When I first moved to Hawaii from Cleveland several years ago, the thing I missed most was the autumn season. Crisp leaves, apple cider, brisk air. But soon I found out that autumn does come to Hawaii, only in a much subtler way. The temperature cools, the days get shorter, the wind picks up, and hey, there’s plenty of football going on. And even though the changing leaves aren’t as obvious as some areas on the Mainland, if you look carefully, you can find them, which makes them even more special.

Autumn is definitely in season in Hawaii. If you’re like me, the new season puts you in a new mindset — and makes you want to fix up your home to match the mood. Bring some more apparent signs of the season into your home by choosing items that you feel good about this fall.

Let’s start with color. To get some inspiration, I always start by thinking about one of my favorite things about a new season: food. Fall food is comfort food. Think about the rich colors of hearty stews, squash, pears, apples, pumpkin pie and your own favorites when choosing accessories.

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Holly Weber, design consultant at Homeowners Design Center, suggests using colors such as saturated orange and brown hues to create warmth in the home. These can be in the form of throw pillows and blankets, or even hanging art. You can also kick it up and paint an entire room or an accent wall.

Weber also suggests incorporating some rustic elements to complement the theme. Add woven rugs and baskets. Think about materials. Steel and iron lamps and lighting add to the charm.

For a lighter commitment, consider freshening up your floral arrangements. Incorporate succulents and some not-so-typical plants such as flowering kale or ornamental cabbage. Arrange them in a playful vase or even in a wall hanging.

There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to decorating your home for the season. Go for what makes you feel good, and stick to what you love.

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