The leaves are falling — and so is the temperature! For many of us, fall brings back wonderful memories of childhood, and it often means visitors and gatherings. With the upcoming holidays, it may be time to swap out some of your light summer decorations and furniture for cozier items that will keep your guests warm and have them feeling right at home. In this article, we’ll discuss five ways you can make your home feel warmer and more inviting this autumn. Read on! 

Throw Blankets 

If you’re looking to add some warmth in your space, throw blankets can do that both literally (by providing something to snuggle with) and metaphorically (by providing an inviting sense of comfort to a room). Draping the right blankets over your couches and chairs can add a reassuring feel, allowing your guests to easily warm themselves if the temperature gets too chilly. There’s just something about a wide, soft chair with a blanket draped over the back that invites you to curl up with a book and a cup of hot cocoa. 

Couches and Chairs 

Don’t make the mistake of getting furniture purely for its aesthetic value. Choosing the right chairs and sofas is one of the most important ways to create a cozy feeling in your space. When looking for the perfect couch or chair, consider elements such as the depth of the piece, the material and the firmness. A deeper chair or sofa lends itself to snuggling with a blanket or a nice book, or watching a movie with the family. Shallow seating has its purpose, but it may not be as accommodating to a cozy space.

The material of your seating is also important. Take inventory of your space and look for materials that will match the other items in your room. Also, consider your lifestyle when choosing the right fabric. If you have pets or kids, a material that easily traps dirt and dander may not be in your best interest. When considering seating for parties, the firmness of a couch or chair is also important ; many people will be sitting on these pieces, so it’s important to ensure that they will last for many holiday gatherings and other get-togethers. 

Ambient Lighting 

Lighting is one of the most important — and most neglected — elements of interior design, and changing it can affect the entire look and feel of a space. Most rooms will already have overhead lighting, sometimes with a ceiling fan. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking this means you have to use the overhead lighting. Curating the right lamps with the right lower-wattage bulbs can set a deeply warm tone for a room. Table lamps also allow for more direct light when reading or writing as the sun begins to set.

Alternatively, consider hanging string lights to give a softer glow throughout the room. When shopping for bulbs, look for a lower wattage with a soft warm glow to invite that autumn coziness into your home ; avoid cool-toned light fixtures that can often create a sense of uninviting coldness. 

Throw Pillows 

It’s no big revelation that throw pillows make great accent pieces — but often we forget their original purpose! Pillows are meant to be comfy and cozy, and adding throw pillows to your space is a great way to make your furniture seem more warm and inviting. Along with throw blankets, pillows make for a great opportunity to create more dynamic layers and textures within your space, which can give a room a much cozier vibe. 

Rugs 

Rugs can be a crucial element for warming up your space, especially if you have hardwood or tile flooring. Depending on your room, you’ll want to consider a number of elements when shopping for rugs. First, don’t make the mistake of choosing a rug that’s too small for the room. If you’re shopping for the living room, make sure your rug is six to eight inches wider than your sofa. Natural fibers also create a “warmer” vibe, but some natural fibers, like jute, aren’t as cozy to the touch. Likewise, a thicker pile can be very cozy but can also be a pain to clean. Ensuring that the rug is not too big or too small, and that it’s the right material and color will lead you to finding the best rug for your new space.

Layering and overlapping rugs would allow you to display multiple sizes and colors in a space, adding a cozy bohemian vibe. Overlapping rugs can also play into the concept of layering textures, adding to the coziness created by mixing and matching various throw pillows and blankets with dynamic, warm patterns. 

How Can Acima Leasing Help 

Whether you want to cozy up your space for family or friends this holiday season, Acima’s lease-to-own solution* is here for you! Acima Leasing can help you shop for thousands of great home-decor and furniture options from stores you know and love. Take advantage of the flexibility of Acima Leasing to have the shopping power you want. If you make the number of lease renewal payments outlined in your lease, or exercise an option to purchase it early at a discount, the property is yours! Bring home the items you need this fall to make your house a cozy home — and with Acima Leasing, you can shop without using credit*.