Fall hues: Setting the right Autumn vibe in your house

Dina Said, Wednesday 22 Oct 2025

As autumn arrives, the outside world begins to take on warm, calm colours. Designers Sherif Kamal and Marwa Salem spoke to Ahram Online about how to bring these vibes into our homes.

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International designers often describe autumn in terms of leaves changing from green to orange, terracotta, and burgundy. They usually use grey as a background, reflecting the clouds in the sky.

Their idea follows a popular saying: “Enjoy grey to enjoy autumn.” Kamal explains that grey is truly an autumn colour and people should not be afraid to use it in their homes.

One of the first designers to use grey widely was Christian Dior. He asked that his home on the Champs-Élysées in Paris be turned into a showroom using only 56 shades of grey. He wanted to tell the world that grey would always stay with us—and that it can welcome all other colours of life beside it.

Dior did not stop with interiors. His early fashion designs also followed this idea, featuring dresses in many shades of grey, from light silver to dark charcoal.
Grey was once used only in school and work uniforms, but Dior helped it gain popularity.

Designers began replacing many other colours with grey. People started choosing different shades based on their taste and how confident they were in using this beautiful colour.

Kamal adds that with the spread of modern and contemporary styles, younger people started to love grey. It felt new and different from the classic styles they saw in their parents’ homes. Grey began to appear in restaurants, shops, and art galleries. A new idea called the “grey concept” became popular.

It means using grey in the main parts of the home—like walls, furniture, and floors—along with one intense colour or a group of bold colours. This makes the home feel more elegant and rich.

Salem says that using colours from nature is a great way to feel the autumn mood. Earthy tones like clay brown, olive green, and creamy beige make a space feel warm and stable.

They also work well with wooden furniture.

On top of that, colours that resemble gemstones—such as emerald and burgundy—can add a sense of luxury. These can be added through small home accessories placed on tables, shelves, or near fireplaces.

Natural and eco-friendly accessories like ceramic vases, dried branches, and small pumpkins help bring the season indoors. They also add a simple and authentic touch. Using warm metals like bronze and copper in home accessories adds a sense of elegance in a soft and balanced way.

When it comes to materials, you can replace summer cushions and blankets with thicker ones in warm autumn colours. Soft, rich fabrics like velvet, wool, cashmere, and natural leather are great choices for adding comfort and texture.

Kamal also says that orange tree leaves are one of the strongest signs of autumn. You can find them in many shapes and uses—like in vases, printed on cushions or throws on sofas, or even as art on the walls.

He suggests replacing your usual wall art with these autumn-themed pieces, either as one large painting or a group of small frames hung in a special corner.

Tablecloths and runners can also help share the autumn mood, especially when they come in orange, brown, or burgundy, or feature leaf patterns. In bedrooms, adding a throw, bed cover, or pillows in these tones will give the same cozy feeling, Kamal explains.

Lighting is also essential, Salem says. Lamps and light fixtures made of warm metals like bronze or copper, paired with soft yellow light, can create a welcoming, calm atmosphere.

For furniture, she recommends adding a bold piece, such as a burgundy chair or a wooden table with an artistic design, to serve as the room's main attraction.

Finally, Kamal says that small details are what complete the autumn feel. Scented candles with smells like cinnamon, vanilla, or sandalwood bring warm, seasonal energy. Using mirrors with curved, soft edges also adds to the feeling of comfort, unlike sharp corners, which can seem cold or harsh.

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