As autumn arrives with its signature transformation of leaves from summer greens to burnished golds and deep crimsons, interior design professionals say homeowners are embracing this season's natural shift toward more personal and grounded living spaces. According to Lauren Lerner of Living with Lolo, homes are evolving to feel more curated and reflective of individual lifestyles, with clients seeking spaces that serve as personal retreats.
Designers across the industry report a significant move toward earthy, deep tones this fall. Sarah Solis of Sarah Solis Design Studio explains that rich, organic colors inspired by nature are particularly resonant right now, with earth tones pulled from stone, bark, and foliage leading the way. Krista Alterman of Krista Home is incorporating what she calls "seasonal intimacy" through sexy, deep tones like burgundy, plum, and mocha, creating spaces perfect for cozy moments as temperatures drop.
The key technique driving this trend is color drenching, which Solis describes as "immersing a room in one tonal family and then playing with subtle shifts in texture and materiality." She recommends layering different browns drawn from natural sources like stone, soil, and leaves to create environments that feel both grounded and soulful.
Meanwhile, fast fashion design is rapidly losing favor among homeowners seeking custom, curated, and personal aesthetics. Lerner notes that "fast trends and catalog looks are out," as clients increasingly prioritize investment-worthy, lasting pieces over quick-ship furniture. Lindsay Olson of Lulu Designs observes that clients are "shying away from trends and wanting their own sense of self to come out in their spaces," emphasizing uniqueness and custom-fit solutions over following popular movements.
Anthologist founder Andria Mitsakos summarizes this shift succinctly: "Fast, one-click accent buying is out. Clients are editing and investing—fewer, better, and with a story." This approach represents a fundamental change in how people approach furnishing their homes, moving away from convenience toward meaningful curation.
The collector's paradise aesthetic is gaining significant momentum, with Mitsakos reporting that "nobody is asking for minimalism" anymore. Instead, people want to become collectors, seeking coffee tables full of carefully chosen adornments. This trend toward "collectors layering" means mantels and tablescapes are being loaded with small-scale sculptures, ceramics, and found objects, but each piece serves a specific purpose in the overall design narrative.
Beth Dotolo of Pulp Design Studios confirms that clients are embracing bold patterns and personalized looks, with mixing and layering resonating across all market segments. Her colleague Carolina V. Gentry expresses particular excitement about the decline of mass-produced wall decorations, stating, "The one thing we're thrilled that clients no longer ask for is decorator art. Original art is so much better for showcasing personality and life in your home."
Shiny, reflective surfaces are definitively out this season, with the mirror-and-chrome moment having run its course. Mitsakos explains that "high-gloss chrome and mirrored furniture and hardware are getting the boot," though cooler metals can still work when properly balanced. These hyper-reflective pieces are being replaced by aged brass, bronze, and pewter finishes that offer warmth without the stark, impersonal feel of highly polished surfaces.
Even window treatments are affected by this anti-bare aesthetic. Dotolo declares that "bare windows are definitely passé," advocating instead for gorgeous drapery that can frame views while serving as stunning focal points. The overarching goal has shifted toward creating warmth and texture rather than relying on stark reflective surfaces that feel cold and unwelcoming.
Handcrafted textures are experiencing a major revival as the design pendulum swings toward pieces that show the maker's hand. Mitsakos is particularly drawn to substantial craft and patina, including mixed warm metals like bronze, aged brass, and hammered copper, along with matte glazes, hand-stitched edges, and imperfect rims. "People want to feel the hand in the work," she explains, emphasizing the human element in design choices.
Deborah Wecselman of Wecselman Design reports that ceramics are having a significant moment, both in finishes and as handcrafted objects that add soulful layers to interiors. Textiles are also making a strong comeback, with Mitsakos noting that heirloom-quality throws, table linens, and vintage or hand-loomed pieces are returning to rotation, whether draped over sofas, stacked on benches, or placed under decorative trays.
Cookie-cutter perfection is officially toast according to industry professionals. The showroom look is ending, with Mitsakos observing the decline of matching sets and identical pairs in favor of collected, time-layered mixes that combine old with new and refined with rustic elements. Lerner reinforces this sentiment, noting that "clients don't want cookie-cutter looks, mid-century replicas, and matching furniture sets."
The consensus among designers is clear: this fall season prioritizes spaces with soul, character, and purpose, while showing a strong aversion to anything that appears mass-produced or factory-made. The transformation reflects a broader cultural shift toward authenticity, craftsmanship, and personal expression in home design, mirroring nature's own seasonal evolution toward deeper, more complex beauty.
