A subtle fall. Just a smidge, please . . .

Are you intrigued by the minimalist movement, but don’t want to give up seasonal touches altogether? Maybe you’ve done the full Hobby Lobby-type display in years past but are Just. Not. Feelin’ it. This year? Right there with ya.

But simple doesn’t just mean using less. It takes some intentionality to make your seasonal decorations look pulled together –and not like a lone pumpkin just fell out of someone’s pocket! (I know. No one carries a pumpkin in their pocket. But for me, it captures the idea of something left behind and out of place.)

Here are some ideas for achieving a subtle seasonal look:

(And BTW: these principles work for all the seasons –even that really big one people can go super crazy over, . . . sometime in December 😉 )

Concentrate on a single type of seasonal object.

For example, decorate with only pumpkins, or acorns, or leaves, etc. (or bells, stockings, angels, etc. for Christmas.)

By picking one element, you create a cohesive theme that isn’t overwhelming. Use similar pieces for ultimate simplicity or a variety of textures for a little more “umph.”

Use a simple color palette.

Consider colors next to each other on the color wheel (like greens and blues). Even softer, use neutrals (like grays or tans) or whites and creams, for a super clean look. Want a cohesive and simplified look with a little more drama? Use golds and silvers. (Spray paint is your friend here.)

Much of what makes traditional fall displays feel “in your face” is the contrast: a bright orange pumpkin with black and white buffalo check ribbon is high on visual contrast. And that’s a legitimate look. Some people really enjoy the striking impact such schemes have. I am often one of them. But for those who prefer a subtler approach, a simple color palette offers cohesiveness while dialing back the visual statement.

Match your seasonal decor to the existing colors in your home.

My Aunt Dianne had beautiful “decorator Christmas trees” before decorator trees were a thing. Every holiday decoration coordinated with the color scheme of each room. Oh, what a happy place it was for this little budding designer’s heart.

Visual harmony is very calming and naturally pleasing to the eye–and therefore, contributes positively to how we feel in a space. So, if traditional seasonal decor feels garish to you, focus on just a few elements that coordinate with your existing color palette.

With the retail industry taking full advantage of the seasonal decorating hype, you’d be surprised how many different colors you can find on a pumpkin these days.

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This principle is similar to the one above in that it seeks to reduce contrast, but it does so from a different angle.

If you can’t find your preferred color, paint it! A little painters tape on the stem, a 50 cent bottle of acrylic paint, and voila: this dollar store pumpkin looks custom made for it’s surroundings.

Finally, what are the most visually prominent places in your home (like the front door, a mantle, etc.) or most used spaces (like the kitchen sink area, that hall table everyone passes, the most used bathroom, etc.)? Focus your subtle–but intentional–seasonal genius in these places, so it looks like the whole house got the memo (without actually having to decorate the whole house.)

* If you’d like a wreath kit similar to one I used above, check out @eyesofanowlaz on IG!

Top Photo: Carmen Gonzalez on Unsplash