It’s officially fall, bringing in crisper temperatures, longer nights, and the unmistakable feeling of autumn in the air. This cozier season is a welcome respite from the hot, sticky summer months, especially with all of the comforting possibilities the season can bring. It’s no wonder that fall is the most popular season in the United States, with many celebrating its arrival and romanticizing its falling leaves and bright colors. So, how can you make the most of this season that everyone seems to adore? From comfort foods to cozy routines, here are 12 ways in which you can embrace the fall spirit. 

1. Decorate your space

Fall leaf garlands, fairy lights, new bedsheets, wall collages, curtains, decorative pillows, rugs—there are many ways to introduce fall into your home, many of which can be DIY or purchased for cheap. Even if you don’t have the time or money to spend, refreshing your home with a deep fall cleaning will help to bring in that crisp, welcoming aura reminiscent of fall. Oh, and don’t forget to open your windows when the air gets cooler outside, letting in those therapeutic noises of leaves rustling in autumn’s brisk, chilly breeze. 

2. Transition to fall-themed scents

Many scents evoke the feeling of fall: vanilla, pumpkin spice, chai, coffee, cinnamon, fireside, marshmallow, butterscotch—the list can go on! Explore these scents in candles, soaps, and even cleaning products, and find which is a good match for you! If you want a more natural aroma, consider recipes for fall simmer pots, which provide an organic, autumnal scent throughout your home.

3. Prepare your closet for colder temperatures

When the seasons change, it’s nice to go through your closet and donate any clothes you haven’t touched in a while. This leaves you more space to introduce new items in your closet, whether that be coats, sweaters, mittens, leggings, cozy socks, or anything that screams fall. Also, introducing new makeup combinations, nail colors, or perfumes/colognes is another great way to bring that feeling of fall. To minimize overconsumption, consider thrifting, making, or even repurposing older clothes! 

4. Pick up a fall-related hobby

Knitting, sewing, crocheting, baking, foraging, or doing puzzles, diamond paintings, or journals of fall leaves are some great solo ideas or projects to do with the shifting of seasons. While some of these may have a learning curve, consider it as part of the process and explore online sources for beginners (YouTube will be your best friend!). 

You can also include friends or family with your fall hobbies, whether that's DIY projects or cozy board game sessions. Dungeons and Dragons campaigns are another popular choice, and can leave you and your squad entertained for the whole of the season, if not longer!

5. Create a schedule of spooky or autumn-themed movies/shows to watch (or rewatch)!

Whether you want something cozy or something a bit on the darker side, there’s no shortage of shows and movies that’ll place you right in the sensation of autumn. Here’s a list of recommendations to get you started: 

For those cozy, autumn vibes: 

• “Dead Poets Society” (1989) – a coming-of-age drama set in New England during the fall.

• “Hocus Pocus” (1993) – a witchy, comedy staple for Halloween.

• “Practical Magic” (1998) –  a cozy, magical film of sisterhood and curses, where sisters try to resurrect a dead boyfriend.

• “Gilmore Girls” (2000) – full of Y2K autumn fashion and charm, this show takes place during a New England fall and encompasses family and friendship.

• “Twitches” (2005) – a family-friendly, cozy film with early-2000s nostalgia, where two twin witches discover their powers together.

• “Fantastic Mr. Fox” (2009) – a quirky, stop-motion film full of whimsy, crafty foxes, and woodland creatures. 

• “Anne with an E” (2017) – a show with changing seasons, but one of emotion and romanticization in a rural, Canadian landscape. 

• “Hilda” (2018) – an animated show of a magical world full of folklore, accompanied by a cozy color palette that just screams autumn. 

For something dark and moody: 

• “Twin Peaks” (1990) – packed to the brim with surrealism and set in the moody Pacific Northwest (PNW), this show is the epitome of mystery and suspense. 

• “Twilight” (2008) – a moody vampire romance, also set in the PNW.

• “Moonlight” (2016) – an atmospheric, coming-of-age drama that explores themes of racial and sexual identity, trauma, and self-discovery.

• “End of the F**ing World” (2017) – a dark, quirky comedy drama, following two teenagers on a road trip, with one holding plans to murder the other. 

• “I Am Not Okay With This” (2020) – a short, one-season coming-of-age show with moody undertones and a supernatural twist. 

• “Wednesday” (2022) – a modern recreation of the Addams Family, with darker, moody visuals and a quirky plotline.  

For the horror or the thrills: 

• “Coraline” (2009) — a creepy stop-motion fantasy film, where a girl stumbles into a twisted, and perhaps dangerous, version of her own world. 

• “Get Out” (2017) — a must-see horror film, following a young Black man discovering the horrific truths behind his white girlfriend’s family. 

• “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018) — a modern adaptation of the classic gothic tale, this show explores thrilling themes of trauma and tragedy. 

• “Chambers” (2019) — an unsettling horror about a young teenager who begins experiencing eerie changes tied to her heart donor’s mysterious death. 

• “Us” (2019) — A chilling psychological horror about a family trying to survive their murderous doppelgängers, exploring themes of otherness, privilege, and the American dream.

• “The Haunting of Bly Manor” (2020) — An American Gothic intertwining both romance and horror, and from the same creator as “The Haunting of Hill House.”

6. Create a schedule of spooky or autumn-themed books to read (or reread)!

We cannot forget about movies’ predecessors: books! Classic or gothic literature is a great place to begin when looking for darker, spookier reads, but here’s a list of a few different works you can consider, depending on your mood: 

• “Frankenstein” (1818) by Mary Shelley – an early work of the female Gothic subgenre, exploring themes of nature vs. nurture and the creation of life. 

• “The Haunting of Hill House” (1959) by Shirley Jackson – a psychological horror novel, often considered the greatest haunted house story ever written. 

• “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” (1962) by Shirley Jackson – a dark, gothic tale of isolation and dangerous family secrets.

• The “Shady Hollow” series (2019) by Melissa Savage – a charming, cozy series of animal detective mysteries. 

• “Mexican Gothic” (2020) by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – a gothic horror novel, where a young woman investigates the letters sent by her cousin, fearing for her life at the hands of her husband. 

• “Ring Shout” (2020) by P. Djeli Clark – a supernatural horror novella with historical southern gothic themes, Clark reimagines the Ku Klux Klan as (literal) monsters. 

• “The Year of the Witching” (2020) by Alexis Henderson – a supernatural, feminist horror novel set in a puritanical society, where a young woman discovers the dark truths hidden behind her town’s religion. 

• “The Pumpkin Spice Cafe” (2021) by Ellie Alexander – often compared to the sensations of an autumnal Hallmark movie, this is a cozy, romantic mystery set in a small town. 

7. Play some fall video games

As the days get colder, it’s the perfect time to cozy up inside with a nice, relaxing video game.  “Night in the Woods,” “Fall of Porcupine,” and “Strange Horticulture” are perfect choices for a short and sweet experience, but for more lengthy gaming sessions, you might consider larger games like “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” “Stardew Valley,” “Little Witch in the Woods,” or even games like “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim” or “Baldur’s Gate 3.”

8. Create a fall playlist

Spice up any of your daily activities with some fall-sounding music! The Neighbourhood, Memo Boy, Arctic Monkeys, The Smashing Pumpkins, Girl in Red, Hozier, Adrianne Lenker, or Mazzy Star are some great artists to begin your fall playlist, and will bring vibes whether you are in the car, getting ready in the morning, taking a walk, cooking, showering, or anywhere! 

9. Bake or cook autumnal recipes

We all need to eat, and lucky for us, there’s plenty of fall-fitting meals to be had! Savory, comforting meals like beef stews or chili are always fan favorites, but you can also take advantage of seasonal ingredients like cinnamon, apples, or pumpkin to create foods like sweet pumpkin bread, candied roasted pecans, roasted pumpkin soup, or cinnamon-baked apples. Regardless, there’s an endless combination of recipes to fill both your stomach and your home with the flavors of fall. 

10. Go outside

There’s only so much opening a window can do. Instead, it’s important to go outside, ground yourself, and soak in the autumn atmosphere by enjoying the crisper temperatures and the lovely reds and oranges of the leaves. In fact, it’s a beautiful time of year to hike local trails, or even to take a drive with nowhere as your destination—enjoying the scenery and giving yourself a moment to slow down. Even if you’re not a big fan of nature, you can always explore local downtowns and their stores of books, knick-knacks, or coffee shops (many of which have outdoor seating!). Or, find a park or another outdoor third-place for you to read or do other fall-related hobbies, fully immersing yourself in the pleasures of fall. 

11. Attend fall or Halloween-themed events

Another way to go outside, but distinct enough to deserve its own section, is to attend a local fall or Halloween event hosted by your town or nearby community (usually posted on their Facebook or other websites). There are also plenty of outside-hosted events, often available around this time, with apple or pumpkin picking being popular choices, where you can bring the fun home by baking desserts or creating jack-o'-lanterns with the fruits you’ve collected! Some regions also host large events like the Renaissance Festival during the fall months—the perfect place to get dressed up and live the historical fantasy life of your dreams!

12. Plan an autumn-inspired trip

While it might be a bit too short-notice for this year, it’s never too early to start planning for the next. Fall is one of the best times to travel, especially to areas that truly embrace the season. On the East Coast, there are the picture-perfect towns of New England, or the colorful, breezy Appalachian mountains; On the West, there’s the moody, aesthetic scenery of the PNW and the stunning views of the national parks. But don’t let the planning stress you out, either, as it can be as small a vacation as you want it to be, such as a simple weekend getaway to allow yourself a seasonal refresh. Additionally, planning ahead gives you the time to save up and have something to look forward to!

From cozy nights in to relaxing adventures outdoors, there’s no wrong way to embrace everything fall has to offer. So grab your favorite sweater, light a cozy candle, and make your perfect fall!