How I made my room cozy for the fall

Life

Oct 22

Sleep. Wake up. Go to school or work. Come home. Finish homework. Sleep. Repeat.

For years, many of us moved through life repeating the same routine, day after day, week after week. Most of us spent a fraction of our day actually living in our own houses, and then March of 2020 hit and all of our lives seemed to stop.

Suddenly, we were confined to our houses, staring at the same walls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I realized the occasional trip to the grocery store was the only difference in scenery I would get to see for the next couple of months.

In September 2020, I started online school, and my daily Zoom classes felt never-ending. As a lifelong member of the introvert community, I loved being able to roll out of bed, put on a sweatshirt and log onto class without even needing to leave my room. I loved my bedroom. It was my sanctuary, and the uncertain state of the world outside just added to my desire to stay inside.

However, after I spent an unhealthy amount of time scrolling through Pinterest and seeing cozy, fall-themed decor, my bedroom felt empty and cold.

I wanted to recreate what I saw without spending a ton of money. So, I did what anyone in my situation would do: I spent even more time scrolling through Pinterest and even created a Pinterest board of my own. Here’s how I brought it to life:

1. Candles and diffusers

No space is complete without an aroma to set the mood. It can be difficult finding the right scents, so start with seasonal classics such as pumpkin spice, warm vanilla and frosted cranberry.

Personally, I prefer candles over diffusers since I find comfort in the soft glow of candlelight, but both are great options as long as you find a scent that you love.

2. Accent pieces

Use accent pieces to add emphasis to the character of your space without taking away the personality of your room.

As an avid reader and writer, I have a stack of books on my desk. To others, it may seem disorganized, but in my eyes, the towering stack of unread novels and half-filled journals seemed fitting.

Additionally, my love for stationery led to searching for a little container that I filled with markers, an assortment of colored pens and highlighters and any writing tool I could possibly need (I even have a paintbrush in there). In recognition of fall and Halloween, I also bought a plastic, glittery pumpkin and a vase with fall-colored leaves for my desk.

3. Lights

If there is one thing that makes my head hurt more than the words “You have an exam on Friday,” it’s bright, white lights.

Some people prefer white lights, and that’s okay, but personally, I love yellow lights. I did not want to change the overhead bulbs, so I fished out a box of yellow string lights in the back of my garage. The lights I used were mini Christmas lights that my parents had bought years ago, but you can find string lights all over the internet.

I hung the lights up across my walls using a box of Command Strips, which are a great investment if you don’t want to accidentally peel your wallpaper or poke holes in your wall.

4. Cozy comforts

Blankets and pillows. I repeat, blankets and pillows. There is nothing better than a soft pillow and blanket that emits comfort, especially in the cold fall weather.

Personally, I love fuzzy blankets, but some individuals prefer a down comforter or even just a sheet. Whatever your preference, find a color or scheme that looks warm and comforting to you and find a blanket and pillow that matches your scheme.

My personal rule

Whenever I think of fall, I think of the warmth and comfort of coffee and sweatshirts that will come with the cold and blustery weather. On a chilly, fall day, the only thing that makes me happier than a cup of hot chocolate and a good book is the warmth and comfort of a cozy room.

But if there's one piece of advice I can give you that you should always remember, it’s that one individual’s idea of a cozy room may not be your idea of a cozy room. Find what works for you.

Header photo by (Julie Aagaard/Pexels)