As autumn arrives, we wake up to that first hint of crispness in the air and pull our cozy sweaters out of the back of the closet. But, just like our wardrobes, our porches and outdoor spaces deserve a seasonal refresh too.
Welcome the changing season and prepare to embrace cozier moments with some simple tips from Joanna Branzell, founder and CEO of Joanna Branzell Interior Design.
You don’t need a large budget or even updated furniture to capture the season’s “sweater weather vibes,” she says.
“If you have a blank canvas for a porch, we can make anything happen,” says Branzell, who recently has relocated her eight-year-old company to downtown Reno in one of the remodeled historic homes nestled along the Truckee River. “Fill up your stoop, steps, or front entry with a spillover with pumpkins and fall colors.”
Branzell also recommends swapping out the bright summer-colored pillows and outdoor cushions for rich autumn hues such as rust, orange, amber and deep greens. Or, add a few classic fall staples such as a scarecrow or mums.
Before rushing out to buy new décor, take inventory of what you already own and donate what you won’t use again, Branzell advises.
Fall is Northern Nevada’s time to shine and many homeowners are transforming their outdoor spaces into extensions of their living areas to enjoy the cooler weather. Hanging solar-powered patio lights can add to the fall ambiance or soft throw blankets can help extend your time outdoors.
“It’s all about making it feel like our outdoor spaces are our secondary rooms, and for me sometimes I don’t even decorate the inside of my house for the fall,” Branzell says. “You let the leaves and everything else speak for itself and all of its natural beauty.”