September is here, and soon autumn will be, too. The leaves will start to fall, the sun will start to forfeit its warmth for a swift, autumn breeze. And we will reach for our favorite sweaters and a pair of boots. Autumn brings its own unique invitation to slow down; to turn inward, slow down, and to make space for all things cozy and warm. To rest. It’s not just our hearts that need rest; our homes do, too. And autumn is a great time to bring in some calming, soothing elements to create a cozy fall home.
Why Fall is the Perfect Time to Create a Joyful and Calm Home
Fall is about letting go, turning inward, and slowing down. It’s when the trees choose to shed their leaves and enter a season of dormant rest to ready themselves for new growth. We, too, can shed what no longer serves us and prepare for a new season of revival. But in order to do that, we must be willing to relinquish control and go with the flow. The seasonal flow. God calls us into seasons of rest and restoration. That doesn’t mean we sit around and do nothing; it means we accept the invitation to be restored. To slow down and listen. To appreciate the little details of life with Him. After all, the goal isn’t perfection; it’s joy in the small things. Let’s explore some ways to enhance our joy in the small things this fall by creating a cozy home.
Declutter the Spirit and the Space
Emotional clutter affects the physical clutter, and vice versa. What we carry in our hearts spills into our homes, and keeping a cluttered home can rob us of peace. You don’t have to do a full home makeover, just clear out one cozy spot where you can relax and sit in peace. Or tackle that junk drawer that seems to swallow items whole, never to be seen again. As you clear out, remember to use non-toxic cleaners like vinegar, alcohol, or this one from Branch Basics.
As for the emotional clutter, incorporate a morning routine that encourages you to relax. Start with a few minutes of reading, prayer, or meditation. End your day with brain dumping or prayer journaling. Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s sustainable and effective, and stay tuned for my upcoming blog on how to create a faith-filled morning routine. Or read this blog about ending your day with intention.
Bring in Seasonal Comfort
What better way is there to create a cozy home than to throw in a little seasonal décor? Think soft, fuzzy blankets, warm lighting, soothing drinks. Don’t overdo it, but a few well-placed items that bring the season’s theme and colors to your walls can help you embrace the season’s attributes. Fall is a time if reaping, gratitude, and rest. Decorate with colors that match the season, and textures that make you want to slow down. Install a warm drink station that offers herbal teas and the season’s warm flavors. Plan your menu around autumn’s abundance with meals like squash soup and baked apples. You can even diffuse oils like cinnamon, clove, and orange, if fragrance is something that brings you peace. Slow down each night with a calming playlist for the family to enjoy.
Create Seasonal Rhythms of Rest and Joy
Don’t just throw up some pumpkin-themed paintings and a relevant Bible verse and call it a day. You can create a cozy home by creating cozy routines. Take some extra time to slow down in the morning and at night before you go to bed. Light a candle before prayer, drink your tea by the window instead of at your desk, and make time for a slow, family dinner once a week. Play board games with your children as the temps outside lower; or go for a weekly nature hike now that the sun isn’t zapping your energy while mosquitoes relentlessly pursue you. Wake up a few minutes early on the weekend to make pancakes or take a little extra quiet time to yourself. Whatever new rhythms you create this season, make them slow and intentional. Let your home and your heart reflect the peace of honoring God with your rest. Even when life feels chaotic, rhythms anchor us. They remind us joy is possible in the everyday.
Set the Mood with Lighting
As the outside world cools off from summer, the world begins to darken. The darkness creeps in a little earlier each week, until it envelops us for more hours than the sun each day. This is partly why autumn is a season of rest. Aligning our cycles with the sun aligns our bodies’ processes with the seasons. This is a foundational tip to healthy living. For as long as you can, keep the curtains open and use the sun to light up your home. And when the sun goes down, swap those LED overheads for soft, warm, lamplight that signals it’s time to slow down for the day. This can improve sleep and stress, and encourage relaxation at night. Create a cozy home by making a nightly routine to turn off all the overhead lights and eating or reading by candlelight.
Let Go of Perfection
Maybe your house is messy (mine often is). Maybe you’re in a hard season. That’s ok. Your home doesn’t have to be perfect to be peaceful. Chasing perfection is the antithesis to having a peaceful home. Our homes are lived in, and they should reflect that. Have you ever been to that well-off aunt’s house that was pristine, where you weren’t allowed to touch anything and even sitting on the well-appointed sofa was anxiety-inducing? That isn’t the way to create a cozy home. You should be able to look around and see the reflection of a happy, comfortable family. If that’s stored food and kitchen equipment on the counters, that’s ok. If it’s the stack of books everyone is reading on the shared end table, embrace it. Add a little pumpkin spice and suddenly it’s seasonal. You can still create peace in a cluttered home, through intention, prayer, and small moments of beauty.
Embrace the Cozy, Embrace the Moment
Come home to yourself this fall. To your space and the life you’ve created within it. Choose one way to create a cozy home today – light a candle, take a slow breath, and turn on some calming music. Enjoy the season as thoroughly as possible and take each day as it comes to you. Stay cozy, friends.
