In the summer, our natural instinct is to lighten everything up - paler colours, more visual white space and a decidedly pared down environment. Things change. " Fall is about layering up and creating warmth," says Sally Healy, of Calgary-based Sally Healy Design.

It's true that warmer, richer colours signify the season naturally, "but I can take any palette and make it look like fall," says Sally. "It's about the texture and fabric. At this time of year, [fabrics] should be more lush (think velvet) and ribbed and nubbly."
 

Here are some of Sally's other ideas for injecting that fall feeling into your home decor.

In the living room
Add area rugs. But remember that nothing looks worse than a rug that's too small for a room – it makes the space look busy. To welcome fall, lay a Buffalo or cowhide on top of sisal or another tight rug.

Things don't have to be precious to be special. Cut down branches from your yard and put them in a vase that's filled with leaves and pinecones. It's cheap and fabulous.

Add a beautiful throw to the sofa (wool or fur, preferably) and change the pillows (try chenille, mohair or thick port au soie satin).

Hang more drapery, specifically woolen panels. They're classic and make a space feel comfy. For a less expensive option, you could just hang side panels for anther layer over your existing window treatment.

Warm up your space with painted glass in oxblood red on the back of bookshelves. The reflective sheets are exquisite and cheap.

In the dining room

If there's a lot of wood and hard surfaces, soften things up by slip covering the end chairs or using upholstered end banquettes.

On the table, mix things up with coloured crystal, chargers and decorative plates. Cut coloured crystal and Moroccan tea glasses – they have a richness that just feels like fall.

Put bowls of coconuts on the table. The texture is perfect for this time of year, especially with a layer of baby pinecones or moss.

 

In the bedroom
Layer up the bed with a quilted blanket in satin or velvet.
Upholster the headboard.
Replace white lampshades with black or something lined with gold or silver.

 

In the bathroom
Hang floating shelves to store books and candles and soaps.
Get a long wooden tray for the counter and place vases filled with sea corals on it.
Add little lamps to the vanity.
If you have the room, slip cover a chair and ottoman in a warm-coloured terry cloth and a wool runner.