With the start of a new school year comes thoughts of the fall season. It may seem like summer just started (if your still-full To Do list is any indication), but the truth is, fall is right around the corner. Start warming up your space and decorating for fall all at once with these 21 fall decorating tips and ideas.

1. Spice up your front door.

Welcome the season along with your guests from the get-go. Cover a plain twig wreath in any or all things fall-ish: pinecones, maple leaves, or berry or nut picks.

2. Consider fresh fall colors.

Golden yellow, chocolate brown, burnt orange, and even fiery red are all season-inspired colors that bring warmth and comfort to your space.

3. Create a fall foliage arrangement.

It needn’t be over-the-top. A stick or two of berries with some pretty leaves, or even some bare branches in a large apothecary are enough to bring in a sophisticated feel of fresh fall.

4. Lay down a soft rug.

The cooler weather makes cozier textiles all the more appealing. Treat your feet to some softness this fall with a beautiful plush rug.

5. Decorate your mantel.

Whether you favor the natural fall décor (e.g., leaves, pumpkins, twigs) or the bright fall décor (e.g., berries, apples, wagons), or something else altogether, give your mantel a fresh makeover for the season.

6. Use smoked or tinted glass.

There’s something about the rich, muted tones of smoked or tinted glass that evokes warmth in the fall season. From a glamorous lighting fixture to a simple vase, smoked glass could work beautifully into anyone’s fall décor.

7. Incorporate natural fall elements strategically.

A stone bowl or vase, some sprigs of fall berries, or even fall leaves pinned into a shadow box are small and simple additions that nod to the season and bring subtle warmth.

8. Make a fall-themed garland.

The possibilities are endless, really. Corn ears and husks, fall-colored felt or fabric, mini-pumpkins, or even simple white ribbons on a strand of twine could each become a lovely décor highlight for your fall home.

9. Decorate with fall candy.

You might have to strategize this one if you have young fingers around constantly, but fall candy can be so pretty, it would be a shame to pass up this instant (and delicious) décor idea. Candy corn, caramel, and any pumpkin-shaped treat looks great in clear glass dishes.

10. Use linen generously.

The humble fabric will go far in setting the stage for your other fall décor. Consider using linen as tablecloths, linen napkins as side table covers or linen runners over the top of your piano for the foundation for gourds. The texture of linen is beautifully versatile, fitting in equally well with the rustic and the rich.

11. Pull out fall throw pillows.

Swap your lightweight, summery throw pillows for those that are more seasonally appropriate – textural, nubby, and in rich fall colors – for an instant fall facelift in the living room. This makes the entire space feel cozier as well.

12. Gather and group gourds.

Displayed in the kitchen or even by the fireplace, gourds not only add the perfect touch of fall color, but they also personify the season of the harvest perfectly.

13. Use canning jars decoratively.

Mason jars are the epitome of functionality, what with their primary purpose being canning and preserving harvested food, but they are also charming in their own right. DIY a canning jar lantern, for example, to imbue your seasonal space with character.{image from rikkisnyder}.

14. Drape soft, warm blankets.

The changing of the weather into autumn can mean more opportunities to cozy up with a good book or a chat. Have soft blankets at the ready on or near your sofa for just such an occasion.

15. Incorporate some wood accents.

It needn’t be an entire futon framed in wood or a brand new wood coffee table; rather, a simple wooden bowl or a stack of small round logs near the fireplace is sufficient to bring in the warmth of natural wood.

16. Put a basket of apples within reach.

Apples are one of the primary fruit harvests in the fall, they are colorful and pretty, and they make a wonderful snack. Put those three traits together, and a basket of apples is a perfectly pragmatic way to decorate your kitchen countertop…and keep hunger at bay!

17. Don’t forget the warm metallics.

While summertime might highlight the bolder, brighter pieces of décor, fall tends to embrace the subtler, deeper tones. Warm metallic pieces combine maturity with shine for a lovely fall addition.

18. Edit your furnishings.

The change of a season is always a great time to de-clutter and/or downsize. Consider removing that extra piece of furniture, whether it’s a chair, stool, or side table, to give your entire space some freshness and room to breathe.

19. Set up some candles.

Not only do the candles (or candlesticks) themselves provide a rich colorful addition to the décor, but also the candles’ flame exudes cozy warmth and charm.

20. Decorate your dining room tabletop.

You shouldn’t have to wait until a special occasion like Thanksgiving Day to have a fall tablescape. In fact, decorating the tabletop for day-to-day use is a great (and practical) way to make the dining room feel festive and seasonally decorated.{found on serendipityrefined}.

21. Remember that fall décor = simplicity.

There’s a reason that burlap and twigs and leaves are mainstays to the seasonal décor in fall: they are natural, simple, and perfectly imperfect rugged resources. Don’t overlook the simplicity.