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Autumn is upon us, bringing with it cooler temperatures and a shift in home décor. As the leaves change colour, many homeowners feel the urge to reflect these changes indoors, moving towards warmer and cosier interiors.

But this year, there’s more to consider. With the ongoing cost of living crisis in the UK, finding ways to keep our homes warm without cranking up the heating is more crucial than ever. 

Beyond style, there’s a genuine need for cost-effective methods to maintain warmth. In this guide, we’ll be exploring top trends and cost effective solutions to achieve both comfort and affordability this season.

Living Room – The Heart of the Home

The living room, often considered the heart of any home, typically gets much more attention during autumn as families gather to enjoy the warmth amidst dropping temperatures. Adapting the décor and functionality of this space to both current trends and practical needs is key.

Colour Themes

This season, the colour palette draws direct inspiration from nature. Deep oranges, reminiscent of crisp fallen leaves, rustic browns echoing the barren trees, and muted golds, mirroring the early setting sun, are all in vogue.

Additionally, we’re seeing a resurgence of jewel tones. Emerald greens, rich rubies, and deep sapphires add a touch of luxury to the mix, ensuring that the living space feels both warm and sophisticated.

Furniture

Sustainability continues to be a significant trend in 2023. There’s a growing preference for furniture made from reclaimed wood, both for its environmental benefits and the rustic charm it brings.

As for seating, the trend leans towards soft, plush, and low-set arrangements. These low-profile pieces not only maximise space but also enhance the cosy atmosphere, making it perfect for autumn gatherings.

Lighting

As the nights draw in earlier, lighting plays a pivotal role in setting the room’s mood. Soft, ambient lights, which mimic the gentle glow of candlelight, are favoured for their warmth and serenity.

Additionally, decorative fairy lights, whether draped around a window or nestled among bookshelves, introduce a playful hint of whimsy, brightening up the space in the most enchanting way.

Furnishings

Blinds, especially in the living room, hold more significance than merely blocking out light. They help set the desired autumnal mood and tone of the room.

Aspiration Blinds offers a diverse range, tailored to suit varied needs. Their blinds not only complement the decor but also serve a functional purpose. With the right choice, blinds can effectively trap warm air inside, minimising the cold draughts from windows.

This means rooms stay warmer for longer, helping in energy conservation and reducing heating bills.

Layering is crucial for autumn. Throws and cushions, in fabrics like chenille, velvet, and wool, are in trend. Colours like rust, mustard, and deep teal on these tactile fabrics serve as both functional and decorative pieces. They not only provide an extra layer of warmth but also add depth and texture to the living space.

Bedroom – Your Autumnal Retreat

The bedroom, a personal sanctuary for many, takes on a special significance during the colder months. As the heart of rest and rejuvenation, it’s important to adjust its aesthetics and functionality to cater to the season’s demands.

Colour Themes

Autumn in the bedroom is all about creating a serene and calming atmosphere. This season, soothing greys take the lead, offering a neutral base that pairs beautifully with the warmth of burnt oranges.

These shades, combined, bring a balance of cool and cosy to the bedroom space. In addition, the refined elegance of muted purples and deep navy blues is making a noticeable mark. These tones add depth and a touch of sophistication to the bedroom palette.

Furniture

Comfort is paramount in the bedroom, and the furniture trends of Autumn 2023 reflect this priority. Upholstered bedheads are gaining traction for their dual advantage: they add a soft, tactile element to the room and provide an extra layer of warmth against chilly walls. 

Additionally, functional furniture like side tables with ample storage is on the rise. These are perfect for stashing away books for those longer night-time reads or keeping autumnal accessories at hand.

Lighting

The right lighting can make all the difference in setting the mood for restful sleep. Dimmable bedside lamps are increasingly popular, allowing homeowners to adjust the brightness to their preference, ensuring a controlled, gentle glow that’s easy on the eyes.

Ceiling lighting is also witnessing a shift; there’s a noticeable preference for warmer bulbs. These lights, in combination with the cooler evenings, create a snug environment conducive to relaxation.

Furnishings

When it comes to controlling both light and temperature in the bedroom, blinds play a crucial role. Aspiration Blinds offers a standout solution with their Blackout Blinds. These blinds not only assist in achieving total darkness, which is essential for undisturbed sleep, but they also contribute to maintaining a consistent room temperature.

Bed linens, meanwhile, see a turn towards luxury. Soft, high-thread-count sheets with autumnal patterns—like leaves, berries, and abstract motifs—invite occupants to nestle in. Whether it’s the design or the tactile comfort, these linens perfectly encapsulate the essence of autumn, making every night’s sleep a cosy retreat.

Kitchen – Warm and Inviting

The kitchen, often dubbed the heart of the home, becomes even more central during the colder months. With steaming pots, baking ovens, and the rich aromas of hearty meals, the kitchen needs to be both functional and warmly inviting as we settle into autumn.

Colour Themes

The kitchen palette this season is grounded in earthy browns and versatile neutrals, laying a foundation that evokes warmth and comfort. But to add a touch of vibrancy and reflect the bounty of autumn harvests, pops of apple greens and cranberry reds are making their way into kitchen designs. 

These shades not only uplift the space but also resonate with the fresh produce of the season.

Furniture

The furniture in the kitchen is leaning towards the timeless appeal of rustic charm. Farmhouse-style dining tables, with their sturdy build and natural finishes, are increasingly favoured, giving kitchens a homely and welcoming feel. Paired with this are chairs that prioritise comfort.

Given that the kitchen often becomes a gathering spot for family chats or casual meals, chairs with padded cushions are in demand, ensuring that everyone stays comfortable during those extended sit-downs.

Lighting

Lighting in the kitchen has to straddle the line between aesthetic and function, and the trends this autumn are no exception. Overhead pendant lights are gaining prominence, particularly those that incorporate metals like copper. Their warm, reflective surfaces add an additional layer of glow to the space.

For more practical lighting needs, under-cabinet LED strips are being chosen. They offer a bright, focused light, perfect for tasks like chopping or reading recipes, without overpowering the overall ambience.

Furnishings

Blinds in the kitchen have a dual role: they need to provide privacy and control light while withstanding the room’s unique challenges. Aspiration Blinds addresses this need head-on with their range of waterproof blinds. 

Designed specifically for environments with high moisture, like kitchens, these blinds are resilient against humidity and easy to clean. They’re perfect for any inadvertent cooking splashes, ensuring your kitchen remains stylish without compromising on functionality.

To add a decorative touch that speaks of the season, kitchen towels adorned with autumn motifs—be it leaves, pumpkins, or patterns that echo the changing landscape—are becoming popular. Not only are they functional, but they also bring a hint of festive charm to the kitchen.

Garden – Embrace the Chill

The garden, a source of rejuvenation and relaxation during summer, doesn’t have to be abandoned as autumn sets in. Instead, with a few tweaks, it can be transformed into a delightful space where one can embrace the chill, gather around for warmth, and enjoy nature’s grand autumnal show.

Colour Themes

In line with the changing environment, gardens this autumn are leaning into natural hues. Dominant shades of greens and browns form the base palette, reflecting the Earth’s transition. Yet, it’s the sporadic bursts of autumnal reds and oranges—mirroring the shedding trees and vibrant berries—that truly encapsulate the essence of the season.

Furniture

Ensuring longevity and functionality, weatherproof seating is a must-have for gardens this season. These pieces, complemented by plush, removable cushions, offer a comfy spot to relax amidst the crisp air.

But as temperatures drop, the allure of warmth becomes undeniable. That’s where fire pits and chimineas step in. Not only do they serve as a heat source, but they also become focal points around which families and friends can gather, sharing stories and laughter.

Lighting

Illumination plays a vital role in extending the usability of gardens into the evening. Solar garden lights, an eco-friendly choice, are perfect for marking pathways, ensuring safe navigation as dusk settles. For those seeking a more traditional, almost whimsical touch, lanterns and torches are becoming increasingly popular.

Their soft, flickering glow adds a rustic charm, making gardens feel like a scene straight out of a fairy tale.

Furnishings

Unpredictable weather is a hallmark of British autumns, and garden furnishings need to account for this. Aspiration Blinds offers a solution with their range of retractable canopies and awnings. These installations not only provide shelter from sudden drizzles but can be easily adjusted to let in sunlight on clearer days.

Moreover, for homeowners wanting to truly immerse in their gardens without braving the cold, Aspiration Blinds introduces ‘Outdoor Rooms‘. These spaces, crafted with glass screens and verandas, extend the indoors, allowing residents to relish the view of their garden and the beauty of nature while staying comfortably warm.

Lastly, to combat the chilly ground, outdoor rugs and blankets are becoming garden essentials. Not only do they add a layer of warmth underfoot or around the shoulders, but they also infuse the outdoor space with a touch of cosiness, making it a perfect autumnal retreat.

Year-Round Stylish Blinds at Aspiration Blinds

As the leaves turn and the temperatures drop, our homes become even more central to our lives. Embracing the chill of autumn doesn’t mean compromising on warmth or comfort. Instead, it’s about creating spaces that are warm, cosy, and energy-efficient, echoing the sentiments of the season.

Blinds play an indispensable role in this transformation. They not only uplift the aesthetics of a room, aligning them with seasonal trends, but also elevate its functionality.

Whether it’s trapping warmth, offering privacy, or allowing just the right amount of light, blinds, especially those from Aspiration Blinds, prove to be an essential addition to any autumn-ready home.