We Asked Designers the One Tiny Tweak They Use to Make Their Homes More Cozy, And It’s the Easiest Trick Ever

Now that the weather is cooling and the air is turning crisp, the thought of snuggling up inside is just about to become a reality. The start of fall means that spaces can embrace a level of coziness that’s nearly impossible to do in the warmer months, making it so your home can become a long-awaited cocoon. “Fall is my favorite, so when it’s time to celebrate its start, I absolutely love decorating my home to reflect the season,” says Cynthia Tran, principal designer of Cynthia Lananh.

Designer Susan Yeley looks forward to a fall refresh, too. “By September, I am missing the way my home glows on dark evenings, reminding me that yin and yang are intertwined, and lighting up the darkness with intentionality is perhaps more rewarding than soaking up the summer sun,” she says. 

But just like there’s a certain learning curve to pulling off a stylish-yet-bundled outfit, there are simple tricks to keep in mind when layering coziness into your home for fall. You might bring out throw blankets for practical purposes, for one, but they can also be draped on the backs or sides of sofas as a fresh pop of color. Sprinkling pumpkins indoors and out is another popular way to mark the season with natural texture, and there’s the option of using darker-toned pillow covers to better coordinate your couch with the outdoors, too. 

If there’s one tiny tweak these two designers recommend above all else for making their homes more cozy this season, though, it’s this: Pay attention to scents. Room sprays, diffusers, and simply simmering cinnamon on the stove are all possibilities, but both designers usually turn to candles. 

“Fall is the time to restock on or refill old candle containers,” Yeley says. “As the days get shorter, there is more and more opportunity for old-fashioned hygge.” 

Yeley says that buying new candles can be expensive and wasteful, so she recommends reusing vessels you already own and creating candles during a cozy night in. “I like Siblings, but there are lots of options,” she says. As for fragrance notes, Yeley suggests a classic combination. “Candles with hints of clove, cinnamon, bergamot, and notes of cider and pumpkin are a simple way to add fall into each interior,” she says. 

If you don’t already have a candle collection at home, you can easily find fall-forward votives that double as decor — without spending a fortune. Brands like Walmart, Costco, and Target sell sizable, nicely scented candles for $30 or less, or JOANN even carries a few quirky wax shapes if you’re looking for something more decorative. And even though most taper candles come unscented, these still incorporate well into your space year-round as a chic-meets-cozy accent. 

Marking the season with a flickering flame seems very fall-like, indeed! Get in the spirit with this low-effort, budget-friendly, and designer-approved tweak that makes a super cozy impact from any coffee table, nightstand, dresser, or kitchen table.