12 Ways Angelenos Make Their Home Feel Like Fall

Crisp, cosy weather is a state of mind.

When I was growing up along the southern central coast of California, every time autumn came around a thrilling rush of excitement would take hold, swiftly followed by a mini wave of disappointment. You see, the state largely has a Mediterranean climate and while some rain does fall from time to time and temperatures can dip down, generally speaking, it’s pretty warm and sunny all year round. For many people, this very fact is motivation enough to move here.

But for me, a die-hard holiday enthusiast, it made getting in the spirit of the season a feat. (Truly nothing more mood-killing, in my opinion, than waking up on Christmas morning to 75 degrees and a clear blue sky, but to each their own).

I lived in Los Angeles for 10 years prior to relocating to New York City and during that time I honed my skills for creating a festive fall ambience regardless of whether it was tank top weather outside or not. This is when I began to learn the suggestive power of environment—if you build a crisp, cosy space you will feel crisp and cosy.

Ahead, in no particular order, 12 ways to infuse your abode with a dose of feel-good fall vibes without having to prematurely light the fireplace or snuggle up in a cashmere blanket.

1. Prep a festive playlist for home and the car

If you took one glance at my Spotify Wrapped (I wouldn’t let you, far too embarrassing) a common thread would be woven throughout: Cosy vibes. Autumnal jazz (Billie Holiday, Oscar Peterson, Vince Guaraldi, Miles Davis, and so on) helps make morning car commutes less soul-sucking and evenings cooking dinner feel oh-so-snug. Trust me, a go-to playlist for November and December is the best way to kick things off.

2. Fill your home with autumnal aromas

This one seems obvious but it’s important to remember the power of scent. Naturally, you don’t want your home to smell like an apple pie 24/7, but a tasteful candle is the perfect welcome into an abode. But don’t stop there – if you adore the fragrance of pine needles or rosemary, sprinkle seasonal greenery throughout your personal space to keep each room feeling perfectly aligned with the holiday season.

3. Display a bowl of gorgeous gourds

Gourds are a gift! This hard-shelled fruit (not a vegetable – shocking) is apparently edible but the only purpose it has for me come fall is as a colourful display. Not only does this lovely squash-meets-pumpkin species come in a slew of lovely hues and patterns, gourds are also budget-friendly and easy to arrange all over the house. Put them on your table, and scatter them across your kitchen counter, any gourd idea is a good idea.

4. Light a candle, light many candles

While candles are excellent at adding aroma to your home (see tip 2) this idea is less about fragrance and more about visuals. For those living in Los Angeles, lighting a fireplace is simply not a thing. But that doesn’t mean Angelenos don’t want to! Hack the system and strike a match on several candles throughout the house to replicate that lovely glow. Take it up a notch and invest in a cool ceramic candelabra so you can have several taper candles flickering together at once (a recipe for dinner party success!).

5. Create dappled light with sheer curtains

This might seem odd to some, but on those rare autumn mornings when I would wake up in Los Angeles and it would be overcast and raining, I was thrilled. Since this doesn’t happen very often, if you’re working from home and want to feel like it’s a snug fall day, consider hanging sheer white curtains so you can create the illusion of a crisp day without creating a dark, cavernous environment.

6. Add in autumnal patterns, not necessarily materials

If you live somewhere that gets cold in the fall, come October you probably start thinking about pulling out your wool and cashmere home goods. For Angelenos? Not so much. But just because you can’t curl up in an insulating blanket just yet, doesn’t mean you can’t begin to sprinkle in seasonal patterns like plaid. Layer on the check prints and autumnal colour accents to create a charming ambience—no subsequent air conditioner necessary.

7. Craft a fall-friendly tablescape

There are few better areas in the home to signal the arrival of a season than your dining table. You can keep it set every day and once you begin hosting guests, it’ll serve as the perfect focal point of the party. In fact, you can treat the tablescape as a living, breathing work of art that can be swapped and styled throughout the season depending on what you find at the farmer’s market or elsewhere.

8. Drape a few blankets (even if they’re not being used)

Okay, so while you may not technically need a blanket right now, dear Angelenos, there’s something to be said about a textured throw draped over the edge of a couch or armchair. Perfection!

9. Add texture with piled-on throw pillows

If your sofa is sparsely peppered with throw pillows, consider layering on a few more to give it more of a welcoming look. Not only does this align with a fall feel, but it’ll also create more opportunities to play with colour, print, and texture.

10. Pour your morning coffee into something cosy

Simple but effective, an autumnal mug can make 75-degree mornings feel like waking up in a cabin in the woods. You can create a ritual around the process of making your daily coffee or tea that begins with pulling a beautifully made cup out of the cupboard.

12. Rotate in seasonal tea towels and oven mitts

Whether you’re whipping up a roasted pumpkin or brothy white bean and kale soup, any time spent in the kitchen this fall will be more festive with seasonal tea towels and oven mitts in the mix. Look for options crafted in cheery patterns like plaid, or stick with a colour palette of red, orange, or yellow that mirrors the changing leaves outside.

13. Refresh your bathroom essentials

Cultivating an autumnal ambience in your Los Angeles home is all about rituals, and one area of the house that’s great for this is the bathroom. Scrubs! Masks! Oils! Creating a spa-like atmosphere is a pivotal piece in the fall-vibes puzzle. You can also swap in towels and a bath mat that offer a playful colour accent.

13. Display firewood, if only for the vibes

Even if you’re not going to use it, there’s something about an elegant stack of firewood that screams autumnal bliss. If you’ve got a unique nook or crevice in the living room, place a few logs there, otherwise invest in a chic firewood holder to keep the stack contained and easy to move around.