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As soon as a chill hits the air we all know that autumn is officially on its way. Fall signals the introduction of sweaters, lattes, getting cozy, and of course, spending more time indoors. It also means the arrival of fall color trends. This season is the perfect time to refresh your home decor by creating a comforting space to hibernate during the cooler months and to nurture both mind and body.
I’m a designer, color specialist, and creator of various tools that utilize the magic of color (Prism Oracle and Color, Form, and Magic), so one of my favorite ways of celebrating the passing of each season is through the creation of a seasonal color palette. It is often based on a combination of color trends and the hues that may be most helpful in terms of seasonal support. This fall, I’m predicting the use of chic and sophisticated autumnal colors such as warm clay, plum, and emerald, along with super vibrant and playful magenta and sunny cadmium yellow. I break these shades down below and also review some of the best spots in your home to integrate the use of these colors.
It’s important to note that you can make big sweeps and bold moves using these colors, or you can use them as accents in your home. Using color in dramatic ways (like painting a room a certain hue) can create an immersive experience, while small pops of color (in accessories or artwork, for example) can be a wonderful and more temporary way to easily update your home to celebrate the passing of each season.
Warm clay
A classic autumnal shade, warm clay borders the line between orange and brown, depending on how you look at it. Its earthy quality makes it grounding and brings a sense of stability and safety, while its more orangey tones connote a sense of happiness. Clay is perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, or any space where you’d like to bring in a sense of warmth, support, and optimism.
Plum
This deep, warm shade of purple gives a sense of opulence to any room. It’s also comforting and represents introspection. In addition, plum also has a spiritual side, and many believe that purple is associated with the third eye, which is where you tap into your intuition, a great quality as we move into a spookier season. Plum is perfect in any space in which you’d like to introduce a more luxurious or contemplative vibe, like a bedroom, living room, or meditation space.
Emerald
Jewel-toned emerald is dually refreshing and calming, and it represents the lush greenery of the natural world. As the days become colder and leaves fall from the trees, the environment is filled with even less greenery, which is why it’s important to bring this chic shade of green into the home as a subtle reminder of the bounty of nature and abundance. Green also promotes a sense of rest and rejuvenation. Emerald could be used anywhere in the home where you’d like to bring in a sense of tranquility or celebrate the lushness of nature, like a home office, bedroom, bathroom, or living room.
Cadmium Yellow
This bright, sunny hue carries an undeniable sense of joy. It’s the color of the sun and creates a burst of brightness, which can come in handy as our nights grow longer during the fall season. Cadmium yellow represents a greater sense of confidence and enhances self-esteem. In addition, this hue has a highly energizing quality to it. It’s wonderful in dark areas of the home like interior rooms or hallways, to bring in a sense of lightness. Cadmium yellow is also perfect for any space in which you’d like to introduce a greater sense of warmth and joy like your kitchen or home office.
Magenta
This shocking shade of pink is making waves across many sectors right now, from interior design to fashion. It’s energizing, unexpected, and connotes disruption—in a good way! It asks how you can shake things up and continue to iterate on yourself and your life in a way that feels productive to you. A perfect pop of color for shorter days, magenta works wonderfully in kitchens, living rooms, or any space that needs to be energized, reinvigorated, or reinvented.
