While autumn has been in full swing for almost two months, the month of November always embodies the coziness that I adore about this season – the calm before the storm of Christmas and have-tos and excess.

With autumn you can wander, relax, unwind and feel a bit more at ease for choosing to stay inside with delightful book as the temperatures have dropped enough where staying inside offers refuge, warmth and tranquility.

Whether you will be hosting Thanksgiving in the next few weeks or not, adding a touch of autumn to your decor is a simple way to celebrate the harvest that spring and summer have offered and savor this most restful season.

Here are a few ideas to consider when adding a touch of autumn to your sanctuary:

1. Accessorize the Details

Whether you add touch of bay leaves and feathers to the chandeliers, or pumpkins and gourds to the mantle or buffet, consider these small touches to add warmth and a sign of the season.

2. Fill a Lantern

My mother actually inspired this idea as she has used oversized lanterns for both fall and Christmas decor. Place inside items that symbolize the fall season such as small gourds and pumps and place either on your front porch, in your foyer or by the fireplace for a touch of fall. Click here to shop black decorative lanterns.

3. Keep it Simple

Don’t break your budget decorating for a season that will be over in less than a month. Choose a rustic linen table runner and place multiples of one fall item – small pumpkins or uniquely shaped gourds. Simple and easy to remove.

4. Food as Vases

Hollow out a pumpkin or an artichoke and use as centerpieces or on side tables around your home. Arrange hydrangeas inside (my favorite) or a combination of other fall foliage.

5. Don’t Forget the Porch

One of my regular fall decorations is to go hunting for pumpkins to place by the door and on the outdoor table. Mums are also the fall flower of choice, so scoop up one or two and place on your stoop to welcome guests and yourself after a day at work.

6. Branches & Leaves

The colors of fall are stunning, and since they will be falling to the ground far too soon, trim a few branches that will need to be tended to in the spring and bring them inside to add a touch of fall. Be sure to trim the stem immediately before placing in lukewarm water and shave about 1-5 inches of bark off at the bottom in order for it to be able to absorb water.

7. Wheat and Pumpkins

I absolutely love this simple, yet elegant fall mantle. There is no doubt which season it is when pumpkins are displayed.

More than anything fall is about finding a warm, wool blanket, lighting a fire, pouring a hot cup of cider, hot chocolate or luscious red wine and unwinding. After all, December will require our full attention and energy, so why not savor all that November has to offer especially since Thanksgiving falls so wonderfully late in the month this year (November 28th).