You know that feeling when the air turns crisp and all you want to do is soak up every bit of coziness the season has to offer? I live for it. But after six (!) autumns of sharing here on the blog, I realized I have a whole treasure trove of Fall ideas tucked away in the archives. So, I decided to make myself a fancy coffee, curl up on the sofa, and do what I love most-look back on all the simple projects, recipes, and little touches that have made our home feel like a Fall sanctuary over the years.
Think of this as my personal scrapbook for you: a collection of my very favorite ways to celebrate the season. Whether you’re looking for a front porch refresh, a simple craft, or a recipe that makes the whole house smell like heaven, it’s all right here. I hope it fills you with as much inspiration and joy as it did for me to put it together.
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The Cozy Fall Archives: A Collection of My Favorite Ideas
So, come on in and get comfortable! I’ve gathered all my best ideas from over the years and sorted them into the categories below. Whether you’re looking to craft, bake, or simply make your space a little snugglier, you’ll find your inspiration right here. Think of it as my greatest hits of coziness, all in one place!
Category 1: The Cozy Cottage Entrance
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and that’s especially true for your home in the Fall! Your front porch and entryway are the first things you and your guests see, whispering a warm “welcome home” before anyone even steps inside. Here are a few of my favorite ways to create an inviting entrance that celebrates the season.
Add A Vintage Touch!
See how I used vintage pieces to create a rustic seasonal touch to my Fall porches.
One of my very favorite ways to add instant character and warmth is by incorporating vintage pieces. Look for old metal baskets, weathered wooden crates, or a rustic step ladder.
I love tucking a mix of pumpkins and gourds into a vintage metal basket-it adds height and texture in the most charming way.
An old crate turned on its side becomes a perfect display shelf for potted mums, while a humble vintage chair offers a cozy spot for an extra-large pumpkin. These pieces tell a story and keep the decor from feeling too new or perfect, which is the heart of cottage style!
A Curated List of Vintage Pieces for Your Porch
The perfect vintage find adds soul and a sense of history to your fall porch. Keep an eye out for these treasures on your next thrifting adventure:
- Weathered Wooden Crates & Boxes: Perfect for stacking, they add height and are ideal for displaying pumpkins, mums, or gourds.
- Galvanized Metal Buckets & Tubs: Fantastic for holding a bounty of pumpkins, corn stalks, or even firewood. Their rustic charm is undeniable.
- Vintage Ladders (both step and wooden rung): Lean them against the house to hang blankets, drape fairy lights, or display a fall garland.
- Old Farm Tools & Implements: A worn rake, a rustic shovel, or a set of antlers can become a unique, textural focal point when nestled among your greenery.
- Antique Wooden Chairs or a Bench: Even if it’s a little wobbly, a vintage chair provides a charming spot for a pot of Fall flowers and a large, show-stopping pumpkin.
- Stoneware Crocks & Jugs: Their substantial presence is great for anchoring a corner. Use them as a vase for dried grasses or branches.
- Old Windows & Shutters: Prop them up behind your arrangements to add instant architecture and a pop of vintage color or chippy paint.
- Metal Wagons & Wheelbarrows: A quintessential find for a rustic fall display, offering a beautiful container for a whole harvest scene.
Add a Welcoming Wreath
A beautiful wreath sets the tone for all the coziness waiting inside.This simple DIY wreath made with foraged flowers brings a natural, rustic touch to the front door.
Could it even be a Cottage on Bunker Hill Fall without a DIY wreath on the door? It’s the quintessential welcome hug for your home and my favorite way to kick off the season. Over the years, I’ve made almost fifty of them, from foraged greenery to classic Christmas. The one you see above was made entirely from garden clippings. I’ll let you in on a secret, wreaths are my favorite thing to craft!
Bringing It All Together on a Small Porch
Make your entrance the star of the season!
Now, if you’re working with a smaller space like I often am, you might be wondering how to fit all this coziness onto a petite porch or stoop. I’ve gathered all my very best tips, tricks, and favorite ideas into one comprehensive guide specifically for making a small front porch feel incredibly warm and welcoming. It’s the ultimate resource for maximizing your space without sacrificing an ounce of style.
Category 2: Heart of the Home
The living room and kitchen are where we truly live during the Fall whether it’s curling up with a book, sipping coffee, or gathering with family. Here are some of my favorite ideas!
Make The Mantel The Main Character
The heart of this space is often the fireplace mantel. It’s your home’s prime real estate for creating a cozy focal point! In one of my favorite styling sessions.
I created three completely different fall looks for the same mantel to show just how versatile your space can be.
A few of my go-to mantel styling secrets from that post:
- Layer, Layer, Layer: Start with a foundational piece like a large mirror or art, then build outwards with vases, candles, and objects of varying heights.
- Incorporate Natural Texture: Think wood dough bowls, woven rattan, or a simple bundle of dried wheat.
- Embrace the Glow: Twinkling fairy lights or a cluster of pillar candles add instant warmth and ambiance for those long autumn evenings.
See the full transformation and get all the details to recreate these looks in your own home:
Create a Cozy Fall Gallery Wall
Instant charm without alot of effort!
One of the fastest ways to infuse your home with seasonal charm is through art. A Fall-themed gallery wall brings warmth, personality, and a touch of nostalgia to any room. A few years ago, I designed a collection of nature-inspired prints with . The best part? I still love them, and they are yours to download for free! It’s one of my favorite gifts to this community: an easy, affordable way to create a stunning focal point that feels uniquely you.
Style Your Shelves with What You Have
Shelves, cabinets, and bookcases are fun spots to add a touch of Autumn. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top, suble touches of Fall make an impact too!
True cozy style isn’t about buying new things every season, it’s about shopping your own home! Some of my favorite Fall transformations happen when I get creative with items I already own. In this post, I challenged myself to decorate my home without spending a single dime.
By simply rearranging, adding a few natural elements like pinecones, and creating some natural feather art, the space felt completely refreshed and seasonally appropriate. It’s a wonderful reminder that a little creativity can make a big impact.
A few of my favorite no-cost cozy tricks:
- Swap Your Textiles: Instantly signal the season by trading light linens for chunky knit throws and plaid or velvet pillows.
- Rotate Your Art: Switch out summery prints for moodier landscapes, abstracts, or black-and-white photos to create a cozy atmosphere.
- Restyle Your Surfaces: Clear off a bookshelf or console and restyle it with a “new-to-you” collection of items gathered from other rooms in your house.
- Shop Your Own Home: Rediscover forgotten decor, like a pitcher from a high cabinet or a tray from your bedroom, and give it a starring role in your living space.
Category 3: Simple & Soulful Fall Crafts.
There’s something so special about making something with your own hands. It doesn’t have to be complicated to be beautiful. These are a few of my most-loved craft projects that bring the quiet, textural beauty of the season indoors. They’re perfect for a relaxing afternoon and add a heartfelt, handmade touch to your decor.
DIY Felt Leaf Garland
Can crafts be cozy? I think this one proves it.
This is the ultimate cozy-making project! It’s also on of the most popular DIY projects for Fall on Cottage on Bunker Hil. Draping this soft, textural garland over a mirror, mantel, or shelf instantly adds a layer of warmth and handmade charm.
Easy Felt Leaf Stems
Here is a quick & easy way to fill a vase this Fall. Easy to personalize with your favorite Fall color palette.
For a quicker version of the same cozy vibe, create a few individual felt leaves and tuck them into a vase or weave them into your existing faux greenery. It’s the simplest way to add a soft, organic touch anywhere in your home.
A Natural & Timeless Centerpiece
For a craft that brings the essence of the harvest right to your table, nothing is simpler or more stunning than a bundle of dried wheat. It’s a nod to rustic tradition with a clean, modern feel. This is one of those projects that looks far more expensive and intricate than it actually is, and it brings the most beautiful, warm texture to your dining table or kitchen island.
Category 4: Comfort from the Kitchen
Is there anything better than the way a cozy meal can make a house feel like a home? The aroma of something simmering in the slow cooker or a spiced loaf baking in the oven is the very definition of fall comfort. These are a few of my go-to recipes that have become beloved traditions in our cottage kitchen.
Hearty Slow Cooker Beef Stew
There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of hearty stew on a chilly Fall day!
This is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it comfort food. It fills the house with the most incredible aroma and is always so welcoming on a chilly evening.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Make your home smell like Fall by baking a loaf of this delicious pumpkin bread. This one is for my chocolate lovers!
A slice of this moist, spiced bread with a cup of coffee or tea is a simple Fall pleasure. The mini chocolate chips make it feel like a special treat!
Chicken Salad With A Twist
I gave classic chicken salad a New England upgrade with a quick cranberry mayo. It’s the sweet and tangy twist that makes these sandwiches so memorable.
This isn’t your ordinary chicken salad! The cranberry mayo adds a sweet and tangy flavor that feels perfectly festive for a lovely autumn lunch.
Category 5: Fall Traditions & Lifestyle
For me, Fall is about so much more than just decor, it’s a feeling, especially here in New England. It’s a shift in rhythm. After the busy, sun-drenched days of summer gardening and outdoor projects, Fall invites us to slow down.
It’s found in the quiet joy of our simple rituals: a drive to see the brilliant foliage, the unbeatable taste of a warm, fresh apple cider donut from the farm, and the deep contentment of a quiet evening at home. These are the moments that truly define the season for us.
Fall In New England
Come along with me on a visual journey through our corner of New England! This post is a love letter to the season, filled with stunning foliage and the cozy spots that make autumn here so magical.
Capture the Magic: Simple Fall Photography Tips
I thought that I would share some of my best Fall photography tips, and yes they work with phone camera just fine!
Part of embracing the season is capturing its beauty! Whether you’re sharing on Instagram or just saving memories for yourself, a few simple tricks can make your autumn photos shine. Here are my go-to tips for photographing pumpkins and Fall scenes.
Jennifer’s Fall Photography Tips:
- Seek Soft, Natural Light: Avoid harsh overhead sun. The golden hour: just after sunrise or before sunset provides the most flattering, warm glow.
- Create a Cozy Background: Use simple, textured backdrops like a weathered wooden board, a chunky knit blanket, or a neutral wall to let your subject be the star.
- Build a Simple Vignette: Style your pumpkin with a few complementary elements, like a small stack of books, a vintage bottle, or a few fallen leaves to add depth and interest.
- Shoot from Different Angles: Don’t just shoot straight on! Get down low for a unique perspective or take an overhead “flat lay” shot to capture an entire arrangement.
- Embrace the Imperfections: A little dirt, a unique shape, or a varied color palette adds character and makes your photos feel authentic and collected.
Welcome Home to Your Coziest Fall
And there you have it, a whole season’s worth of cozy inspiration, gathered from years of celebrating autumn here at the cottage. From the first pumpkin on the porch to the last slice of pumpkin bread, it’s these simple, soulful touches that transform a house into a warm and welcoming home.
I hope this collection has filled you with ideas and reminded you that creating a cozy home doesn’t require a lot of time or money, just a little intention. So light your favorite candle, wrap yourself in a soft blanket, and savor every moment of this beautiful, golden season.
Thank you so much for letting me share my archives with you. Now, I’d love to hear from you! What is one simple Fall tradition that brings you the most joy? Tell me all about it in the comments below!
Wishing you a season filled with warmth and simple pleasures,
xo, Jennifer
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Nothing says Fall like Cider and Donuts, and that one looks delicious!
They make such yummy donuts…and are dangerously close to me!!