There’s just something about a crisp fall morning, with a cool breeze and colourful leaves that make you want to cozy up indoors. Fall is the season of layered textures, lush colours, and scents that wrap you in a warm hug. With a few smart swaps, you can turn your home’s interior into a snug retreat that embraces the season. Hot cider is optional but highly encouraged.

“Your accents are what’s going to make you transition (a space),” says Rose Luxton, owner of Lakeside Livin’. But you don’t need to overhaul your home with reds and oranges. Luxton notes that while burnt orange will always be in season, moody purples and earthy mushroom shades have grown in popularity, evoking a feeling of being grounded.

Fabulous FALL FADS
Contributed by FOR Living, Oakville

While autumn can be a homey and nostalgic season, decor can go far beyond the traditional. Traditional elements still have value, especially for their familiarity and comfort (think pumpkins, leaves, rich autumn tones), but designers are definitely experimenting — updating, refreshing, and reinterpreting the ‘look’ of fall each season. These may include…

Earthy, nature-inspired hues: Warm clay, terracotta, olive, honeyed ochre, moss — even smoky plums — are being used more intentionally, often in muted or mid-tone versions rather than oversaturated brights.

Mixed textures and layered materials: Combining velvet, boucle, raw wood, rattan, and stone, to bring visual interest and tactile warmth.

Patina, vintage accents, and finds with history: Instead of brand-new decorations that feel seasonal-only, mixing in thrifted or aged pieces gives character. Think antique rug pillows, found objects or historic art paintings.

Marnie Warman, Owner, and lead designer at InteriorDesign House, recommends decorating in “tones that reflect your current home colours.” Interior Designer Sarah Gunn of Gunn & Co. is also a fan of “layering in patterns that introduce richer shades of your home’s existing colours.”

Layering textiles for cozy comfort

From chunky knit throws to heavy quilts, throw pillows and textured area rugs, textiles can bring depth and coziness to a room, transforming your home into a warm autumn oasis. Don’t stop at the living room. Textiles can play a role in the bedroom, too. “Swap bed linens for flannel sheets (and) layer a quilt or blanket across the foot of the bed,” Gunn says.

Nature is your centrepiece

Welcome fall at the front door and beyond. Create a welcoming autumn entry by swapping summer container pots for colourful mums or hanging a seasonal wreath.

And don’t forget to give your house plants a seasonal update. Luxton likes to add a fall vibe by re-potting her existing house plants in fall containers.

Lighting is an important detail in creating your autumn ambiance. Softer light instantly activates snuggle mode. Luxton’s simple tip for making a room feel cozier is to swap lamp shades for darker, textured fabric shades.

Finally, aromas such as apple pie and cinnamon are so happy-making, scientific studies have confirmed their link to feelings of warmth, comfort, and nostalgia in the brain’s emotion and memory centres. Choose scented candles, fragrant mists, diffusers, or a simmer pot of cloves, orange peel and cinnamon on the stove, for a true experience of home-sweet-home.

Go big. Luxton reminds us that fall is not the season to be minimalist with decor. “People just love to add extra layers in their home (in fall),” she says. So, bring in the soft throws, pile on the plump pillows and let every corner of your home wrap you in fall’s embrace.

Inside the home, Warman uses her dining room table as a year-round stage for seasonal change. Using a container that suits the size and scale of the table, she begins with good quality artificial greens as the base and adds something new each season to reflect the time of year. Acorns, pinecones, gourds and branches are great natural elements for fall.

Faux florals are also a great way to add seasonality to your decor. “I have an oversized vintage basket filled with faux leaves that I set out each season,” Gunn says.

Local Links:

Anderson’s Interiors
686 Guelph Line, Burlington
andersonsinteriors.ca

FOR Living
75 Navy Street, Oakville
for-living.ca

Gunn & Co.
gunnandco.ca

House Warmings
550 Speers Road
Unit #3, Oakville
housewarmings.ca

Interior Design House
4047 Fairview Street, Burlington
interiordesignhouse.com

Lakeside Livin’
100 Bronte Road, Oakville
lakesidelivin.com

BY: Lisa Evans

With housing prices remaining high across the GTA and beyond, more homeowners are turning to garden suites as a smart solution to generate rental income, create space for multi-generational living, or boost long-term resale value. Designed with independence and privacy in mind, a secondary dwelling can adapt to changing needs, adding long-term flexibility to your home. It may sound like a big undertaking, but with a solid plan, the right approvals, and a skilled builder, creating a secondary suite is more achievable than you think.

What is a Garden Suite?

Municipalities officially classify garden suites as Additional Residential Units (ARUs). In plain terms, that means a self-contained living space with its own kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping areas, located on the same property as a primary home. Brian DosRamos, President of Ever After Custom Homes, notes the clear shift toward spaces that emphasize family and sustainability.

Planning Makes Perfect

Getting started on a garden suite, or any secondary dwelling, begins with laying solid groundwork. First, hire an architect or designer to draft a plan that aligns with both your vision and municipal zoning rules. Professionals will help ensure your suite is functional and compliant with relevant codes.“We are seeing an increase in families wanting multi-generational homes and investment options included in their new homes,” he says. “It’s important to find ways to create more housing options within our established neighbourhoods.”

“Care must be taken to provide space and patterns of access that establish boundaries for each inhabitant’s respectful use of the exterior.” JOHN WILLMOTT

John Willmott, Principal Architect at Willmott & Strickland, explains that every project starts with context. “I first consider the scale, massing, compatibility, and relationship it has with the existing house,” he says. “Zoning by-laws determine the size, setbacks, height, and other regulations. And while municipalities are encouraging garden suites, having someone living in your backyard will potentially impact the homeowner’s enjoyment, so care must be taken to provide space and patterns of access that establish boundaries for each inhabitant’s respectful use of the exterior.”

Architects are also invaluable when adapting existing structures. Beyond design, they can help source contractors and oversee construction to make sure the vision is carried out as conceived.

Next, you’ll need to secure the necessary permits, a step that varies depending on local regulations but is critical for avoiding delays or penalties. Several municipalities now offer financial support to encourage this type of project.

Small Space, Big Design

WILLMOTT & STRICKLAND Designing a garden suite is all about balancing comfort, privacy, and long-term value. Working closely with a builder allows you to make the most of a compact footprint — maximizing usable space, building in smart storage solutions, and incorporating multifunctional designs that adapt to different needs.

“The space needs to be curated for the intended user from phase one of design,” DosRamos says. “That may mean barrier-free access for an aging family member, a larger kitchen for someone who loves to cook, or even a dedicated office space if the suite is meant to be a rental for a remote worker.” He also stresses maximizing natural light and airflow, noting that “sunlight and cross breezes are critical to creating healthy, happy spaces.”

BEFORE YOU BUILD

Talk to a local real estate agent to learn current market trends. They can help you:

• Determine the demand for rental units in your area
• Assess property value to optimize your investment
• Connect you to knowledgeable professionals

Future value should also guide decision-making. “Thoughtful design will ensure that the suite fits with the home, property, and community,” says DosRamos. He points to energy-efficient choices like triple-glazed windows, in-floor radiant heating, and upgraded insulation, as well as smart home features. Building to high standards now, he explains, creates long-term value and minimizes costly upgrades later.

With the right combination of intention, efficiency, and details, a secondary dwelling becomes more than an extra unit. It’s a flexible, valuable extension of your home.

Local Links

Ever After Custom Homes
everafterhomes.ca

Wilmott & Strickland
willmottstrickland.ca

BY NICOLE HILTON