20 Fall Trends Interior Designers Are Already Buying Into

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updated Mar 31, 2021

STACY ZARIN GOLDBERG; DESIGN: ALISON GIESE

Fall is upon us: As we say goodbye to the sunshine-filled days of summer and hello to the cozy nights of autumn, we're swapping our lightweight linens for plush wool throws, stashing away our citrus-scented candles in favor of tobacco and cedar, and leaning into seasonal-inspired hues (think terra cotta, mustard, and olive green).

To find out which trends the pros are backing, we tapped Bobby Berk, Brigette Romanek of Romanek Design Studio, Kate Lester of Kate Lester Interiors, and more to weigh in on the best fall design trends they're already buying into this season. From textured fabrics to cane furnishings, rattan materials, and rust-hued accessories, these are the trends you need to know about this season.

Get inspired by designer-endorsed styles that'll have you welcoming the cooler nights in a breeze.

01 of 20

Find Textured Fabrics

DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN; DESIGN: BRIGETTE ROMANEK

"Fall is all about fabrics; bouclé, fake furs, and other heavy linens," says Brigette Romanek of Romanek Design Studio. "While everyone is at home, they want to feel cozy, safe, and warm. These fall textures have stood the test of time, and quite successfully walked that line between old-fashioned and stylish for many years," she adds. "It’s similar to the way animal print was once considered tacky, but now we know the right animal print can be so spectacular and classy. They’re truly timeless!"

02 of 20

Style With Rattan and Cane

JESSICA ALEXANDER; DESIGN: KERRY VASQUEZ

"A trend that's been here for a while—and shows no signs of going anywhere—is rattan and cane," says Kerry Vasquez of Kerry Vasquez Design. "Personally, I love this look. It's the perfect balance of casual and elegant. And because this trend is actually a classic material, even though it's trending right now, it will always be in fashion."

France & Son Jeanneret Armchair $650 $498

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03 of 20

Get Sculptured

"Form is taking a front seat in furniture design right now," says Vasquez. "Anything remotely chunky, sculptural, or curved is very en vogue—all those things together, even better!" Mixing various curved lines together in the same space adds depth to the room, like these rounded sconces paired with geometric artwork.

Aerin Selfoss Sconce $569

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04 of 20

Get Inspired by Nature

For a fun upgrade that makes a statement, swap out one of your light fixtures for a special piece of décor. This deer antler chandelier brings some serious cabin vibes to this dining area, while freshly-changing leaves are styled underneath it. Minimal décor like the wood bowl on the table and colorful throw pillows carry the fall theme throughout the room.

05 of 20

Texture the Walls

"Textured Roman Clay or limewash walls offer depth—and a feeling of the warmth you thought you could only feel in an old Parisian loft," recommends Mandy Cheng of Mandy Cheng Design. "It is magical at all times of the day." Opt for textured paint to bring depth to your walls year-round with a style that's undeniably fall-inspired.

Portola Paints Roman Clay in Patagonia $Price Upon Request

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06 of 20

Choose Traditional Cabinet Hardware

"Traditional-style cabinetry may in part be coming back because people are stuck at home [in the colder months], and desperately want to freshen their kitchen without gutting the space—which I think is a wonderful solution," says Cheng. "A fresh coat of paint on your cabinets and some new, fun hardware if you have the budget, regardless of the style, will instantly make your kitchen feel on-trend."

Amerock Bar Pull $5

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07 of 20

Style in Rich, Deep, Saturated Hues

EMA PETER PHOTOGRAPHY; DESIGN: GILLIAN SEGAL

"I'm loving a break from neutrals, but these deeper tones can almost read as a neutral for the color adverse," explains Gillian Segal of Gillian Segal Design. "A great gateway color for people who are all about the neutrals is Preference Red by Farrow & Ball. Paint your walls, a piece of furniture, or even your kitchen cabinetry."

Farrow & Ball Preference Red $137 $110

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08 of 20

Use Rust Tones

"Rust is a classic color that is perfect for fall," offers interior designer Stefani Stein. "I love it in a mohair velvet, textured linen drapery, or a chic, tonal print wall covering." Style rust-colored décor with dark and light accents for contrast that makes your statement color pop.

09 of 20

Plush Up Your Bedding

"When the seasons start to change, so does my bedding," says Kate Lester of Kate Lester Interiors. "I pull out the extra fluffy and comfy duvet covers, and add a warm wool or cotton-blend throw to the foot of each bed. Not only does it add texture and dimension, but it’s super functional for guests and kids who want extra snuggles during the colder months!"

10 of 20

Opt for Earthy-Scented Candles

"To me, fall is all about the senses. Bring out your favorite scented candle, and put a thicker, cozier blanket at the foot of the bed (or in a basket near the sofa for easy cuddling)," says Geise. Opt for fall-inspired candle scents like tobacco, cinnamon, apple, and pine for a boost of outdoor smells inside.

11 of 20

Have a Little Fun

If you're a lover of classic fall traditions and decorations but want to keep it looking sleek, don't be afraid to have a little fun with your seasonal design. In this space, simple black elements don't overwhelm the room's neutral color scheme—but they do add plenty of playful character. Cushy blankets and plenty of texture make this corner cozy and inviting.

12 of 20

Try Muddy Jewel Tones

"I really lean into the muddy jewel colors. Eggplant, cocoa, mustard (you can see I also associate all good things with food!) but in doses with warm whites, putty, bone. Those softer, brownish whites keep it from feeling too heavy," says Giese.

13 of 20

Use Natural Elements

"As we are spending more and more time inside, it's important to bring some of the outside in," recommends designer Bobby Berk. "I love doing that through woven and natural materials: Rattan, caning, bamboo, rough woods, et cetera. The layering of tones brings a much-needed warmth to any space."

14 of 20

Embrace Terra Cotta Tones

SARA LIGORRIA-TRAMP; DESIGN: BRADY TOLBERT

"Fall typically means seeing the leaves turn that beautiful red and orange tone as we head into a new season, but I also love bringing it into my décor," says designer Brady Tolbert. "I typically lean very neutral and minimal in my color palette, but I love to bring in the terra cotta and rust tones for fall to warm things up. Whether that is some art, a throw, a pillow, or even a flatweave rug that you can roll out on top of your existing one like I did here—I love using the rich hues during fall."

15 of 20

Get Cozy

ANNE BLODGETT; DESIGN: MOLLY KIDD OF LIGHT & DWELL

"Cozier materials such as sherpa, velvet, leather, and cashmere are great to include in the home during the fall," says Molly Kidd of Light & Dwell. "I always recommend bringing in natural elements from outside as arrangements. The outdoors set the tone for the season's color palette."

16 of 20

Try Out Fall Scents

"We often focus on a sense of sight and touch when it comes to interior design, but don't forget the sense of smell," advises Mel Bean of Mel Bean Interiors. "One of my favorite ways to get into the fall spirit is adding candles that smell like fall." Cinnamon brooms are also a traditional favorite for bringing the scents of the season into your home, like this rustic living room styled with candles and a broom by the fireplace.

17 of 20

Consider the Color Scheme

ALYSSA ROSENHECK; DESIGN: MEL BEAN OF MEL BEAN INTERIORS

"I am a huge fan of rich color palettes: Golds, rust, olive green, and navy for the season," says Kidd. Pair fall-colored accents like throw pillows or décor with deep hues. Here, bold black curtains draw the eye up toward the ceiling beams while a pop of color comes in rust pillows on the bed.

18 of 20

Bring the Outdoors Inside

"Bring the outdoor color inside by buying or clipping branches with turning leaves," says Giese. For a natural look, use a few leafy cuttings from trees in your space. Style them in a textured planter or vase to finish the look, and choose leaves with plenty of texture to create visual interest. Set atop this island in a cabin with fresh-baked goods, we'd love to curl up in a sweater and gaze at the changing leaves outside in this kitchen.

19 of 20

Stay Soft With Velvet

"Going into the fall, we are seeing the continued interest in bouclé," explains Anne Carr of Anne Carr Design. "It began [mainly] only in off-whites, but now we are seeing bouclés in various shades. There has also been a resurgence in jewel tones, especially in rich velvets and mohairs that add drama to any fall décor project."

20 of 20

Dry the Final Blooms

As your summer garden starts to die down for fall, cut a few blooms from your favorite outdoor plants and dry the fall flowers to style them in a vase that can last all season. Let the leaves start to change before you take cuttings, and choose flowers that are naturally colored in fall hues. Tie them together in a bouquet, or place them in vases or pots for more of a houseplant look.