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Transitioning Home Decor from Summer to Fall with Vintage Finds

By Rachel

published 09/18/2025

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From sunshine to sweater weather! Find my best tips on transitioning home decor from summer to fall with vintage finds, all without the stress.

You know that that late-summer, early-fall moment—when the days are still warm but there’s a definite crispness in the air? To me, that’s the epitome of September. But, where to begin when it comes to home decor during this time? Because, truly, the transition from summer to fall decor can feel abrupt. This post will serve as a guide on transitioning home decor from summer to fall with vintage finds! For a stress free changeover, these tips emphasize a smooth, layered approach rather than a complete overhaul.

Vintage Fall Decor: The Art of the Seamless Season Shift

By strategically layering in key vintage items along with bits of fall, it’s possible to create a beautiful, effortless seasonal shift that feels natural and collected, not rushed.

Here, I’ll share my thoughts on the mindset of a smooth seasonal transition, important decor elements from one season to the next, and specific vintage finds to make the switch.

Table of Contents

Let’s give your home the fall makeover that it deserves without feeling stressed. Join me below for all the deets!

The Fall Decor Mindset: Blending, Not Replacing

When thinking about transitioning your space from summer decor to fall decor, there are a few things to keep in mind. Below are a few tips that I use during each seasonal shift in my home and, truly, help me contain my sanity.

These ideals work for any season, for any decor, at any time!

Layering is Key: The goal is to add, not subtract. For fall, you’re layering in cozy textures, warm colors, and earthy elements on top of your existing summer decor base (think adding acorns to a milk glass bowl, for example)
Start with a Clean Slate: Pare down your home decor first by removing bright colors and overtly summery items (like nautical shells or citrus fruits) to create a neutral base.
Embrace the “Less is More” Mentality: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: a few well-chosen pieces can make a much larger impact than a cluttered space!

Key Elements for Fall Decorating

Before we get into the meat and potatoes of today’s topic, I wanted to briefly discuss the elements for each season that we are transitioning from and to. Hopefully this will help you to visualize the process at hand and how, with strategic decor principles, and a few simple swaps, your home will feel like fall in no time-without all the fuss!

The Summer Base

Here are some of the summer elements you might have out currently:

Colors: Light, airy neutrals (whites, creams) and pops of bright, bold colors (yellows, blues, pinks).
Textures: Woven materials (rattan, jute), light linens, smooth glass.
Items: Fresh flowers, seashells, light vases.

When taking down summer decor, remove anything that overtly makes you think of summer and leave the rest out. This is going to look different for each person because decorating is an art and we all view art from a unique perspective.

The Fall Layer

Then, once you have a fresh neutral base from paring down the summer decor, think about the fall elements that you can add to the mix.

Colors: Rich, warm tones (rust, amber, olive green, burgundy, mustard yellow) and deeper neutrals (brown, taupe).
Textures: Cozy materials (velvet, knit), rustic elements (wood, brass), and worn finishes.
Items: Candles, throws, dried florals, wooden thread spools, acorns.

When prepping the items you want to use for fall specifically, I urge you to shop your house and look for items already on hand that you can use. Get creative and think outside the box. In this way, you’re not only saving money but taking care of the Earth by re-using decor in a new way!

Shop My Favorite Fall Decor

Transitioning Home Decor from Summer to Fall with Vintage Finds

I would like to welcome you into my home for a cozy vintage fall home tour! It’s my hope that, in the following snippets and photos, you can glean beautiful, simple, and low-budget fall decor ideas for your own home.

Each vintage find that I’m sharing with you today are truly my favorite items to use each fall season. And, many of them I use all year round! I’ll show you how, with a few small tweaks, everyday decor can instantly feel like autumn.

Come on in!

Vintage Copper Accents

As you all probably know, I adore vintage copper. It’s one of those vintage items that I decorate with year round in my kitchen. But, it’s such a beautiful accent for fall! I tend to pull down a few pieces and use them here and there around the house.

Paired with neutral decor items such as cream colored vases, ironstone, or milk glass, this warm-toned metal exudes the perfect amount of cozy warmth for the season. Think vintage copper accents such as candlesticks, small bowls, or decorative figurines.

In my entryway for fall, I styled a vintage copper pourer with a thrifted cream vase, amber-colored fall stems, a piece of vintage art, and a smattering of fall accessories. You don’t need to do a lot to dress up copper because the beauty of it speaks for itself!

Vintage Books

OMG give me alllllll the pretty books! Vintage books hold such a special place in my heart.

You guys. If someone told me I was only allowed to use one decor item for fall, it would be vintage books. And, if I could give you one piece of advice for super easy fall decorating, it would be to simply place rows and/or stacks of old books around the house. It takes like zero effort but makes such a bold statement!

For fall, I added stacks of old hardcovers with worn spines and earthy-toned covers to the mantel. Coupled with thrifted milk glass and ironstone that I already had out from summer and a handful of fall accents, this vignette came together seamlessly!

When I’m out sourcing old books, I look for spines and covers in deep reds, copper, rust, dark olive green, and browns. In this way, the books will feel cohesive yet it gives me the ability to mix and match the books when I’m styling a certain space.

The same ideal can be seen on the credenza. I flanked this row of books with vintage fall accessories, a few pumpkins, and flow-y stems. Vintage books already have all the worn and timeless character needed for a pretty display, so no need to overdo it!

Amber Glass Bottles

Vintage glass bottles, in enchanting amber and brown hues, are the quintessential, easy-to-find elements for achieving an ethereal autumn look. I truly don’t know what I would do without these old amber bottles for fall decorating. They add depth, contrast, and the warmest of hues to any autumn vignette.

On the wall shelf in my living room, I swapped the blue glass jars from summer with cozy amber bottles for fall. For a balanced and well-rounded display, I utilized various shapes and sizes of jars and filled them with eucalyptus and other seasonal branches. Their color perfectly reflects autumn light!

For an extra detail, try tying velvet ribbon around a few of the jars. The juxtaposition of soft and hard is everything.

Rustic Wooden Crates or Boxes

To bring in a natural, weathered look that complements the season, I love to use rustic wooden crates found from thrift stores or antique shops.

On the credenza, I used the exact same vintage crate, in the exact same spot, that I had out for summer! The only difference is I swapped a green floral ironstone pitcher for a neutral ironstone tureen filled with a large velvet pumpkin. Voila! Instant fall.

For a much different look, I placed a vintage etched wooden box behind a collection of milk glass in my hutch. I love how the warm-toned wood breaks up the all-white color palette with ease.

And, it’s super unique! That’s what you get with vintage decor and I LOVE it. There’s no one else who has the exact same wooden box in their hutch!

Milk Glass & Ironstone

Vintage milk glass and ironstone are decor collections that I use all year round. So, for an easy seasonal swap, I simply took away the summer items and added in fall stems instead! Using a fall color palette on the mantel with milk glass and ironstone exudes a rustic yet timeless feel.

These earthy stoneware pieces are imperfect, giving off a one-of-a-kind look. They pair beautifully with dried flowers and grasses, vintage linens, and fall ribbon.

Cozy Vintage Dishes

Dishes are’t just for the kitchen anymore!

Vintage dishes, in neutral colors such as cream, white, or brown are an amazing, low-budget way to add whimsy to your fall home. My hutch is a favorite piece of mine to decorate for the seasons. Due to the white backdrop, I feel like the sky is the limit when it comes to the decor I can play with in here!

So, for this fall season, I layered differing patterns and colors of thrifted dishes on the open shelving, including brown transferware and ironstone plates. Stacking mismatched dishes, topped with vintage pitchers or creamers, is one of my favorite looks.

Adding in dried florals, ribbon, and white pumpkins helps to tie the fall theme in with the rest of the house.

Vintage Art

Art is another one of those decor items that goes a long way in adding a fall vibe to your space. And, no room is off limits to art! I hang vintage artwork in every room, even the bathrooms!

For summer, I had a bright vintage crewelwork hanging in this spot. So, for an easy seasonal swap, I hung this fall-themed vintage oil painting next to the fireplace, which helps to introduce warmer tones for fall.

When sourcing fall artwork (my favorite place is from thrift stores), my tip is to look for old landscapes, moody portraits, or botanical prints that feature dramatic fall tones such as browns, deep mustard yellows, copper or rust colors, maroon, or even deep eggplant purple.

Putting it All Together: Fall Decorating Ideas for Any Room

So, with all of those ideas in mind, you might be wondering, “Rachel, how do I put it all together…how do I actually get it done?!” Great question!

Below is a brief fall decorating overview for the main living spaces in a home, which encompasses all of the decor ideals shared above.

Living Room:

Since this is the main living space in a home, the key is layering.

Swap out light summer textiles for heavier ones like a knit throw or vintage wool blanket draped over a couch. Add a few brass candlesticks, a stack of old books on the coffee table, and replace any bright summer art with more earthy-toned pieces.

Dining Room:

Here, the focus is on the table. Create a simple centerpiece using a wooden bowl filled with miniature pumpkins or gourds. Or, try filling a vintage ironstone pitcher with dried florals.

Layer vintage dishes together such as brown transferware or ironstone. Finally, a lace or neutral table runner will tie everything together and help ground the space.

Kitchen:

Create a welcoming kitchen by focusing on little details.

Display a few vintage jars or amber bottles on the windowsill to catch the light. Swap out a boring cutting board for a rustic wooden one, or use a stoneware crock on a counter to hold fruits or veggies. These simple changes harken in fall to the space while still keeping it functional.

Bedroom:

In this space, the focus is on comfort and warmth.

Layer bedding with a cozy fleece throw or a vintage quilt, folded at the foot of the bed. For a warm glow, place a few flameless pillar candles on a dresser or nightstand. And, for an inviting look, add a vase of dried fall florals to a bedside table.

Bathroom:

Yes, even in a small bathroom there can be touches of fall!

Switch out summer hand towels for ones with a warmer color or more textured weave. Place a small vintage dish or copper bowl on the counter, or add a fall stem to a small vase for a whimsical touch.

Closing Tidbits on Transitioning Home Decor from Summer to Fall with Vintage Finds

It’s my hope that, through the ideas and tips shared here, you can see how transitioning home decor from summer to fall with vintage finds is an uncomplicated, pretty, and budget-friendly way to get your home ready for the new season.

There is not a right or wrong way to decorate your home, so I urge you to start small, get creative, and just have fun with the process! Through the use of thrifted and vintage items, you can enjoy the subtle yet impactful change for many months to come.

Be encouraged to move at your own pace through this time of transition, giving yourself immense grace along the way.

Leave me a comment! What’s your favorite vintage find for transitioning your home to fall? I love hearing from you!

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If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more.

Here on the blog, you will find loads of inspiration for decorating with vintage and antique decor, simple DIY crafts and many thrifting adventures. If that interests you, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail. You will receive a free digital download as a thank you!