A Stylist’s 5-Minute Hack for Fall Vibes Is Perfect in Living Rooms

Fall is well underway — leaves are falling, temps are cooling, and many are looking for ways to signal the new season inside their homes, too. Nailing the fall aesthetic can seem tricky, as the tendency is to overdo it on cheeky (maybe a bit kitschy!) Halloween decor and various HomeGoods steals.

But interior designers and professional stylists have a magic touch when it comes to creating cozy fall vibes. After all, they’re trained to curate and cultivate layers of design prowess to create cozy rooms that don’t feel cluttered. In living rooms, guests take cues from accessories displayed in bookshelves or strewn across coffee tables, or even the art on the walls. But pros know they can’t change all of these elements at once.

Sometimes, stylists and designers are charged with making over a space and use elements like color to signal cozy vibes — but there’s a low-lift touch that many design pros turn to when time isn’t a luxury they have.

Cozy living room with teal walls, modern furniture, a TV, and decorative shelves. Features a rug, plants, and colorful cushions. — Credit: Photo: Steph Everett Photography; Design: Urban Staging

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The Cozy Upholstery Hack Design Pros Swear By

Upgrading your space to achieve a cozy look doesn’t always have to be a huge undertaking. In fact, it may be as simple as rethinking the pillows and throw blankets currently on display.

Many people have the right instinct that adding more pillows to a sofa or atop stylish accent seats can amp up a cozy factor. But Amanda Wiss, founder of New York-based Urban Staging, says the throw’s fabric itself can dramatically influence the look of the entire living room — even if you don’t make any other changes.

“These are small decor items that transform a home from a furniture showroom into a personal expression,” Wiss shares. “As fall approaches, think about changing out lighter-colored linen quilts, throws, and pillows for richly colored velvets.”

Cozy living room with a white sofa adorned with colorful pillows and a throw, a wooden lamp, and a coffee table with books. — Credit: Photo: Steph Everett Photography; Design: Urban Staging

Velvet achieves a cozy look due to its dense pile and light-catching sheen, creating a visually rich finish for pillows and other throws in your living room. You can take it further than just throw pillow covers, too; designers often use velvet in other accent touches to dial up coziness, as it is equally lovely on lampshades.

If you’re looking to add quality velvet pillow throws to your linen closet, look no further than your favorite home retailer — burgundy options are trending hard this fall, and you’ll find plenty of options to choose from. We’re rounding up some of our favorite finds below (including sale options!). Happy (pillow) stuffing!

AT Velvet Pillow Roundup September 2025

Classic Cotton Velvet Pillow Cover

Classic Cotton Velvet Pillow Cover

Quince

$30

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Classic Cotton Velvet Pillow Cover

Classic Cotton Velvet Pillow Cover

West Elm

$49

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Everywhere Velvet Pillow Cover

Everywhere Velvet Pillow Cover

Pottery Barn

$50

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Vinette Brown Merino Wool and Velvet Throw Pillow with Down-Alternative Insert

Vinette Brown Merino Wool and Velvet Throw Pillow with Down-Alternative Insert

CB2

$189

Buy Now