Fall isn’t just a season; it’s a feeling. In my world, like many things it’s another carefully curated experience. There are specific scents, activities and media that encapsulate the rainy, rust world of my childhood memories. Seasons are kind of moods you have to get yourself into though, so in case you’re missing any inspiration, these are things you need for fall and hopefully these essentials have you ready to curl up with a book or venture into the fallen leaves.

candles

Now, I mean all candles. Not just the three-wick Cinnamon Apple Smoky Pumpkin Flannel —titled ones you find for $12 each at Bath and Body Works. I’m talking taper candles, pillar candles, votive candles—the ones you can build up on a mantelpiece or place in an extravagant candelabra in the center of a dining table in low light. Candles are a great way to achieve minimal fall home decor. There’s something fun about pretending for a second that you’re living in a different time or that the power has gone out (which it inevitably will here in Minnesota). Pair with an open window and a cozy blanket for pure serotonin.

books

The moodiness of Victorian gothic novels scream October to me. Jane Eyre was one of my all-time favorite assigned books in AP literature and I chalk it up to Charlotte Bronte’s pensive characters and the mystery underlining the plot. These recs give you brooding romantic leads, descriptions of a manor house that appears to be haunted and the foggy moors, what else could you want to sip a cup of chai tea to?

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Practical Magic Series by Alice Hoffman

Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

decor

So I’ve gone a little crazy this year on decor, but I justify it through the knowledge that I’m building up my fall decor collection for use in years to come. Plus, my family hosts Thanksgiving and it’s an excuse to go nuts.

As far as my personal decor style goes, the closer I can have my space resembling the outdoors, the better. I like to go for understated stems and wood. Think less orange, more browns and greens. The best place for fall decor besides Target has to be Etsy because they have the unique finds: an inexpensive cheesecloth table runner and these adorable wood votive holders that give off a natural, rustic vibe were my favorites this year, but other ideas include:

blankets

faux stems (can be found at Target, Michael’s and HomeGoods!)

dried orange slices

fairy lights (for extra-long strands and battery-powered options, try Home Depot)

movies:

OOf, where to start, though in my opinion it doesn’t get better than Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin. Moody jazz, halloween costumes and the promise of candy (or, rocks?) carry so many core fall memories and laughs to go with. The list of fall and Halloween movies is rather endless, though I myself am becoming partial to what Tiktok is calling the Meg Ryan Fall. If you’re strong enough to stomach them, the Hallmark Fall Harvest movies also do a solid job of getting one into the fall mood. On my essential list:

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

When Harry Met Sally

Knives Out (2019)

Dead Poet’s Society

Little Women (2019)

Sleepless in Seattle

Practical Magic

Hocus Pocus

Halloweentown

TV shows:

Just like movies, there seem to be series that give off the perfect cozy or spooky feeling. My favorites to binge are:

Over the Garden Wall - Cartoon Network, Hulu

Gilmore Girls - __, Netflix

Anne With an E - Netflix

Stranger Things, season 1 and 2 - Netflix

Charmed - Netflix

I hope that this post has given you some inspiration for this season. Fall is such a special time of the year and you’re deserving of time to enjoy it!