Fall is upon us! For EHD, the month of October marks the beginning of our busiest season of the year – and I’m sure you can relate. This time of year is soundtracked by a steady drumbeat of gatherings: Halloween! Dio de los Muertos! Thanksgiving! Diwali! Hanukkah! Kwanzaa! Christmas! New Years! – and the back-to-back nature of the seemingly-endless gatherings can often feel overwhelming.
But it doesn’t need to be that way. A few simple (and budget-friendly!) upgrades can improve both the form and function of your home, just in time for holiday hosting season. I wanted to partner with Wayfair here for four reasons: their selection is almost endless, their pricing can’t be beat, the shipping times are extraordinary, and (most importantly!) they’re an EHD audience favorite. So, without further ado: here are my 15 suggestions to make life in your home a little easier, warmer, and brighter this fall.
For The Pantry
On the hunt for a plastic-free food storage alternative? Look no further than this solid wood bread box. It brings a nice hit of vintage charm and it serves as a welcome home for the crusty loaf you scored at the farmer’s market last weekend. Pro tip: stash it next to the coffee maker so any guests can treat themselves to an easy breakfast, should they rise before you.
For The Kitchen
If you’re going to be working in the kitchen this holiday season, consider investing in a classic kitchen rail. It can free up some crucial countertop space, but it also looks so. darn. pretty! We’ve traditionally opted for solid brass rails, but these stainless steel alternatives are similarly sturdy and more reasonably priced. The look for less, indeed!
For The Entry
Take it from me: you do not want your guest’s wet winter coats, umbrellas, and bags piled upon your freshly-laundered sheets. Upgrade your entryway with a classic peg rail for a clean, simple, streamlined storage solution. If you need a little extra space, consider an option with a built-in shelf – here’s a sleek modern version, and here’s a more traditional farmhouse-style shelf/rail combo.
For The Bar Shelves
Stylist hack: in a pinch, colored glassware always elevates a space. Try it for yourself – cover up those amber hobnail glasses with your finger and compare. See how much life they bring to this bar area? It’s funny: it really is always the littlest things that make your home feel finished. This set of 6 hobnail glasses are identical, and they’ll only set you back $29 – they might just be the pop your shelf needs to take your styling to the next level. (Your guests will love the high-end restaurant feel, too. Total win/win.)
For A Guest Bed
Nothing says “fall” like a solid wool blanket – doubly so if it’s been crafted in a seasonal tone, like this rich plum. I like these blankets for a few reasons: their generous size (55″ x 72″), their all-wool construction, their variety of prints and colors, and their reasonable prices. You could stash it in the guest room, but I have a feeling that you’re going to want to keep this one for yourself.
For The Awkward Space
The easiest way to fill the awkwardly-sized problem space on your wall? Add a perfectly-scaled mirror. It almost looks custom, offers a ton of function (you can never have enough full-size mirrors if you share your home with others – we always need them at the same time, don’t we?), and, as always, Wayfair’s pricing can’t be beat: you can grab this chic all-glass and metal dupe for only $93.
For Any Shelf
I’m heartbroken to say it: not all of us have the luxury of scoring weird stuff at our local flea markets. It’s not fair! But alas: it turns out you can grab a near-perfect dupe for this slinky sculpture – an EHD go-to styling piece that now lives with Mallory – for only $24. It’s fun, unexpected, and the perfect finishing touch to add a little height and whimsy to any shelf or surface without overpowering the vignette. If I could only grab one piece of shelf decor from Wayfair, it would be the slinky. EVERY TIME. Instantly memorable.
For…Everywhere!
Nothing beats sinking your toes into a warm sheepskin rug on a brisk Sunday morning. NOTHING! It’s one of those little luxuries that can take your morning mood from dark and glum to comforted and cozy. Flank the sides of your guest bed (or your own bed, TBH) for a spa-like experience; toss one on the back of a chair or sofa to signal the changing of the seasons; or drape one across a bench at the bottom of your bed for a sublime shoe-donning experience every morning. You can never go wrong here – they’re a simple, dreamy upgrade.
For The Family Room
In more casual rooms, consider swapping your art lights in favor of an articulating sconce. They’re a bit less precious, more utilitarian, and they bring more warm, ambient light to a chilly fall evening. I can’t imagine curling up in a cozier spot on a rainy day – can you?
For The First Impression
For some instant impact, trade your entry rug for one with a classic pattern in a fall hue. You can’t go wrong with a stripe, but this year, I’m loving this earthy plaid – the tone is so rich and pretty. (If you want to take your entry to the next level, search for a rug that echoes the colors of your outdoor decor! The continuity between spaces leaves a great first impression with your visitors. “How cohesive and beautiful this home is,” they’ll whisper to each other. What could be better?
For The Media-Obsessed
If you’re a DIY pro, you can check out Bowser’s step-by-step magazine rack instructions here. But if you, like me, are a little less than handy, might I suggest this minimal, Scandi-style magazine rack? Sure, it’s technically a kids’ bookshelf – but NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW. (And honestly, isn’t it a little cooler this way? Nothing beats some creative reuse!) Fill the shelves with your copies of Elle Decor, House Beautiful, or Dwell for the chicest periodical storage in town.
For The Chef
My favorite kitchen/dining upgrade? A pair of sculptural salt and pepper grinders. These lacquered wood Bobbin-shaped mills come in 12 cheery colors that’ll bring a jolt of life to your kitchen and joy to your dining table. Added bonus: these make an INCREDIBLE host gift, if you’re looking for a little thank you gift for your friends or family this season!
For The Dining Room
Sometimes, a hit of red is all you need to brighten your spirits as the days get shorter. (Side note: I don’t want to say we called the “unexpected red” trend in 2019, but, well…we totally called it.) We used a vintage enamel pendant to bring a jolt of color to our Griffith Park project, but you can grab the same look (for only $60!) with this modern metal pendant.
For The Centerpiece
When in doubt, nix the centerpiece in favor of a cluster of bud vases. It’ll take no time, but it looks like a million bucks. You can collect these over time, or you could grab a curated set in a seasonally-appropriate color palette (this set of 8 stoneware vases is only $49!) If you want to get REALLY ambitious, toss a few grocery store blooms in each vessel and send them home with guests after a long, lazy dinner party.
For The Living Room
The next few months are hectic enough – who has time to stress about sofa styling? Make it easy on yourself. Opt for an extra-long lumbar (or two!) in a pattern that won’t show mess. I like this $46 option by Jean Stoffer, because you can zip off the cover for spot cleaning (an essential for anyone hosting kids – those hands are touching everything!).
What say you – any other easy swaps you’d recommend?
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Make Your Home Fall-Ready With 7 Simple Tricks (Using All Target)