7 Instant Home Decor Updates Top Designers Swear By

Oct 11, 2024

'Tis finally fall, and a new season is a perfect time to refresh your home with minor upgrades that don't cost a ton of money. We asked top designers what they think are the most affordable ways to upgrade your home. From a fresh coat of paint to new lighting fixtures to no-cost upgrades, here are the cheapest ways to refresh a room without breaking your decor budget.

#1: Paint

Graham & Brown

Whether you refresh a wall, a whole room, or your front door, paint can dramatically transform your space. "Consider painting your baseboards and ceilings to match your wall color for a truly impactful overall effect," says Kirsten Blazek of LA-based design firm A1000XBetter.

UK-based Graham & Brown announced its Color of the Year 2025: Elderton, a neutral toned brown inspired by nature. Looking for more inspiration? These paint colors are expert-loved for creating a warm, happy home!

"Whether you choose a bold, rich shade or a soft neutral, paint can dramatically change the style and mood of a room without needing any major renovations," echoes Amanda Leigh, cofounder of LA-based design firm House of Rolison. "Plus, it's often a DIY project, making it a simple and budget-friendly way to create a big impact."

Lemieux et Cie

Christiane Lemieux, founder of modern luxury shop Lemieux et Cie, agrees. "Repainting is an affordable way to transform a room by changing its color palette. It refreshes the walls, updates the look, and can make spaces feel bigger, cozier, or more modern, depending on your choice of color."

#2: Lighting

Lemieux et Cie

Statement lighting can also transform your space, from offering a more impactful design aesthetic to better functionality. "Swapping out old or dated lighting fixtures for more contemporary or statement pieces is a cost-effective way to enhance the overall feel of a room," adds Lemieux. This Cheverny Large Chandelier is a gorgeous way to make a statement in your space.

Nils Timm

Design: House of Rolison

Leigh agrees that lighting often gets overlooked, but it's one of the most effective ways to change the feel of a room. "Cool, harsh lighting can feel sterile, while warm, ambient lighting creates a more welcoming and cozy vibe," says Leigh. "Go for energy-efficient LED bulbs with a color temperature between 2500K and 2700K for that perfect glow."

#3: Wallpaper

Lemieux et Cie

"Wallpaper can transform a space by adding color, texture, and personality to walls, creating a more inviting or sophisticated atmosphere," says Taylor Hahn, cofounder of House of Rolison. "It can make a room feel larger, cozier, or more vibrant, depending on the design." Choose a bold pattern or subtle texture, says Leigh. "We love sourcing unique yet cost effective options on Etsy, and other online retailers."

I love this Painterly Labyrinth Wallpaper from Lemieux et Cie!

#4: Hardware

Nils Timm

Design: House of Rolison

"Replacing cabinet and drawer hardware is a small investment with a big payoff," says Lemieux. Upgrade your hardware on kitchen and bathroom cabinets and drawers for major impact. "This small change can create a cohesive and polished look, transforming even basic furniture or cabinets into something more sophisticated without breaking the bank," says Amr Samaha of Samaha Studio.

#5: Declutter + Organize

Lemieux et Cie

You don't always have to spend money on home upgrades to make a beautiful difference. "Tidying up and removing unnecessary items can instantly make a home feel more spacious, clean, and organized," says Lemieux. Fall in love again with the things that bring you joy. "By editing clutter, you create a more serene and functional space without spending any money." Organized areas can also highlight your home's architecture and design features, she says.

#6: Flooring

Nils Timm

Design: House of Rolison

Whether you choose to remove carpet, sand existing floors, or upgrade your flooring, it can instantly enhance the look and feel of your space. "New flooring can define a room’s style while increasing home value," says Hahn. "It doesn’t have to be expensive either! You can score amazing deals on real wood and tile from flooring warehouses, overstock sales in showrooms, or even offer up and Facebook marketplace!" she adds.

#7: Rearrange Furniture

Lemieux et Cie

Before you spend a dime upgrading your space, look around and see how your furniture can function better in a room. "Simply moving your furniture around can dramatically change the flow and perception of a space," says Lemieux. "You can improve the room's functionality, make it feel more open, and even highlight natural lighting. Rearranging is entirely free but can breathe new life into your home."

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Candle Lovers! We Found 20 Fall Scents You'll Want To Burn All Day Long

Candles add an extra layer of coziness to the season. Whether you're curling up with a good book, hosting a fall gathering, or just looking to create a cozy vibe, the right fall candle can transform your space into a fall-scented haven. From the warm, spicy notes of cinnamon and clove to the sweet scents of pumpkin, apple, and vanilla, these are our favorite candles for the season.

Fall Scented Candles

Nest

Nest Pumpkin Chai Classic Candle

Your favorite tea and this blend of wild pumpkin, spicy masala chai, cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon will warm you right up this season.

Nordstrom

Apotheke Pumpkin Ginger 3-Wick Candle

Brighten your fall days with fresh roasted pumpkin topped with a spicy blend of ginger, clove, and cinnamon.

Anthropologie

Voluspa Japonica Spiced Pumpkin Latte Glass Jar Candle

Pumpkin spice girls will love this Spiced Pumpkin Latte candle with a hint of vanilla.

Amazon

Calyan Wax Apples & Maple Bourbon

Your sweet tooth might be tempted by this brown sugar, maple syrup, baked apple and a drop or two of Kentucky's finest infused with cinnamon leaf, tangerine, mandarin, and orange essential oils.

Anthropologie

Anthropologie Handpainted Pumpkin Glass Pumpkin Candle

For a more decorative vessel, check out this Anthro handpainted glass candle with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon bark, amber, and cedarwood.

Sweet Water Decor

Sweet Water Fall Leaves Candle

Light up your childhood memories with this fall leaves scented candle with notes of apple, orange, cinnamon, and cloves.

Rejuvenation

Rejuvenation Harvest Pumpkin Linnea Candle

Handcrafted in small batches, this candle is autumn in a jar with pumpkin, thyme, and warm spices .

Nordstrom

Homesick Peak Foliage Candle

Imagine a cool fall day with hot apple cider and pumpkin spice and you have this candle. Top notes include nutmeg, lemon, and eucalyptus.

Brooklyn Candle Studio

Brooklyn Candle Limited Edition Toasted Pumpkin

Toasted pumpkin seeds, cardamom, nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon notes are the scent of chill in the air and soup on the stove. Made in Brooklyn, these soy wax candles are vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, and petroleum-free.

Williams Sonoma

Williams Sonoma Pumpkin Spice Candle

This beeswax and vegetable wax blend features a classic scent for the coziest fall days.

Amazon

FF Spiced Pumpkin Scented Candle

Relax with an aromatherapy of pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla.

Forvr Mood

Forvr Mood Spice of Life Candle

B+C editor Jasmine loves this fiery, bold fragrance that blends ginger, lemongrass, and clementine. Forvr Mood collabed with Claude Kameni, an African designer who uses traditional Nigerian patterns, to design each vessel with a custom Kameni print. It makes a great gift!

Woodsy Fall Scents

Jenni Kayne

Jenni Kayne Cedar Candle

Grab your cozy fall sweater and sit by a candle fire with romantic notes of rose, tobacco leaf, fir needle, and cedarwood.

HomeCourt

HomeCourt Cece Candle

This new brand from actress Courtney Cox uses eco-friendly and sustainably sourced ingredients. The Cece Candle has notes of cedarwood smoke, sweet cardamom, cinnamon, and white leather.

(Malin + Goetz)

(Malin + Goetz) Leather Candle

The rustic smell of smooth leather combined with muted florals has a bit of a '70s vintage vibe.

Public Goods

Public Goods Cedar & Suede Soy Candle

This sandalwood, jasmine, Turkish rose, amber, and notes of leather bring you warm and woodsy spice at home.

Baobab Collection

Les Prestigieuses Encre De Chine Scented Candle

This is another one of Jasmine's favorites with hints of leather, sequoia, and amber.

Buck Mason

Buck Mason LP Candle

B+C editor Kayla loves this hand-poured ceramic candle inspired by Lone Pine, California with notes of atlas cedar, charred hickory, musk, and amber. "I use it every day, it's that good!," she says.

Anthropologie

Capri Blue Volcano Capiz Jar Candle

B+C editor Haley loves this popular citrus scent for fall with sugared oranges, lemons, and limes. Plus, the pearl-esque jar goes with all of her home decor as she shifts from season to season!

Otherland Moonstruck Candle

B+C editor Meredith finds this one "not overtly fall-y, but I’ve been loving it for the woody/leathery smell! It honestly smells like incense." The Moonstruck variety has hints of sweet myrrh, white mahogany, and smoked birch.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

11 Perfect Red Cardigans You'll Want To Be Seen In This Fall

I spent all of high school, and most of college, avoiding the color red. With my very minimal understanding of color analysis, I'd absorbed the idea that because of my cool undertones, I needed to stick in the blue-green-purple world. Plus, the fact that my alma mater's colors are blue (and one of our rival's is red) meant I'd never really needed shades of cranberry, auburn, or ruby. But one clothing swap, When Harry Met Sally movie night, and red sweater later, and my approach to fashion totally changed. Because just like our skin has cool and warm undertones, so do clothes! Now I love wearing my H&M turtleneck sweater, especially since I can recreate one of Meg Ryan's most iconic outfits.

And when red cardigans started trending for fall this year? I became laser focused on a single mission: find the perfect red cardigan and find it quick. But of course my thorough, Type A, oldest daughter mentality meant that to find the perfect sweater, I had to scroll through hundreds of options. Red cardigans are like wearing red lipstick — they're an easy, bold addition to any outfit! Here are the best results, per my very thorough research.

Red cardigans are an easy, bold way to brighten any outfit.
Red cardigans can work for any skin tone because they come in so many tones.
Here are an editor's picks — including Old Navy, Target, and J. Crew — after scrolling through hundreds of options.

Old Navy SoSoft Crop Red Cardigan Sweater

Old Navy

These Old Navy cardigans have taken the internet by storm, and for good reason. They come in multiple colors, they're ultra flattering, and they're super soft. The 53 percent cotton x 24 percent recycled polyester is like wrapping yourself up in a blanket, but it's not thick enough that you'll sweat through it. And to top it off, while writing this story, the Old Navy site is telling me 3,839other usersviewed this item today. Grab one while you can!

Target Cozy Knit Button-Front Red Cardigan

Target

Target is always one of my favorite places to hop on a trend while staying within my budget, and its red cardigans are no different. This pick had midweight fabric (made with polyester, acrylic, and spandex) and I'm obsessed with the dimension the ribbed cuffs and tortoiseshell buttons add!

Target Rib Pearl Shrunken Sweater Cardigan

Target

Prefer thinner fabric? This red cardigan has the same classy neckline but features faux pearl buttons that Blair Waldorf would be all over. The cropped hemline is perfect for all your high-rise denim, and considering this sweater comes to just $24, you might as well grab another color or the perfect pair of fall shoes.

Banana Republic Red Ribbed Merino Cardigan

Banana Republic

I love a crew neckline, but if you're more a V-neck fan, Banana Republic has you covered. The split cuffs and rib knit is ultra modern, and the slim fit means it's perfect for layering. But my favorite part is BR's Responsible Wool Standard that makes sure the sheep themselves are protected.

Zara Smooth Knit Crop Cardigan

Zara

I'm obsessed with this Zara single-button cardigan just for how unexpected it is. This is great for days you want extra color and dimension but you don't need the warmth of a sweater. The silhouette and square button are classy, but the asymmetrical look gives it a new age look.

Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Rachel Cardigan

Urban Outfitters

If you're looking for a super bright red cardigan, definitely check out this Urban Outfitters piece. If you look closely, you can see it features just a bit of white or gray alongside the red, which makes the whole thing even more eye-catching! Pair with an LBD or my favorite combo: white tee, jeans, and sneakers.

Mango Curly-Knit Red Cardigan With Jewel Buttons

Mango

Speaking of LBDs, if you need a red cardigan to dress up an outfit, this cozy sweater is great for any occasion. Despite the fact the cardigan is all one color, the different designs along the hem, collar, and buttons provide plenty of contrast. I'm a firm believer in "the devil's in the details," and these jewel effect buttons prove it!

J. Crew Featherweight Cashmere Pointelle Shrunken Cardigan Sweater

J. Crew

If you'd describe your style as kitsch, this pointelle sweater will add the perfect dose of creativity to your fall outfits.The design (and four pockets) give it a super cute vintage look, but the cropped hemline and fitted silhouette make it modern enough to go with all the latest trends.

Aritzia Cashmere Relaxed Crew Cardigan

Aritzia

In need of a football game outfit? Something to dress up your grocery store look while staying comfy? This cardigan is what you're looking for. The 100 percent Grade-A cashmere just might make you feel like you're wearing pajamas, and the midweight fabric will keep you warm without leaving you overheated. And once it really gets cold, you can layer it with your favorite turtleneck!

Free People Most Wanted Cardi

Free People

If you're still in desperate need of warm-weather options, this short sleeve piece will give the illusion that you're wearing a cardigan without committing to a thick, fuzzy sweater. The cap sleeves and flayer hem are totally reminding me of all the peplum silhouettes I saw on red carpets this fall. The deep cherry color is also great for anyone who prefers toned-down shades.

French Connection Fluffy Knit Cardigan

Macy's

Every time I see a piece from French Connection, it stops me in my tracks, and this red cardigan is no exception. It's relaxed, it's bold, it's adorable. I love the way the color of the buttons blend into the sweater, while the shiny material still stands out against the fabric. Wear it buttoned with just a bralette or overtop of a bodysuit! It goes good with everything.

Check out 12 Flattering Target Sweaters For Cozy Fall Days for more!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations

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This Charming Coastal Home Renovation Totally Captures The Nancy Meyers Aesthetic

The Pacific Palisades is an upscale neighborhood in LA that sits on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It has a small town feel in the midst of a big city with its charming shops, restaurants, and hiking trails, plus a 22-mile beachfront bike path. When homeowners Julie and Kent reached out to Sierra Fox, designer and principal of Studio Mountain, they wanted to translate that feeling into their home, and create a space that felt elegant and elevated yet cozy enough for their three children, at the time all under 10 years of age.