Fall Decorating Ideas With Moody Colors + My New House Tour
Inside: The moody decorating aesthetic warms things up with its deep, dark rich colors and cozy textures, making it perfectly suited for fall. See how I infused moody accent colors into my not-so-moody rooms for a sophisticated fall look!
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Moody colors are having a moment in the interior design world. Dark, rich hues of green, brown, purple, and red along with always-sophisticated black create a cozy, warm, and inviting vibe. Which makes a moody color palette perfect for the cooler months of the fall season!
When I was planning the fall decorations for my new house this year, I was inspired by these luxe tones that seem to be coming back around from the nineties (remember the hunter green/burgundy jewel tones combo?)
While my home is not all-in on the moody aesthetic with its white walls, I was still able to participate in this trend by adding some of these sumptuous shades as fall accents to cozy things up.
Welcome to My New Home!
Before we start the tour of my moody fall color accent ideas, I have to let you in on a somewhat awkward secret.
I love my new house. But it’s not the unique, quirky, grand home that I’ve shown before—the one so different it inspired me to start the blog. Moving from it caused a nagging fear however unfounded, that you began following me because of that house. And that my new, more cookie-cutter home won’t be interesting enough to keep you coming back.
But if you’ve been with me for a while, you know the content here is rarely about my house itself. It’s more about ways to decorate any house with a fresh traditional style. For the seasons. It’s about fun entertaining ideas. And easy recipes.
All of your supportive comments about my unplanned move, and requests to see the new place have been a huge source of encouragement during some difficult days, and I appreciate them more than you know. I’m going to keep plugging along from my new downsized empty nest, talking about all those “home” things we both love.
So without further ado, let’s kick off its first official tour!
Fall Decor in the Entryway.
My new digs are much more manageable for me as an empty nester. Can I tell you how refreshing it is not to have to walk very far to any area? This villa does have a great layout with a mostly open concept to make it feel larger.
This is the view into the family room/kitchen area when you walk in the front door:
This area is the first thing you see and a focal point from both the dining room and kitchen, so I couldn’t miss a decorating opportunity here!
The “foyer” is really just a walkway, so I didn’t want a piece of furniture sticking way out here. I found the perfect-sized shallow console on FBMP but it wasn’t so perfect-looking. You can see its makeover in the post “How To Make Cheap Furniture Look Expensive: FBMP Makeover“.
These burgundy fall leaves were the first touch of autumn I added. After I fell in love with their dramatic pop of color, they became my inspiration for the color scheme for this year’s fall decor.
Burgundy has always been one of my favorite colors to wear even when it wasn’t “in” for home decor, so I’m elated it’s back here too! It’s even rumored to be Behr’s 2025 color of the year, “Rumors“. This deep dark reddish purple became my main fall decor color, along with some moody subdued greens.
Moody Fall Colors in the Dining Room.
On one side of the entryway is the dining room, and the other is my office.
My parent’s vintage chandelier made the move with me and makes it feel like home:
For fall, I filled the dining table with florals and natural elements in plum, green, and white in a long dough bowl. This nontraditional fall color scheme feels so fresh! I think this arrangement could go from this time of year all the way through the holidays, sans pumpkins.
Moody Fall Kitchen Decorating Ideas.
Let’s head into the kitchen next, where I’ve carried through a few touches of dark muted red. And added some pumpkins, of course!
The kitchen and family room are one large area, separated by this kitchen island:
I rehung the copper pots that I’ve collected on trips to Round Top, and put out the pumpkin serving bowl that I’ve used for several years. This was one of those unplanned seasonal decor purchases that just jumped into my cart at Target, but it’s become one of those special things I look forward to pulling out every year!
I mixed in some fresh red Anjou pears for the perfect deep red accent in a bowl with wicker pumpkins and white baby boos here on the island.
And a stack of plums was a great way to bring the same gorgeous purple-red to the kitchen as the branches in the entry.
The kitchen table got a dose of burgundy and black:
A folded fall plaid throw served as the table runner underneath a neutral fall centerpiece of a big black bowl and ivory fall foliage and pumpkins.
The pops of moody color came in with the burgundy napkins:
Neutral Fall Colors with Moody Accents in the Living Room.
This is the view of the family room from the kitchen sink. You can see how open all these areas are, so all the colors have to jive. (I love being able to see the TV so well while I’m in the kitchen!)
I kept the fall decor very neutral in here. Very mindful, very demure (Sorry I can’t get that stupid viral TikTok phrase out of my head.😂)
My gray velvet sofa is already a moody dark color with throw pillows in furry rich textures. I added an oversized fluffy boucle pumpkin—I found this large one at Homegoods, but I’ve seen slightly smaller ones everywhere including Walmart, Target, Pottery Barn, and Kirklands.
I created a coffee table by putting the two ottomans that go with the sofa together, and it makes the best place to stretch my feet out to snuggle in and watch TV.
For a touch of fall here, I placed a fall-scented candle on a stack of hunter green and tan books.
And added a fall-feeling gold pheasant from Hobby Lobby that I aged with a little black craft paint:
This entertainment center came with the house. I had the dark wood painted the color of the trim to make it seem more like a built-in and changed the knobs to update it.
I’m thinking about putting some wallpaper on the back between the shelves to add some texture and visual interest. What do you think?
One decorative element you’ll usually see in the moody decorating aesthetic is a vintage oil painting or two. I made my own with fall scenes so they didn’t cost me a dime—see this easy craft in the post “Make Your Own DIY Moody Vintage Faux Oil Painting For Free“.
I threw a soft gray-green throw blanket over the chair by the fireplace to make a cozy corner:
I did something a little wild for the fall fireplace mantle. I took a grapevine wreath that I had deconstructed for another fall mantel and let it flow naturally from the upper corner down to the floor on the other side.
I wired a few fall leaves haphazardly on the grapevine that I used on the fall tree from last year.
To finish, I tucked in some pumpkins and candlesticks and this simple fall mantle was complete!
And there’s one more burgundy fall accent that I was able to sneak into the family room on this side table:
Moody colors for fall aren’t limited to the ones I’ve used. There are some lovely oranges in muted earthy tones like burnt orange or spice that are an elegant way to bring in the more traditional warm colors of autumn. And brown is super chic right now. Amber bottles are on trend. and would make a perfect moody fall decorating accessory.
Thanks for taking the first fall tour in my new home with me—I hope you come back to visit often!
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Love your design aesthetic! I could move in and feel right at home. Can’t wait to see the rest of your new home. I am thinking about downsizing now, it’s a little scary and sad. Deciding what is coming with you, and what you will say goodbye to. You give me confidence that I can do it too!
I think a grass cloth wallpaper would look good in those bookshelves, add a little color and texture, but not take away from your collectibles.
Absolutely gorgeous. Well done!
How welcoming and comforting your downstairs looks. I love the overall mood it conveys, the flexibility it offers (I can imagine it in any season and any time of day), and the individual details that give it a distinctive personality (your entry console is BRILLIANT and, like others, my eye keeps straying to the unusual grapevine treatment on your mantel). Please share your wall color and yes, wallpaper or contrasting paint would look great on the back of your bookcases. Are you considering painting your kitchen cabinets? Given the impact of lightening up your backsplash, I’m thinking it must have crossed your mind.
Hi Kate, I was so happy and excited to see your beautiful new home…..
Thanks for sharing. Your style follows wherever you live…….
Love these fall colors.
Kate your new home is as stunning as your last home. You have a special gift for decorating. I can relate to much better to your new digs than I could to the mansion. I would not worry about loosing followers, I think you may even gain more since most people don’t live in mansions. Good job Kate
lovely, just lovely…look forward to future rooms….enjoy your new home!
It seemed to me that this move was made with mixed emotions for you, but I want you to know that I think what you have done with this house is exquisite! Burgundy is not one of my favorite colors. Yet, the use of it throughout your living area brings such a warmth and connection there. I especially like your narrow entrance decor and the grapevine decorations on the mantel, and the table runners. Now I’m ready to welcome fall! Pat yourself on the back for this project. You deserve it! I can’t wait to see what you do at Christmas!
I can’t believe how similar my taste runs like yours. Understated and comfortable elegance! It really looks so very pretty and I know about downsizing and empty nesting.
Hopefully, you will get to know the area and some neighbors and make a new friend or two! The calming nature of your post always inspires me. Take care.
Cheryl
Kate, thanks for sharing your beautiful new Villa with us. You have done such a great job with all your furniture and decor — plus all of your personal touches. Everything is just so lovely. You are blessed to be so talented! We appreciate you so much!
Also, Kate, I want to tell you that we have followed your blog because of you and the very special person you are — not because of your past home. You have brought — and will continue to bring us — all your posts full of so many wonderful DIY’s, decor ideas and helpful info about doing things in our own home. We have enjoyed each and every post — and will continue to do so.
Such a sweet picture of your little dog at the door! Enjoy your beautiful new Villa, Kate! I wish you lots of happiness in your new home! Bless you, Kate!
My comment should have been inspiration…dang autocorrect 🤦🏼♀️😜
While your previous home was beautiful and quite grand, your new home is just as beautiful! I think your personality comes through. I love the moody colors and I must say that the smaller home will probably be an opportunity for me to get more ideas as my home is open concept and a smidge over 2000 square feet. Keep the inspection coming and welcome to the world of empty nesters!
You have a lovely new home! Wonderful Autumn decor,too.
I love your blog and it has nothing to do with the size of your previous home. I can’t wait to see more.
Love your new home !! I always look forward to everything you share and post . I am never disappointed !!
Your ideas inspire me in my house and are beautiful !!
Please continue to be the positive inspiration to us!
Katrina
This is beautiful! I love the white chairs in the kitchen. And I love the grapevine wreath that you draped down the mantel! I don’t know how you’ve done this all so fast, but it looks fabulous and I look forward to more of your beautiful creations❣️🥰❤️
Thank you!
I’m so excited to see your new nest 😆 and prefer these fall colors to traditional rust/brown. Very brave to paint the large entertainment center. It turned out so well and does mimic a built in. I like the idea of the wallpaper in the niches and am curious to see colors/patterns you use.
Happy Fall! 😍
Thank you so much for sharing your new home with us! I think it is beautiful, and can’t believe how homey and warm it looks already. I loved your previous home, but truthfully I can relate more to this one, and already see several things that inspire me! I love the “built ins” (and vote yes for adding wallpaper in the backs of the shelves), the sofa, and the lovely chandelier!
I would love to know the source for the sofa and the paint colors used throughout. Excited to see more updates as you settle in and make it your own. Happy fall !!
Love your new home!! Your decorating always inspires me.
Love your new home Kate, looking forward to seeing the rest of your lovely home.
I’m so glad you shared this! I’ve been hoping to see your new home. It’s beautiful! Burgundy is my color!!!😊
It’s beautiful Kate! Can’t wait for you to share more!
Kate, Your new home is gorgeous! fabulous Ideas for fall and I love your colors. You have been a busy lady to make it happen so fast!,