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The Styling Project

Autumnal Styling: Warm and Cosy Home Decor

1. Rich, Earthy Tones

  • Go for burnt orange, deep red, mustard yellow, forest green, and chocolate brown.
  • Accent with metallics like copper or brushed gold for a hint of warmth.

2. Layered Neutrals

  • Use creamy whites, beiges, and greys as a calming base.
  • Layer with warm shades to add depth and seasonal richness.

3. Chunky Knits & Soft Fabrics

  • Add throw blankets in wool, fleece, or sherpa.
  • Swap lighter summer pillows for velvet, tweed, or corduroy covers.

4. Rugs That Ground

  • Lay down plush, warm-toned rugs—even over existing rugs for extra texture.
  • Choose natural materials like jute or wool in layered, lived-in styles.

5. Harvest Accents

  • Decorate with pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, and dried wheat.
  • Use bowls, trays, or baskets to display seasonal finds like apples or acorns.

6. Wreaths & Garlands

  • Drape fall foliage garlands across mantels or shelves.
  • Hang a wreath with autumn leaves, berries, or eucalyptus on your door or above a fireplace.

7. Create Ambient Glow

  • Use warm-toned bulbs, fairy lights, or lanterns for soft lighting.
  • Add candles in glass hurricanes or votives—bonus if they’re scented.

8. Signature Autumn Scents

  • Choose cosy aromas like cinnamon, clove, vanilla, pumpkin spice, or cedarwood.
  • Use candles, wax melts, or oil diffusers to warm your home.

Sue Roche

Meet Sue Roche

The Styling Project is led by Sue Roche, who founded the business in 2015 after a career in graphic design. Eleven years on she is still the person walking through most of the properties we style, and she personally quotes around 95 per cent of the work we take on.

Sue’s design background gave her a strong grounding in colour, balance and proportion, all of which carry directly into styling a home for sale. Her view is that the rest of it is learnt by doing. After more than 7,500 properties she has a very good sense of what will photograph well, what buyers respond to, and when a room needs less rather than more.