Autumn in the Pacific Northwest offers some of the most amazing scenery in Canada. While we say goodbye to summer barbeques and outings in the park, we say hello to sweater weather and comfortable afternoons with a cup of tea. There’s a reason so many people love Fall! It’s the epitome of cozy.
But just because it’s Fall doesn’t mean you have to deck everything in orange and yellow or plunk pumpkins and cornucopias in every corner. The leaves may change but you have more choice. West Coast style really is a chameleon of interior design. The rules are forgiving (as in: they can be bent to your will). Because it takes so much inspiration from nature, West Coast style adapts to its surroundings. If you want to keep that West Coast style all year long, or adopt some of its characteristics for your home, here are some tips for incorporating Fall into a West Coast-inspired space.
BRING THE OUTSIDE IN
Not literally, unfortunately. That luxury was reserved for Summer. In a figurative sense, bring some of the outside’s characteristics into your space. Take inspiration from classic West Coast elements such as natural wood and earth tones, but give them that autumn spin.
HANG ON TO YOUR PLANTS
You can still keep your plants. While there may be less green in Fall, it’s still there in places. Just change it up or add to it. Accentuate your typical year-round potted plants, go for vases of branches or wheat, even dried flowers can be repurposed for transitional design. The theme for fall is transformation, the change of seasons. It’s the perfect opportunity (or excuse) to revamp your space.
On the West Coast, we may have mountains and forests and the ocean, but if one calls to you over the rest, go with it! For Coastal elements, go for driftwood, soft blues, and sandy hues. Cabincore aesthetic calls for logs, chopped wood, and pine-cones. A pumpkin (or 20) can always pop up here or there. Add a baskets of flowers, a display of root vegetables, or stack some chopping boards for that harvest feel.
Pro-Tip:
Maximize The View
If you've got it—flaunt it! Nature gives you the perfect backdrop for your design.
SEASONAL COLOURS
The typical colours—white, neutrals, and pops of black—are easy to work with. They already serve as a balanced colour palette. When implemented into a West Coast design, these colours soothe when appreciated as the bigger picture, but creative use of lines and contrasting features (this is where those pops of black come in) can lead the eye inward or direct it at a focal point, like a fireplace or a sectional couch. Just keep the tones cohesive to keep that harmony!
A TOUCH OF GREEN:
You don’t have to get rid of the green! It’s a great complementary colour to warm tones like red, orange, and yellow. Green can be added in simple flowers, greenery, and even a peel and stick decal mural for the season.
COZY ON UP
West Coast style exudes comfort. This makes it a perfect match for Fall. Coziness isn’t just about overflowing your space with blankets and pillows (though that doesn’t hurt), it’s about creating a mood. The aim is to create a space for you and your guests to relax, gather, and lounge.
This may be straightforward and downright basic, but blankets are perfect for adding pops of colour or pattern while also serving a function. Don’t be afraid of texture! Heavy knits, wool, even layering blankets can set the coziness factor up a few notches. There’s no such thing as too many blankets. Store the overflow in a wicker or fabric basket to add more of a homey vibe.
We are seeing lots of velvet and faux fur. Add it to your pillows, throw blankets, or even your couch. But if you want to keep things classic, you can’t go wrong with a little pattern!
In West Coast design, its attention to harmony and its inspirations from nature make it the perfect backdrop for a cozy Fall day. Bring nature inside with pops of plants and textures. With careful attention to colours, you can add that seasonal twist to your space without sacrificing West Coast aesthetics. Promote a welcoming atmosphere by leading the eye to gathering spaces, and don’t forget to garnish those spaces with comfy elements like flowers, founds objects, blankets and even some baskets.
Anyone can appreciate the West Coast in Fall (even if you miss Summer and hate the rain). By following our tips, you’ll soon be enjoying a perfectly cozy autumn evening in your own West Coast-inspired space.
We’d love to see your spaces! How do you prepare for Fall? Drop a comment or tag us in a picture of your Fall-ready home.
