How to Transition Your Late Summer Decor with Subtle Hints of Autumn

Aug 26th 2025

woven baskets hold bouquets of sunflowers and other bright summer flowers

There comes a time in late summer when cooler evenings tease us with a taste of autumn. That’s the time for transitional decor that’s a visual counterpart to still-warm days and refreshingly cooler nights – decorations that do for your home what an apple does to your taste buds!

Rather than full-out fall, late summer decor is a softer blend of both seasons. Late summer decorating ideas add muted and neutral colors, more texture, and botanicals with a “here comes fall” feel.

We’ve chosen five favorite decorations that are neutral enough to nudge your summer decor into the muted shades of fall.

Switch Out Your Wreath

berries and leaves twig wreath in greens and cream

As gardens move past their prime, bright summer greens mellow to olive and gold. Exchanging a colorful floral summer wreath for something fall-forward is an easy switch. Replace blowsy blooms with wreaths and bouquets that are more neutral, with softer colors and greater emphasis on texture. For instance, the earthier colors of our berries and leaves twig wreath are perfect for late summer. The grapevine twig base, deep green leaves and muted tones of the berries hint at a season on the cusp of fall.

Add a Touch of Texture

grouping of carved wooden natural tone acorns with old books and dried hydrangea flowers

Textures shift to the forefront as vibrant summer colors fade. These etched wooden acorn tabletop decorations mingle well with early fall decorations, with a neutral color and simple texture that subtly hints at autumn. Display them in a neutral toned wooden tray or woven basket for additional appeal. Add a touch of autumn to your summer tabletop displays with etched wooden acorns.

Sneak in Subtle Hints of Fall

10-inch layered pinecone and burlap pumpkin

Orange pumpkins scream fall, but pumpkins in softer shades send a subtler seasonal message. Neutral colored pumpkins in wood, weaves, resin or fabrics are understated elements that mix well with other reminders of summer’s bounty. Anchor our burlap and pinecone pumpkin for tabletop or mantel with muted green or neutral garlands. Later in the season, add some brightly hued pumpkins and gourds, artificial apples, pears, acorns and other fall botanicals. Tuck a fall garland around your decor on a tabletop or mantel for an easy infusion of autumn color.

Keep it Warm with Wood

etched natural tone whitewashed wooden pillar style candle holders

As summer fades and night falls earlier, candles lend a warm glow to a cool evening. Add a welcoming light to your home with pillar candles on wood candle holders. Our set of etched antique style pillar candle holders, for instance, features fluted columns with intricate etching emphasized with a whitewash finish. Wood is a naturally neutral tone that blends with many of today’s popular decorating styles. It looks as beautiful with summer whites and creams as it will with even the boldest autumn color palette.

Chill with a Throw

Cozy knits and fleecy fabrics are an autumn decorating staple. When cooling late summer nights have you trading T-shirts for sweatshirts, toss a throw blanket on your patio chairs for extra comfort. Our cream woven throw blanket in a soft, brushed texture has all the warmth you need. Its versatile cream color is as compatible with patterned and plaid throw pillows in neutrals as with bright autumn shades.

Transitioning your seasonal decor from summer to fall doesn’t have to be drastic or obvious. Give your decor a nudge with objects, colors and textures that subtly hint at the best of the coming autumn.

Browse Christmas Central for more decor that will comfortably bridge the gap between late summer and early autumn.

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