During summer, it’s all about clean minimalism and reducing visual clutter to keep cool, but the moment colder temps hit, in come the comfort cues. We immediately want to wrap ourselves and our surroundings in soft textures, add layers, and find comfort in cozy maximalism. But even if you have entire Pinterest boards filled with aspirational ideas, layering textures and patterns in interior decor can still feel intimidating. Will it clash? Will it feel overwhelming? Where does one even start? 

Luckily, with a few guardrails, you can get that cozy fall aesthetic in no time. Scroll below for our shortlist of interior layering techniques that can be used all autumn and beyond. Then, check out the Fall Shop to find your cozy washable rug match.  

Pile More Pillows & Throws

Throw Pillows

Decor accents like throw pillows and blankets are a great way to level up your texture layering, and they can be easily swapped out seasonally or whenever the mood hits. Play with an array of materials, patterns, prints, and color palettes. For fall months, we love using velvet and boucle, plaids and leaf motifs, and warm-but-muted color palettes. You’ll also find that incorporating multiple shapes or sizes (like bolsters, round, and classic square pillows) can add visual interest and depth. 

Include Textured Upholstery

Architectural Digest Nisa Ink Black

Creating textural dimension can also be achieved through including a variety of different material finishes in your furniture — like how these nubby boucle upholstered chairs add cozy contrast to the smooth leather couch and warm wooden coffee table. Then, top it all off with the addition of a fluffy pillow and chunky knit throw blanket for the ultimate stack of soft textures. 

Use Contrasting Fall Patterns

Jora Autumn Rug

Just like the saying “opposites attract”, the same can be said about layering fall patterns — as long as they find common ground. Mixing contrasting scales can help ensure that the chosen patterns complement one another, versus creating a confusion clash of patterns. Here, a classic checkerboard tile floor provides a base to layer our Jora Autumn Rug on top by keeping a through line with its color palette. The kitchen shares shades of muted green, creamy white, and the pops of deep burnt orange — with a vase of fall foliage to tie it all together. Plus, there are plenty of fun pairs to play with: florals and stripes, plaid and leopard, and geometric patterns with all of the above. 

Or, Keep a Single Theme

Blackthorn Forest Green

Not to pull in another cliché phrase, but “birds of a feather flock together” when pairing prints, too. In this instance, multiple floral patterns in the curtains, wallpaper, and our Morris & Co. Blackthorn Forest Green Rug share a similar theme and scale, which helps create the illusion of a uniform look despite being different types of floral patterns. The all-over floral approach covers every surface from floor to ceiling (rugs, wallpaper, and curtains) that is balanced, satisfying, and imparts a cozy feeling. 

Already eyeing your rooms for a fall decor refresh? The coziest layer is right under your feet. Head to the Fall Shop for the best rugs of the season.