How Does a Home or Cottage Owner Embrace Fall with Design and Decor?

Embracing Fall 2025: Bringing the Cozy Factor Into Your Home and Cottage

Fall is the season of transition—when the air turns crisp, the light softens, and our focus shifts from the outdoors back to the comforts of home. With cooler weather comes a natural desire to hibernate a little, to surround ourselves with warmth, texture, and environments that insulate us both physically and emotionally. In 2025, interior design trends are leaning into that instinct, offering ways to make our homes feel inviting, layered, and full of comfort—both inside and out.

The Fall 2025 Palette

This year’s fall colours move beyond the expected rusts and pumpkins. Think deep moss greens, warm ochres, and rich clays—tones that evoke the natural world while still feeling modern. Pair them with grounding neutrals like mushroom taupe or soft ivory for balance. Metallic accents in antique brass or aged bronze add just the right amount of glow when natural light wanes.

The tile in our Fenelon Falls Additional Residential Unit (ARU) project is reflective of fall tones in clay and earth tones. Built-in cabinetry also reflects the tones of a fall colour palette that works throughout the year.

Switching out accessories like towels, brings in a fall palette and against a transitional wall treatment provides an interesting and luxurious feel for this shower area.

A mossy green, acts as an accent point in this Balsam Lake entry. With the decorative throw a fall feel can easily be accomplished.

Cozy Textures and Layers

Texture is the hallmark of fall design. Bouclé, mohair, and chunky knits continue to dominate upholstery and throws, while layered rugs—jute beneath wool, or sisal paired with a patterned vintage rug—create warmth underfoot. Wall treatments are getting more tactile, too, with limewash finishes and wood paneling adding depth and dimension. The idea is to create interiors that feel as good to touch as they look.

Wood paneling in our Sturgeon Lake project adds a unique look to this guest house. The tactile and practical choice creates warmth and an insulated feel. The patterned vintage rug adds texture and colour against the otherwise neutral backdrop.

A textured wall in our Clear Lake project invites the passerby to touch and experience the natural granite. Against the shiplap and other room elements, the stone seeks to add a focal point.

A tactile wall example in this home gym project. The long expanse of wall mixes up the room layers and adds an architectural detail to an otherwise dark basement area.

Blankets displayed on an antique ladder, add a cozy layer for this reading nook at Project Nahma.

Furniture and Layout Shifts

As we spend more time indoors, furniture arrangements are becoming cozier and more conversation-driven. Curved sofas, oversized armchairs, and plush ottomans invite gathering and lingering. Designers are also embracing multi-purpose pieces—storage benches, nesting tables, and modular seating—that help declutter while keeping spaces flexible for entertaining or quiet nights in.

This multi-purpose storage bench provides our client with not only storage but with a decorative solution to an otherwise empty corner.

The opposite corner also features a storage bench solution and works over time as extra seating for large gatherings. Throws and pillows provide subtle details.

A burnt orange chair and deep rich colours for throws like burgundy, create contrast and are an easy way to insert fall into a bottom floor entertaining zone. Throw pillows in earthy tones, also signal autumn and can be changed out come spring.

Accent chairs in a deep burgundy tone, work with a large area rug. The raspberry shade allows the furniture to take centre stage against the expansive window curtain wall.

Lighting That Warms the Room

The right lighting sets the mood. For fall, 2025 trends lean toward layered lighting: a mix of soft-glow sconces, shaded table lamps, and candles (real or flameless) that create a cocooning atmosphere. Statement pendant lights in natural materials like rattan or ceramic add sculptural interest while keeping things grounded.

Warm lighting highlighted by a wood ceiling adds cozy luxury and works to create a fifth wall with depth.

Bringing Coziness Outdoors

Fall coziness doesn’t stop at the front door. Extend it outdoors with layered porch décor—think warm-toned planters, lantern lighting, and textured outdoor rugs. Fire pits and patio heaters continue to trend, making it easier to enjoy crisp evenings under the stars. Adding plush cushions and weather-resistant throws turns outdoor seating into an autumn retreat.

A few throws and accessories can extend the outdoor season on into fall. With sunny days cottage owners can still enjoy the outdoors and strategically placed string lighting can enhance a patio area long after the sun has gone down.

Outdoor fabric on bench seating in this back porch, means the cottage owner can still take advantage of fall days and evenings.

An outdoor fireplace means this cottage owner can use their exterior space all year long!

Looking Ahead

Fall design has always been about comfort, but in 2025, it’s also about connection—connection to nature, to each other, and to the rhythms of the seasons. By layering rich textures, playing with natural light, and embracing earthy palettes, you can transform your home into a sanctuary that makes the seasonal transition beautiful.

So as the leaves begin to turn and the nights grow longer, think of your home or cottage as your retreat. With just a few intentional updates, you can welcome the season in style—and wrap yourself in all the cozy vibes fall has to offer.

At Home by Tim + Chris we are always exploring beyond the ordinary. We are excited to continue designing your Kawartha Lakes home and cottage lifestyle! Design, that is driven by us but highly influenced by you!

If you have a design question you would like to submit for the next Town Crier issue, you can send it to the Home by Tim + Chris design team at: info@homebytc.ca

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