In brief: When the evenings draw in, your home becomes the most important place of the week. Three things make it feel warm in autumn: light from several low-level sources, wool underfoot and fabrics you enjoy touching. Here, we show you three corners you can transform in an afternoon: the reading corner, the living room and the bedroom.
The basic rule: light at three heights
Most homes have one bright ceiling light per room, and that is precisely what makes the evening feel unwelcoming. Interior designers therefore plan lighting in layers. There is general lighting for tidying up, lighting for zones such as a reading chair or dining table, and small accents that highlight a wall or shelf. In the evening, keep the ceiling dark and let the room come alive through the lower layers. Choose warm white bulbs for this.
Corner 1: The reading corner
An armchair, a lamp and a blanket are all you need. The important thing is for the light to fall on the book from the side and slightly above, rather than shining straight into your face.
- The lamp: The Bhutan bamboo floor lamp by GOOD&MOJO has a bamboo shade and can be dimmed using an in-line switch. The Corsica table lamp works well on a side table, with an alder wood frame and fabric shade that diffuses the light softly.
- The blanket: The Amalia cotton blanket by benuta is handwoven and has a textured pattern you can feel beneath your fingers.
- Somewhere to rest your feet: A felt pouf such as the myfelt Levi is made from virgin wool felt, according to myfelt. It keeps its shape and can be used as a footstool or an extra seat.
Find more ideas in Reading Corner.
Corner 2: The living room
In autumn, a rug is the piece of furniture that makes the biggest difference. It softens sound, keeps your feet warm and visually brings a seating area together. A good rule of thumb for the size: the front legs of the sofa and armchairs should rest on the rug. If it is smaller, the seating area can look lost.
According to myfelt, felt ball rugs from myfelt in Berlin are handmade in Nepal from virgin wool from New Zealand. The top and underside are identical, so you can turn the rug over. Wool and cotton rugs from benuta in Bonn add to the selection of rugs. A care tip: wool does not like damp rooms, and you should dab stains rather than rub them.
Add a pendant light above the coffee table or dining table. The Kalimantan flat bamboo pendant light by GOOD&MOJO casts broad, soft light downwards through its flat bamboo shade.
Corner 3: The bedroom
In the bedroom, what touches your skin matters. Muslin is a cotton fabric made with slightly twisted threads, creating its characteristic crumpled look. hutch&putch from Heilbronn uses it in two layers, creating small air pockets. According to the manufacturer, the Eliane Midnight Blue muslin bedding does not need ironing and should be washed at 40 degrees without fabric softener.
A small lamp with a switch within easy reach is enough beside the bed, such as the Stavanger table lamp by It's about RoMi, with the switch directly on the shade. Find more bedding in Bedding.
Colours and materials for autumn
- Combine materials: Wood, wool, linen and cotton almost always work well together. A room feels warmer when several textures are brought together.
- Bring in colours from outside: Sand, olive, rust and deep blue feel calm in autumn light and pair well with light-coloured walls.
- Fewer, but larger: One large rug feels calmer than three small ones, and one floor lamp calmer than four candlesticks.
Frequently asked questions
Which light colour feels cosy?
Warm white. Cool white light works well in the kitchen and home office, while warm white light is more pleasant in the living room and bedroom in the evening.
How large should a living-room rug be?
It should be large enough for at least the front legs of the sofa and armchairs to rest on it.
How do I clean a felt ball rug?
myfelt recommends cleaning it dry: shake it out, beat it or vacuum it without a brush attachment. Remove individual stains with soap, warm water and a sponge.
Start with the lighting. Find our selection in Floor Lamps and Table Lamps.
