Warm to the season by celebrating the longer nights and shift in temperature

Lead image credit: Steven Mclaren

Seeing the beauty in every season 

I’ve always felt that every season has its own magic. The trick is to learn to see it, to lean into the positives and not mourn what has passed. This summer has been particularly generous with sunshine, so of course it feels a little melancholy to say cheerio to those long evenings and bright mornings. But I do confess, I rather relish the moment when the light begins to change, when the days draw shorter, and the world outside takes on that unmistakable autumnal glow. Crisp leaves underfoot, skies that feel a shade deeper, and the excuse to layer jumpers and scarves until you feel wrapped in comfort – it’s all part of the joy of the turning year. 

Making home your sanctuary 

And just as we change our wardrobes, we can transform our homes to embrace the new season. With more time spent indoors, autumn becomes the ideal invitation to reimagine your surroundings. Think of it as an opportunity rather than a loss. Instead of clinging to summer, I like to lean into the pleasures of darker evenings – lighting candles for atmosphere, filling the air with rich, woody or spiced aromas, and creating a home that feels like a cocoon. 

There’s something deeply satisfying about prioritising time at home in the cooler months, nourishing yourself with heartier meals (goodbye endless salads, hello slow-cooked stews) and surrounding yourself with the textures that make you feel nurtured. Soft woollen blankets, cashmere throws, and darker-hued cushions can all transform a space into a haven. 

The triangle of light 

Lighting makes such a difference to how a room feels once the evenings grow longer. I have a wee rule I call ‘the triangle of light’: every space needs a minimum of three light sources, all at 1.2 metres height or lower, to create balance and warmth. Use warm-hued, dimmable bulbs wherever you can – if you don’t have dimmers on your existing table and floor lamps, those new-fangled smart bulbs are an excellent option. It’s extraordinary how the right lighting scheme can soften a room, making it instantly more inviting. 

Entertaining and enjoying togetherness 

It’s a chance to shift gears, to think of your home less as a backdrop and more as a sanctuary. Maybe that means a quiet night in, curled up with a book, or perhaps it’s preparing your home to welcome friends for evenings of food and laughter. Both feel equally right in autumn – the season invites us to balance self-care with conviviality. 

Small changes, big impact 

This is also a wonderful time of year to think about deeper changes to your home. Autumn is naturally a moment of regrouping, of reflecting on what’s working and what could evolve. You might decide to repaint your living room in a shade that feels more comforting, something that embraces the season’s warmth rather than echoing summer’s lightness. Or perhaps you’ll treat yourself to a new artwork or a cheerful inexpensive print and let that be the spark for rehanging the pieces you already own. It’s extraordinary how something as simple as rearranging what you already have can shift the entire atmosphere of a home. 

Rehanging artwork with fresh eyes 

When rehanging, I find it helpful to group by theme. All the monochrome works together in one space, figurative pieces gathered in another, or even more simply, arranged by the mood they give you. This kind of curation makes you look at your own collection with fresh eyes, and it reinforces something I often say: art doesn’t have to sit on plain white walls to look ‘right’. In fact, I think well-framed and thoughtfully mounted pieces often look their most exciting when set against strong colour. A bright or dark background can make an artwork sing in ways you might never have anticipated. 

Celebrating the shift 

That’s really what autumn is about, isn’t it? Taking a moment to see things afresh. It’s not about shutting down, but about resetting. A season of gathering in, of surrounding yourself with what feels right, of appreciating the things that support and uplift you. So while the golden light of summer may have faded, there is no shortage of beauty to be found. In fact, there’s something uniquely generous about autumn – it gives us the chance to draw closer to our homes, to deepen our relationship with them, and to take pleasure in the small, everyday rituals of comfort. 

And perhaps that’s the secret: to find joy in the turn of the year not by resisting change, but by celebrating it. Every season offers us something. The thrill of spring, the brightness of summer, the mellowness of autumn, the bracing chill of winter – they each shape not only our environment, but the way we live within it. 

As the nights draw in and the colours deepen, I encourage you to lean into autumn wholeheartedly. Layer your scarves, light your candles, regroup your home, and revel in the comfort it offers. Or even change your hair colour like I have! There’s no need to pine for the summer sun when autumn has so many ways to warm you.