How to Create a Welcoming Entryway for Fall

Whether you're opening the door to greet trick-or-treaters or having your inner circle over for a dinner party, it's safe to say that your entryway is the very first glimpse anyone gets of your décor style. So, once the holidays roll around, it's only natural to want to swath your foyer in seasonal accessories. The catch? There's a very fine line between autumnal decorations that are elevated and refined as opposed to kitschy. To help navigate this slippery slope in style—and prevent a decorating disaster in the process—three interior designers share their tips for mastering the look.

Be Selective

When it comes to an autumnal entryway, less is more. "Don't just buy any and everything fall- or Halloween-related at discount shops," shares Chicago-based designer Joy Williams. "I suggest being thoughtful about what you bring in." Instead of buying a bunch of seasonal accents—and hoping they meld well—Williams recommends taking a pared-back approach. (After all, you'll never regret springing for an item that transcends seasonality or trends.) Avoiding obvious, cliché signage is another must, she adds: "Stay away from signs that overtly announce that it is fall," she shares. "In my personal opinion, it's a turn off—this season is about nature and harvests."

Mix and Match

Fall is the season of cozy textiles (chunky sweaters, included). According to Mimi & Hill's Miriam Verga, it's possible to bring that idea straight into your entryway. The key? Mixing and matching materials. "If possible, add a little leather. Interchanging summer vases with black accessories also adds the depth the season requires," notes Verga. Warm woods and vintage finds—with a hint of patina—will give your space some extra warmth, while telling the story of autumn in the process. Another benefit to giving your foyer the tactile treatment? Any color scheme works. While neutrals or a monochromatic palette will evoke an undeniable air of sophistication, pops of warm tones, like red, orange, or yellow, bring fall front and center.

Go Big with Greenery

From the leaves' changing colors to the air's unmistakable crispness, fall is when Mother Nature really shines. With that in mind, why not pay tribute to the great outdoors in your entryway, which is just a step away from your exterior? "There's no easier way to bring in a fall feeling than with autumnal foliage," shares Kentucky-based designer Isabel Ladd. "I add a combination of no-maintenance papier mâché and wooden florals to vases." Williams agrees, pointing to mums and ornamental wheat as fail-safe options; placing seasonal flowers in a vase or draping a leafy garland over a console table blurs the lines between outside and inside, giving your next soirée autumnal elegance, too.

Celebrate Your Heritage

Williams also likes to celebrate her heritage in this space. "Because I come from a culture that was historically denied land and heritage—and we survived by knowing how to harvest and tend the land—I love to celebrate and add a cultural component to my fall décor," Williams adds. "I display my collection of mudcloth, Kente, and other African artifacts alongside greenery and harvest [fruits]."

Make Room for Mood Lighting

For avid entertainers, the entryway is the first opportunity to set the scene for an intimate party. Fortunately, it's easy to create a warm, inviting atmosphere with the help of some lighting. Dimming your overhead lights or adding a table lamp to your console are two easy ways to get the job done—but Williams recommends lighting that appeals to all of the senses. "I also think candles are a chic way to decorate for fall," she shares. "Individual tall candles are always stylish in groupings." A smattering of candles can create a seasonal, inviting glow year-round, but, if you want to make your entryway feel a bit more seasonal, incorporate options with notes of clove, leather, or musk.