As summer winds down and the first hints of fall begin to appear, many homeowners start looking at their homes a little differently.

The days become shorter. Natural light changes. We spend more time indoors. Suddenly, the living room that felt perfectly comfortable in July may feel like it needs a little more warmth, or the bedroom that looked bright and airy all summer may benefit from softer textures and more inviting layers.

The good news? Refreshing your home for fall does not have to mean a major renovation.

Some of the biggest changes can come from thoughtful updates to color, texture, lighting, furniture and, perhaps most importantly, your windows.

Current design trends are moving toward homes that feel warmer, more personal and more tactile. Houzz’s 2026 U.S. Emerging Summer Trends Report found significant increases in searches for warm, earthy colors, including rust, chocolate brown, mushroom, sage, taupe and cream. Searches for “woven wood shades” have also been increasing, reflecting the growing interest in natural materials and texture.

So, as we head into fall, here are five ways to give your home a fresh look without starting from scratch.

1. Bring Warmth Into Your Home With Color

Fall decorating does not have to mean covering every surface in orange, red and pumpkin motifs.

Instead, consider introducing warmer, more sophisticated colors that can remain beautiful long after Thanksgiving.

Think:

• Warm taupe
• Mushroom
• Cream
• Camel
• Chocolate brown
• Terracotta
• Muted sage
• Olive
• Dusty blue
• Warm wood tones

These colors can be incorporated through pillows, throws, rugs, artwork, upholstery and, of course, window treatments.

Houzz’s 2026 trend research found that searches for rust-colored interiors increased 178%, while searches for chocolate brown increased 153%. Searches for mushroom, sage, taupe and cream were also up. The trend points toward interiors that feel grounded and comfortable rather than stark or overly minimal.

And what about Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year?

Interestingly, Pantone went in a softer direction for 2026.

PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is a soft, airy white that Pantone selected as its 2026 Color of the Year. The compan

y describes the color as a symbol of calm and clarity and compares it to a blank canvas that creates room for creativity.

While Cloud Dancer may seem like the opposite of a traditional fall palette, that is actually what makes it so interesting.

A soft white can act as the foundation for richer autumn colors. Imagine creamy walls paired with warm wood, woven textures, olive green, rust, caramel or chocolate brown.

The result is not necessarily a “fall-themed” room. It is a warm, layered room that happens to feel especially beautiful in fall.

 

2. Make Texture the Star

One of the easiest ways to make a room feel warmer is to add texture.

Think about the difference between a room filled with smooth, hard surfaces and one that incorporates woven materials, linen, wool, velvet, wood and natural fibers. Even when the color palette remains relatively neutral, the room can feel dramatically richer.

This is one reason woven window treatments continue to attract attention.

Houzz reported that searches for woven wood shades increased nearly 1.5 times in its 2025 U.S. Emerging Summer Trends data. The same report found a strong interest in wood and other natural materials.

For a fall refresh, consider:

Woven wood shades for natural texture and warmth.

Roman shades for a softer, tailored appearance.

Fabric shades when you want to introduce color, pattern or subtle texture.

Drapery panels for softness and visual height.

Layered window treatments when you want both functionality and a more finished designer look.

Window treatments can be one of the most effective ways to introduce texture because they occupy a significant amount of visual space in a room without requiring you to replace your furniture.

3. Rethink Your Windows Before You Rethink Your Entire Room

Here’s something homeowners sometimes overlook: the windows can completely change how a room feels.

A room may have beautiful furniture, flooring and accessories, but if the windows are left unfinished, the space can still feel incomplete.

The right window treatment can help frame the architecture, control incoming light, provide privacy and tie together the colors and textures already present in the room.

And there isn’t one solution that works for every home.

A bedroom might call for room-darkening shades and soft drapery.

A dining room might benefit from elegant Roman shades.

A kitchen may need something practical that handles changing light throughout the day.

A living room with large windows may look beautiful with woven shades layered with decorative drapery.

And an unusually shaped window, bay window, skylight, transom or sliding glass door may require a more customized approach.

At KL Interiors LLC, window treatments are designed around the individual room, the architecture and the way the homeowner actually uses the space. Kim Luikert works with custom draperies, shades, shutters, decorative treatments and motorized options, including challenging window configurations such as arches, bay windows, transoms, skylights,  two-story windows and sliding glass doors.

That customization is important because a window treatment should not simply cover a window. It should become part of the room’s overall design.

4. Layer Your Window Treatments for a More Finished Look

Layering is one of the easiest ways to make a room feel more intentional.

Instead of thinking about window coverings as simply “blinds or curtains,” consider how multiple elements can work together.

For example:

A Roman shade + stationary drapery panels

This combination can provide privacy and light control while adding softness and architectural interest.

A woven shade + decorative drapery

The woven material introduces natural texture, while the drapery brings in color or pattern.

A shade + valance

For more traditional interiors, a custom valance can create a polished, tailored appearance.

A shade + side panels

This is a particularly effective way to visually frame a window and make it feel larger and more substantial.

Current design reporting also points toward a move away from rigid, overly minimal interiors and toward spaces with more texture, personality and collected layers. Houzz’s design professionals have highlighted warm earthy palettes, natural materials, layered textures and more individualized interiors as important directions in recent home design.

As one Houzz-reported designer put it, clients are increasingly interested in interiors that feel “lived-in and unique.”

That is a great philosophy for fall decorating.

Your home does not need to look like a showroom. It should look like your home, only more finished

5. Choose Updates That Make Your Home Feel Better, Not Just Look Different

A successful home refresh is about more than aesthetics.

The best design choices solve a problem.

Is the afternoon sun too bright in your family room?

Does your bedroom need more privacy?

Are certain windows difficult to reach?

Do you want to soften the appearance of a large wall of glass?

Would your room benefit from additional texture?

Are you tired of manually adjusting multiple shades throughout the day?

These are the kinds of questions that can lead to better design decisions.

And this is where today’s window treatment options can combine beauty and function.

Custom shades are available in a wide variety of fabrics, textures, colors and operating systems. KL Interiors, LLC. works with multiple national window treatment manufacturers, giving homeowners access to a range of styles and solutions rather than limiting a project to one particular collection or brand.

That means the goal isn’t to find a particular shade and then make your room work around it.

The goal is to find the right window treatment for your room.

A Fall Refresh Doesn’t Have to Mean Starting Over

One of the biggest misconceptions about decorating is that creating a new look requires replacing everything.

It doesn’t.

Sometimes the room you already love simply needs a few thoughtful changes.

A new shade can introduce texture.

A pair of custom drapery panels can add softness and height.

A warmer fabric can completely change the mood of a room.

A woven shade can bring in a natural element.

A new color palette can make existing furniture feel fresh again.

And the right window treatments can bring several of these changes together at once.

This fall, rather than asking, “What do I need to replace?”, consider asking:

“What could I change that would make this room feel more like me?”

That question can lead to a much more meaningful design.

Fall Is Also a Great Time to Consider Motorized Window Treatments

Once you’ve selected the style, fabric and functionality you want, motorization can add another layer of convenience to your window treatments.

And for homeowners considering motorized shades this fall, KL Interiors LLC is offering a limited-time Somfy promotion.

Save 25% on Select Somfy Motor-Only Surcharges

From September 21 through December 18, 2026, customers can receive 25% off the motor-only surcharge for eligible:

• Zigbee Sonesse 28 WireFree
• Zigbee Ultra 30 WireFree

motor options when paired with qualifying shades.

The promotion applies to:

• Allure® Transitional Shades
• Genesis® Custom Shades
• Interior Masterpieces® Fabric Shades
• Intrigue® Custom Shades
• Manh Truc® Woven Wood Shades
• Tenera® Sheer Shadings

This is particularly interesting for homeowners who are already considering the kinds of textured, layered and natural-looking window treatments that work so beautifully in fall interiors.

The important distinction is that the promotion is 25% off the eligible Somfy motor-only surcharge, not 25% off the entire window treatment.

Whether you’re updating one room, finishing a new space or finally addressing those difficult-to-reach windows, KL Interiors can help you explore the options and determine which style, fabric, operating system and level of customization make sense for your home.

Ready to give your home a fall refresh?

Kim Luikert of KL Interiors, LLC provides custom window treatment design, measuring and professional installation throughout New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

Call 551-265-4245 or email info@KLinteriorsllc.com to schedule an in-home consultation.