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

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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.

Natural elements and vintage books in a cozy space for fall.

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. 

Cozy living room fall decorating ideas that won't break the bank.

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.

Fall home tour with 25+ blogging friends for autumn home inspiration.

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? 

Budget friendly cozy living room ideas for the autumn season.

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.

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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. 

Neutral sectional sofa in a cozy cottage farmhouse living room.

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! 

Note: It may seem counterintuitive to invest in quality furniture when decorating on a budget, but in the long run, it can save you money. High quality items often last longer, withstand wear and tear better, and retain their value. They provide a timeless canvas that allows you to update your decor with affordable, seasonal changes. So, don’t shy away from investing a bit more upfront, as it can pay off in both longevity and the ability to adapt your space over time.

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.

Cozy living room for fall with warm toned baskets soft throws, and throw pillows.

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. 

A cozy spot with old books and natural elements for fall living room decor.

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 best dIY projects

Easy Fall DIY Ideas

Explore our collection of budget-friendly and accessible fall DIY ideas, perfect for turning your living space into an inviting autumn retreat. With these creative projects, you can infuse the warmth and charm of the season into your home without breaking the bank or compromising on style.

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.

Autumn home decor in the family room for cozy fall vibes.

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. 

Living room cozy decor with antique shop finds for fall.
Tip
  • Before heading to the thrift store, have a clear idea of what you’re shopping for. Whether it’s specific vintage decor pieces or furniture, knowing your priorities will help you stay focused and make the most of your thrift store shopping trip. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the abundance of options, so having an idea in mind ensures you find exactly what you’re looking for and will prevent impulse purchases.

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.

  • Amber Glass: Vintage amber glass adds a warm and inviting touch to your fall decor. Look for pieces with intricate patterns or unique shapes to make a statement.
  • Ironstone: Ironstone is a type of pottery known for its timeless white color and classic design. It’s perfect for displaying on a shelf or can be a beautiful addition to an autumn tablescape. I like to collect ironstone pitchers and creamers to hold wooden spoons or simple flower arrangements.
  • Vintage Trophies: Vintage trophies make charming and unexpected decor items. Display them on shelves or use them as vases for autumn flowers.
  • Brass Candlesticks: Brass candlesticks exude a timeless, vintage charm. They can instantly elevate your fall decor when paired with rich colored candles, creating soft lighting and warm glow.
  • Wicker Baskets: Vintage wicker baskets are versatile for fall decor. Use them for holding throw blankets, organizing magazines, or displaying fall foliage.
  • Leather Bound Books: Antique leather bound books not only look sophisticated but also add warmth and texture to your living room. You can easily decorate with them by stacking them on a coffee table or bookshelf.

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.

Extra cozy fall throw pillows with warm textures and patterns.

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. 

Affordable living room decorating ideas with seasonal throw pillows.

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.

Tips
  • Think about the size of your furniture and the scale of your room. Large pillows can make a bold statement, while smaller ones can be more delicate and versatile. Mixing different sizes creates visual appeal. Note: I do not purchase any pillows smaller than a 20″x 20″ square (any smaller and the pillows look to small on the couch).
  • For ultimate comfort and plumpness, purchase pillow inserts made of down or faux down. Down filled pillows are known for their luxurious feel and ability to maintain their shape. Faux down inserts offer a similar plushness and are hypoallergenic, making them a great alternative for those with allergies. This insert is one of my favorites.
  • Remember that throw pillows should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also comfortable. Test the fill and cushioning to ensure they provide the support you like for lounging.
  • When shopping for pillows, prioritize those with a zipper or button closures. This simple feature makes it easy to change pillow covers seasonally, whenever you want to refresh your decor, or when you want to wash them.

Shop the Best Fall Pillows

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. 

Family room fall decor for a cozy atmosphere with warm, earthy tones.

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. 

Autumn home decor in the family room for cozy fall vibes.

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.

Shop Our Living Room

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!

Cozy living room for fall with warm toned baskets soft throws, and throw pillows.

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.

Old books on a vintage dresser for unique fall decorations.

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!

Tip
  • When shopping for vintage books to incorporate into your home decor, look for those with neutral colored covers. Neutral hues like beige, cream, or gray make them versatile for multiple seasons, allowing you to adapt your decor to different seasons throughout the year.

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.

Decor magazines on wicker baskets with a soft rug.

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!

Natural elements and vintage books in a cozy space for fall.

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. 

Fall decorations in farmhouse style home with warm textures.

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. 

A cozy spot with old books and natural elements for fall living room decor.

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.

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. 

Budget friendly cozy living room ideas for the autumn season.

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.

Cozy living room fall decorating ideas that won't break the bank.

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:

  • Build Off Your Living Room Basics
  • Use a Warm Neutral Color Palette
  • Shop Antique Shops for Unique Fall Finds
  • Update Your Pillow Covers
  • Layer Textures Like Pillows, Throws, & Baskets
  • Use Books for Literary Coziness
  • Shop Your Yard for Natural Elements
  • Don’t Forget Your Sense of Smell & Seasonal Scents
  • Remember to Think Outside the Box
Family room fall decor for a cozy atmosphere with warm, earthy tones.

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 FacebookInstagramPinterest, 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 LifePeacock Ridge FarmEleanor Rose HomeWorthing CourtSouthern Home and Hospitality.

Tuesday’s Tours

Decor To AdoreDIY BeautifyAmy Sadler DesignsCalypso in the CountryThe House on Silverado

Wednesday’s Tours

StoneGableMy Wee AbodeThrifty and ChicChalking Up SuccessPasha is HomeThistle Key Lane

Thursday’s Tours

Our Southern Home Whispering Pines HomesteadFollow The Yellow Brick HomeCounty Road 407She Gave It A Go – The Tattered Pew

Friday’s Tours

White Arrows HomeWhite Lilac FarmhouseMidwest Life and Style

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Cozy living room fall decorating ideas that won't break the bank.
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31 Comments

  1. I have to first say I adore that ginormous book! I’m always trying to find old books with fantastic seasonal color but not much luck lately. Yours are amazing. Love all of your tips and and the living space is perfect. Even your adorable dog is an autumn. 😉 pinned

  2. Thank you for all the wonderful tips! As soon as things get a bit cooler here, I’ll break out some of those yummy scented candles you suggested! And I couldn’t agree more about investment pieces. I often think about how many years I will most likely use the item, and then divide the price by that many years. Makes it much more logical to purchase then! Especially furniture! Always love touring with you!

  3. Gorgeous fall tour, Heidi and great tips for affordable and sustainable decorating! If your ears were burning the other day it’s because a couple of blog friends and I were talking about how beautiful your photography is. 😀

  4. Absolutely stunning my friend. I love every single detail and all your cozy tips. So happy to be hopping with you this week. Pin we!

  5. Thank you Cindy! I don’t, I don’t know why I do not share it more. I think because the fireplace is so dark it’s hard for me to photograph. I’ll try and work on sharing more of it though!

  6. Heidi, your fall home is inspiring with so much character and style! Your decorating philosophy spoke to me as I’m not looking to add more clutter I need to store! Everything in your home feels curated and special! I would love to see more of your fireplace, do you have a post highlighting it?

  7. What a gorgeous tour, Heidi! The neutrals combined with all of the rich textures are so cozy and perfect for fall. I especially love the leaves tucked in the baskets and the real acorns!

  8. Heidi I am so very inspired with your autumnal touches. I love all of the gorgeous neutrals and luscious layers. I’ve pinned an image to my Fall Pinterest board and will highlight you on IG today. It’s truly a joy to be on tour with you!

  9. So many great tips and suggestions to create the perfect Fall Home on a budget. I love your living room and how beautifully is is decorated for Fall. So warm and inviting and all the different textures and patterns give the room so much charm and interest. Love the arrangement on the antique chest too. Stunning. Thanks so much for joining the tour this season. I loved visiting your home.

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