15 Tricks for Making Your Home Feel 10x Cozier Just in Time for Fall (No Pumpkins Needed)
Fall is such an evocative season: Think of it, and your mind probably lights up with all sorts of feelings, activities, and aromas, from supersoft throw blankets and cinnamon and nutmeg-scented drinks to crisp morning air and chunky sweaters. While store aisles fill up with autumnal decor this time of year, it can be overwhelming (not to mention pricey) to buy items that you’ll have to find a place to store after the season ends.
But there are so many ways to dive into cozy season without buying pumpkin garland or ghost mugs, if you don’t want to (though they are very cute). From simmer pots to tea cabinets, here are 15 little tricks for how to make your house smell like fall, look like fall, and feel like the cozy haven of your dreams with things you probably already have lying around — no tiny pumpkins needed.
1. Make a simmer pot.
Put your kitchen scraps to good use with a fall simmer pot. All you need is a saucepan or slow cooker, and a handful of fragrant ingredients (think: cinnamon sticks, citrus peels, bay leaves, and apple peels) to warm up your kitchen and fill your space with an irresistible aroma.
2. Turn off the big light.
And turn on the little ones. While summer’s naturally bright light may have flooded your home, fall and winter bring a little less in the way of sunshine. To compensate, you may want to flip on the overhead lighting. But hold back — the “big light” can be harsh. Turn on the little lamps around your home instead (you can even add one to your shower, if you’re feeling adventurous), and you’ll notice the rooms feel instantly warmer.
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3. Do the crossword.
I do the crossword on my phone most days, but when I’m settling into cozy season, I love to work on an analog version. Pick up a book of crossword puzzles, a magazine, or newspaper and fill it out while sipping on your morning coffee or tea. Leave the paper out on your table when you’re done to keep the coffee shop aesthetic going — and to let any guests weigh in with their historical trivia and pop culture deep cuts.
4. Open the windows to let that autumn air in.
Is there anything nicer than the crisp air that a new season ushers in? Practice the German habit of lüften by cracking open your windows to let that the fresh air in, ridding your home of any staleness and making it smell like fall in the most natural of ways. (You can even try doing it before bed, for a chillier environment that could lead to better sleep.)
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5. Put out your comfy things.
Bring cozy season home by putting all your comfiest supplies on display — and in easy reach. Keep your softest socks by your nightstand, pull your chunky sweaters out from underbed storage, put your flannel sheets on your mattress, and bring out your throw blankets. I love to keep a pair of house shoes on my shoe shelf (currently obsessed with these chef-inspired clogs from Snibbs) to pad around my apartment and take out the recycling without letting my feet get cold.
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6. Stock your tea cabinet.
Nothing makes for a cozier day in than a mug that stays full of steamy tea. Fill your cabinet with your favorite teas, whether it’s a soothing sleepy-inducing blend or a spiced cinnamon brew that will make the air around you smell like fall, too.
7. Bake a treat.
Whether it’s a sweet potato cheesecake or a bubbling dish of apple crisp, crank up your oven and make one of these cozy fall recipes. It’ll warm up the room, make your home smell like a bakery, and if you have leftovers, you can bring some treats to your neighbors or friends to spread the joy.
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8. Put out a coffee table puzzle.
Cozy season is the indisputably best time to tuck into a giant jigsaw puzzle. Leave one out on your table (if you can sacrifice the surface) and work on it every night, or invite some friends over to solve it together. There are so many gorgeous puzzle options out there — pick a still life that speaks to your soul to encourage soothing nights in.
9. Try a pantry challenge.
A no-spend pantry challenge is not only a great way to save some money on groceries, but chances are you have a backlog of shelf-stable goods like pumpkin, beans, or canned vegetables — which can make for some delicious autumnal recipes. Think: bean chili, pumpkin pie, or shepherd’s pie.
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10. Light a fall-scented candle.
What easier way to make a room smell great than by lighting a scented candle? The perfect fall candle really depends on your own olfactory preferences and what you associate with the season — maybe it’s a classic pumpkin-spice candle, a smoky cinnamon blend, or a clove and tobacco leaf infused version. Whichever you go for, this is a two-second trick for how to make your house smell like fall.
11. Swap out your hand soaps.
You don’t have to put pumpkin window clings on your bathroom mirror or get a new ghost-patterned hand towel for your kitchen to make the spaces feel autumnal. Simply change your summertime coconut or strawberry-scented hand soaps for something a little more reminiscent of fall. This orange spice soap smells great, as does my all-time affordable cherry-almond scented favorite.
12. Put a record on.
If you have a turntable and a vintage vinyl collection, brush off the dust and put a record on. There’s something so quintessentially cozy about the crackling sound of vinyl clicking into place and filling the room with some moody music.
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13. Eat by candlelight.
One of my favorite ways to romanticize everyday life? Lighting candles during dinner, whether it’s a multistep recipe or a grilled cheese sandwich. For an experience that’s even more indulgent, I use this Luma electric lighter that makes lighting my taper candles feel so luxurious — and it looks pretty just sitting on my table, too.
14. Make a dopamine menu.
If settling into cozy season also means feeling wary of experiencing some winter blues, build yourself a dopamine menu — or a list of small, medium, and larger ways to boost your dopamine throughout the day — to make your days in feel more luxurious and less like being cooped up. One small idea: Try putting a supersoft rug beside your bed so the first surface you step onto each morning is comforting.
15. Spritz a fall-scented spray.
If company is on the way over and your home still doesn’t smell enough like the set of Gilmore Girls, a quick spritz might just do the trick. Try something like this Crisp Fall Breeze scent from Febreeze or this $6 Orange and Spice room spray from Trader Joe’s. I’m personally partial to a pillow spritz — though you may not want anything too sweet or pumpkin-scented, this vanilla and amber linen spray from Dedcool is a lovely way to fall asleep in your newly tucked-in flannel sheets each night.
Further Reading
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