A Cranberry Twist: My Fall Home Decor with Vintage Charm

Written ByLynn

I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I’m definitely going through a seven-year design itch. My style has evolved many times over the years. This summer, I introduced bright yellow into my typical blue and white décor.

Now for fall, I’ve found myself wanting something richer to add warmth and charm to my home. I have claimed that I don’t like red or use red. That being said, I’m going a touch dramatic – deep and historic – by adding cranberry to my fall décor. It’s my way of transitioning my space into a cozy haven for fall. It also might be a hint of what’s coming for Christmas 🤫

A white square coffee table with a glass top sits on a patterned rug, holding dried flowers, a bowl, and books. Behind it are white sofas with pink and beige pillows in a sunlit living room with large windows.

On my blog Living Large in A Small House, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. You can find my full Disclosure Policy HERE

Welcoming Fall with a New Hue

As we head into fall, I typically would embrace the season with some warmer beiges, darker blues and even maybe brown. However, this year I’m switching things up by adding an unexpected (for me) pop of color like I did this spring-summer.

A cozy living room with a white couch decorated with red and plaid pillows, a wooden coffee table, and built-in shelves holding books, plants, and decor. Sunlight streams in near a fireplace and a window with red-patterned curtains.

Adding Cranberry through Textiles

One of my #1 design tips is that changing things seasonally is easy and cost-effective if you do it with textiles.

  • Cranberry Pillow Covers and Throws: I started to introduce the color into my décor with some new pillow covers. I also added some depth to the room by combining a cranberry/cream/green plaid with some woven darker beige pillows that really warmed up the space.
  • Drapes to Anchor the Room: I replaced my blue floral curtains with a cranberry and off-white toilé print drape. I absolutely love the warmth they bring.

I obviously am not the only one who is being drawn to deeper, richer colors. The Sherwin Williams 2026 Color of the Year palette is an amazing array of dark and moody colors. The Color of the Year, Universal Khaki – SW6150 is an incredible color for a neutral.

A color swatch labeled "SW 6150 Universal Khaki" displaying a warm, light brown khaki shade.
A palette of eight Sherwin-Williams paint colors, each shown in a rectangular swatch with names and codes, accompanied by a quote about the versatility of a neutral khaki color for home design.

As will all trends, they come full circle. There was a time in the 90s when my walls were a cranberry red. Below is an old grainy picture but proof of my love of burgundy that I honestly never thought I would bring back.

Four kids stand around a table covered in ground meat, making Swedish Potato Sausage by hand. One girl makes a funny face while holding a lump of meat. The room has red walls and a white mantle with the word "BELIEVE" on it.
Making Potato Sausage years ago

Balancing Neutrals with Bold Accents

I’m able to use cranberry as a stunning focal point because I have neutral pieces of furniture in my rooms. I love this approach as it keeps the décor from feeling overwhelming. It also balances the space with light grounding pieces. Essential, in my opinion, for making a small space feel larger.

A white ceramic chicken, two stacked distressed white boxes, a white vase with dried leaves and purple buds, gold candlesticks, and a striped towel are arranged on a cream-colored dresser against a gray wall.

Vintage Collections to Added Charm

  • Antique Books: I love to incorporate my vintage and antiques into my décor and old books with cranberry, browns, and rich beiges look so nice on my shelves.
  • Vintage Transferware: A set of red and white transferware dishes that I’ve had stored away got pulled out and displayed on my shelves for that curated look that feels both collected and cozy. This beautiful transferware has inspired me to keep my eye out for more pieces when I’m vintage shopping. Funny that I question how I get all of these collections! 🙂
A bright, modern kitchen with white cabinets, black countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a farmhouse sink. Sunlight streams in through a glass door at the far end. A large play button overlays the image.
See My Full Fall Home Tour by clicking on the picture above

Fall Home Decor

The Antique Persian Rug Moment

Moving my antique Persian rug from the primary bedroom to the great room was a game changer. The rug features deep jewel tones that beautifully complement the cranberry accents throughout the room.

  • How the Rug Pulls Everything Together: My rug, with its deep burgundy, navy, and green tones, pulled the room together as I had to work with my blue walls. The rug anchors the room and evokes a sense of warmth and comfort that’s perfect as the days are getting cooler.
A lit candle in a glass jar sits on a red book atop a small, weathered white stool next to an ornate, red patterned rug on a wooden floor.

Subtle Hints of the Holidays to Come

Without giving too much away, I’ve also begun to weave in subtle hints of the upcoming holiday season. By choosing decor that can transition seamlessly from fall to Christmas, I’m setting the stage for a festive atmosphere that feels cohesive and thoughtfully curated.

  • Transition-Friendly Decor: Items like cranberry accents and vintage pieces can easily shift from autumn to winter, ensuring my home remains inviting through the winter months
A clear glass bottle with dried hydrangea flowers sits atop a stack of vintage red books on a white shelf, with more old books standing upright beside them.

Tips for Using a New Color in Fall Decor

  • Start Small with Textiles: If you’re hesitant about introducing a new color, begin with smaller items like pillow covers or throws. They’re easy to swap out and can have a big impact.
  • Shop Your Home for Vintage Finds: Look around your home for items that can incorporate your chosen color. Vintage finds often add character and interest to your decor. I pulled pieces from every room in my home.
  • Let One Piece Be Your Anchor: Choose one standout piece, like a rug or a statement art piece, to anchor your color scheme. This can help guide your decor choices and create a cohesive look.
A watercolor illustration of a blue watering can filled with pink and blue flowers and green leaves, perfect for adding a touch of "Living Large in A Small House" charm, set against a transparent background.

Become a Friend of Living Large

And be the first to see affordable decorating ideas, easy recipes, gardening tips and tricks, along with great organizing and entertaining ideas.

Final Thoughts

As the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop, I encourage you to embrace the unexpected. Trying out a new hue, like cranberry, can completely transform your space and elevate your seasonal décor. If cranberry isn’t your thing, what about a warm mustard color or a steel blue. Remember, cozy doesn’t mean cluttered (although some might disagree with me). I like to call it curated!

Let me know how you like to incorporate color into your fall décor!

Peace and Love,

See Last Years Fall Tour HERE

A great way to save this idea is to add it to one of your Pinterest boards. You can find the pin button on the top left of the photo when you click on it. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest

A white coffee table with stacked books and a vase of dried flowers sits on a dark, patterned rug in a cozy, sunlit living room with large windows and floral curtains. Text overlay reads, "Cranberry Fall Decor in a Cozy Small Home.

Featured

  • Logo for "the spruce" featuring a simple outline of a house in light blue with an open door and neutral Halloween decor elements, followed by the text "the spruce" in a stylized gray font.
  • Black and white logo featuring large "ORC" letters above "ONE ROOM CHALLENGE," capturing the bold spirit of the One Room Challenge event.
  • Black text logo reads "Taste of Home" in a serif font on a white background, evoking the warmth of a Farmhouse cottage.
  • A minimalist green line drawing forms the outline of a house, with the words "re design" in bold black text inside the shape—perfect inspiration for your next Saturday Shopping adventure.
  • The image displays the words "BOLD JOURNEY" in large capital letters—"BOLD" in a bold, dark red font and "JOURNEY" in a smaller black font on a white background—capturing the excitement of a Saturday Shopping adventure.
  • The image features the word "WANDER" in large, bold letters, evoking a sense of recollection. Below it, in smaller text, are the phrases: "LIVE WELL | EAT WELL | TRAVEL WELL." The entire text is set against a plain, light background.
  • Hometalk logo featuring a blue house icon to the left of the word "Hometalk" in black, rounded font—perfect inspiration for sharing cozy recipes like Potato Broccoli and Leek Soup.
  • The word "SIMPLIFY" is written in all uppercase letters, with the letter "I" and "L" replaced by the number "1," on a teal rectangular background—perfect inspiration for anyone looking to make a faux topiary and keep things straightforward.
  • Orange logo with a house-shaped icon containing a white fork and spoon, followed by the word "Foodtalk" in bold orange text—your go-to source for tips like how to use Javy Coffee for Spring Coffee Drinks.
  • Boutique Rugs logo featuring a red geometric pattern beside the words "BoutiqueRugs" in bold black and gray text on a white background, perfect for pairing with stylish Peel and Stick Wallpaper in your home decor.
  • Logo with two interlocking heart outlines on the left, followed by the text "LOVE vs DESIGN" in a modern, clean font—perfect for a brand specializing in stylish Peel and Stick Wallpaper.
  • The image shows the text "CANVASREBEL" in a clean, dark blue sans-serif font on a white background, evoking the spirit of Living Large in A Small House with its minimalist yet bold design.
  • Colonial Candle logo featuring a circular emblem with overlapping "C" letters above the brand name "COLONIAL CANDLE" in uppercase serif font—perfect inspiration for cozy moments, like learning how to use Javy Coffee for Spring Coffee Drinks.

Behind the scenes

Hi, I’m Lynn

I traded corporate life for cozy living and now share how to make small spaces feel beautifully intentional.

With a love of vintage finds, organized chaos (emphasis on organized), and a handy husband who builds my wild ideas, I’m here to show that living large isn’t about square feet—it’s about heart, style, and good bones.

More about me
An older woman in a summer capsule wardrobe—white shirt, blue overalls, and gardening gloves—stands on grass, digging with a shovel among lush green plants and pink flowers. Trees and a white trellis frame the vibrant outdoor scene.

Web Story

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

4 Comments

  1. Donna @ Modern on Monticello says:

    Hey Lynn! Your post definitely resonated with me. After four years of stopping and starting, we are finally renovating my daughter’s old bedroom, and I have realized that my design plan, which has been stuck in my head for years, is not what I want anymore. Even my husband has chimed in on a new direction for the room. I’m glad you listened to that inner voice because your home’s cranberry colors look stunning. Your post will be a feature this week to encourage others to stretch their design muscles. #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
  2. Cindy@CountyRoad407 says:

    Glad you told us what the kids were doing in the photo! I would have never guessed! Love your fall colors. Your home looks perfectly fall and those curtains are aaahhhmazing! Thank you for sharing it with us on Farmhouse Friday. I’m featuring it this week, and I hope you link up again soon. pinned

    Reply