Cozy Living Room Ideas on a Budget You’ll Love for Fall

Discover cozy living room ideas on a budget for fall with neutral colors, repurposed decor, and natural touches to transform your space into a warm, comfortable retreat.

Welcome to part II of our fall home tour!

Last week I shared our entryway and kitchen decorated for fall in this blog post. Today, I’m continuing the tour into our living room, to share with you how I styled this space minimally, on a budget.

Can you believe I did not buy one new piece of fall decor for this space this year?! I challenged myself to only use decor that was either already being used as decorations in our home, or something I could find in storage.

It’s a continuation of my decor philosophy for fall 2023; minimalism, sustainability, and affordability. 

In full transparency living in a small home, there is not much storage…and I am out of it. Every closet is bursting at the seams with my hoard of seasonal decorations, so there is NOT much room to store any new purchases (Can you hear Mr. ERH quietly cheering in the background?)!

So, if you’re low on storage space like me or living on a tight budget, I’m going to show you how you can still add the coziness of fall to your living room without a ton of seasonal decorations and without breaking the bank.

25+ Fall Home Tours to Enjoy

Joining me today are more than 25 blogging friends each sharing their own unique & beautiful fall home decor ideas! 

Thank you to Marty of A Stroll Thru Life for organizing such a great event. If you’re joining me from Renae’s tour of 
The Peacock Ridge, thank you so much for stopping by! Renae has a gorgeous home that she has curated with warmth and love.

After you’ve finished with my fall home tour, make sure to head over to Suzy of Worthing Court for her beautiful fall inspired home tour.

At the bottom of this post, you’ll find links to all 25+ home tours.

9 Cozy Living Room Ideas on a Budget for Fall

Fall is the season that invites us to enjoy the inside of our homes again. To snuggle up on the couch with a warm blanket, sip on a hot cup of tea, and embrace the comfort of our home. 

What better place to create that cozy ambiance than in the family room? 

From a warm color palette to natural elements, these tips will help you create an inviting space where you can fully embrace the beauty of the season no matter your personal style.

Build Off Your Living Room Basics

There’s a fundamental principle that often goes overlooked but I feel plays a pivotal role in shaping the overall aesthetic and functionality of your living space; the importance of quality furniture as the foundation. 

Our sectional sofa was an investment, however with it’s quality construction and classic design it will be the foundation for the decor styled in our living room for seasons and years to come. 

Its neutral color provides a versatile canvas for layering a cozy throw blanket and arranging an assortment of throw pillows. 

Investing in timeless furniture is a practical decision that supports the budget friendly and seasonally adaptable transformation of your living room.

Ultimately, quality furniture isn’t just about enhancing the aesthetics of your home, it also elevates the comfort and functionality of your space. A good, comfortable sofa invites you to relax and unwind at the end of a long day! 

So, remember that when it comes to decorating your home, it’s not just about what’s on the surface. It’s about building a foundation of quality that will serve as the backbone of your home decor.

Warm Neutral Color Palette

The perfect way to rotate decor from one season to the next is by embracing a warm, neutral color palette.

Shades like soft beige and creamy whites provide a color scheme that can effortlessly transition from fall to winter and beyond. 

This also applies to the accent pieces and decorations in your living room. Opt for neutral toned cushions, throws, and rugs as the foundation of your decor. 

Then, when fall rolls around, you can easily introduce seasonal colors and textures through less expensive accessories like faux pumpkins, seasonal stems, and artwork. 

The beauty of a neutral palette is its adaptability. Which allows you to make small, cost effective changes that give your living room a fresh, seasonal feel without spending much money.

Thrift Store Finds

Before you head to one of the big box stores for mass produced fall decor, consider heading to your local antique store. 

There’s a sense of authenticity and uniqueness that comes with thrifted finds that’s hard to replicate with store bought items. 

Antique shops often carry timeless pieces that can easily fit into your fall decorated living room. From vintage books and amber glass to natural wood furniture with intricate details, you’ll discover items that add depth and character to your space. 

Vintage pieces not only add visual appeal but also a sense of history and nostalgia that will help your living room have unique style.

Here’s a few of my favorite “fall” vintage pieces to hunt for when I go thrifting.

If you don’t have any antique shops local to you, Etsy is another great resource for unique, vintage finds.

Update Pillow Covers

Changing your pillow covers seasonally is a simple way to give your living room a mini makeover each time the seasons change. 

The great thing about this approach is that you don’t need to buy new pillows! Instead, you reuse the same pillow inserts each time you change the pillow covers.

By doing this, you not only save money (buy not buying the entire pillow) but you also free up valuable storage space in your home, which is essential in our house!

Our closets were overflowing with pillows before I finally realized that all I need are the covers! Now, I just have a couple of small bins that house our seasonal pillow covers. 

For fall, opt for pillow covers with a pop of color in warm, earthy tones like tans, burnt oranges, and muted greens. 

I like to keep the covers on our larger throw pillows the same throughout most of the year and only update a few smaller throw pillows seasonally. Again, this helps to not spend too much on covers while still giving our living room a fresh look. 

Here are a few tips when it comes to shopping for throw pillows for your living room.

Layer Textures

Layering various textures is the secret sauce to creating a cozy atmosphere in the living room, especially during the fall season. 

By incorporating various textural elements, you can instantly transform your home into a warm space. 

Throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to add depth and character to your living room. Mix and match pillows of varying textures for maximum coziness. For fall, think of materials like linen, cotton, wool, and boucle for visual interest and comfort.

Throw blankets in our living room are a cool weather essential. 

A soft throw can be draped over a sofa, an accent chair, or gathered together in a wicker basket. I like to have a basket of blankets in our living room within easy reach for anyone looking to snuggle up on the couch on a cool autumn day. 

Wicker baskets in warm wood tones whether used as storage or as decorative elements, are another way to introduce rustic texture that complements the cozy theme. This blog post has more on how choose the right basket along with creative ideas on how to decorate with baskets.

Literary Coziness

Incorporating books (new or old) into your fall living room decor is a brilliant and budget friendly idea that allows you to enhance your space with warmth, character, and a touch of literary charm. 

Most of us already have a collection of books tucked away somewhere in our homes, so why not bring them out and display them!

I’m fortunate to have built in bookshelves in our home that I’m able to use to display our collection of books. However, you don’t need a bookshelf to incorporate books into your fall decor. 

If you lack a dedicated bookcase, you can still make the most of your books by using them throughout your space. Place a few stacked books on top of baskets by the couch for a cozy spot or display them on a large coffee table or mantle.

You can also get creative with how you display your books! This tip is controversial to some, but one of my secrets to creating depth on a shelf is by stacking books in alternating directions. Let the worn pages of old books shine by placing them forward on the shelf instead of the spine.

Have books with beautiful spines in fall colors like reds, oranges, and greens? Let those take center stage and add autumnal color and texture to your living room decor!

Oh, and don’t forget books don’t have to placed on a shelf vertically. You can display them horizontally or stack them to create more visual interest. Horizontally placed books also make great surfaces to display items like candles, greenery, or framed photographs.

Whether you have a collection of classic novels or vintage cookbooks, your existing book collection can be an affordable and versatile way to infuse your home with the warm and inviting atmosphere of fall.

Shop Your Yard

One of the most economical ways to add the beauty of Mother Nature to your home decor is by shopping your own yard (or a nearby natural setting) for natural materials. 

The white oaks surrounding our yard started dropping acorns a few weeks ago. I’ve had so much fun searching for and gathering these little treasures each afternoon when Ellie and I head outside for fresh air (Hopefully the squirrels are not upset I’m stealing their acorns!). So, I decided why not incorporate them into our fall decor!

For now, I’ve just been adding acorns to bowls and displaying them around our home. But, I do have a few fun DIY’s I’m planning on using the foraged acorns for (Stay tuned for that!).

You can also collect fallen leaves, pinecones, twigs, and branches and use those as decor in your home for a natural vibe as well. 

By embracing nature in your fall decor, you not only save money but also connect your home to the outdoors, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for the season. 

Seasonal Scents

Whenever I’m decorating our home, I always keep in mind the five senses. A cozy home is when all five senses are in harmony at once, so the sense of smell should not be overlooked. 

Scented candles with classic fall fragrances like pumpkin spice, apple cinnamon, or spiced vanilla not only add a delicious fragrance to your home but, also evoke a sense of nostalgia and a cozy vibe. 

These fragrances can transport us back to happy fall memories like crisp autumn days, apple orchards & apple picking, and cozy evenings by the fireplace. 

My favorite candles are from Antique Candle Co. and these are the best fall scented candles, in my humble opinion! Use code HEIDI20 for 20% off your entire candle purchase.

• Fall Harvest
• Pumpkin Spice
• Apple Butter
• Vanilla Chai
• Momma’s Kitchen
• Salted Caramel
• Cozy Cabin

Think Outside the Box

When it comes to fall decor on a budget, remember to always think outside the box for unique ways to decorate your home! 

Don’t limit yourself to traditional decor items; instead, consider repurposing everyday objects and exploring unconventional sources. 

For example, tablecloths can be transformed into window treatments or cowboy hats can be hung from a hook or on the wall. And don’t forget about foraging for natural elements like branches, moss, or pinecones to create your own seasonal decor. 

With a little imagination and resourcefulness, you can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, making your living room a cozy space filled with the essence of fall, all while keeping your budget intact.

Final Thoughts on Cozy Living Room Ideas on a Budget for Fall

With a little creativity and some budget friendly ideas, you too can transform your living room into a cozy space for fall that reflects your taste and personal style.

Here’s a recap of my 9 tips to help you achieve that:

Shop My Favorite Products

Shop my favorite home decor & lifestyle products here, my LTK sources here, and my Amazon Storefront here. By making a purchase with one of my links, I earn a small commission which helps me continue to create meaningful content for you! 

I look forward to sharing more of my home with you and inspiring you to have a well loved home! Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LIKEtoKNOW.it.

xoxo, heidi

Fall Home Tours 2023

This week I am joining some of my blogging friends for the best Fall Home Tours. You can visit each fall home tour by clicking the links below.

Monday’s Tours

A Stroll Thru Life – Peacock Ridge Farm – Eleanor Rose Home – Worthing Court – Southern Home and Hospitality.

Tuesday’s Tours

Decor To Adore – DIY Beautify – Amy Sadler Designs – Calypso in the Country – The House on Silverado

Wednesday’s Tours

StoneGable – My Wee Abode – Thrifty and Chic – Chalking Up Success – Pasha is Home – Thistle Key Lane

Thursday’s Tours

Our Southern Home – Whispering Pines Homestead – Follow The Yellow Brick Home – County Road 407 – She Gave It A Go – The Tattered Pew

Friday’s Tours

White Arrows Home – White Lilac Farmhouse – Midwest Life and Style

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