This Home Decor Trend For Fall 2025 Is Grandma-Approved

Fall has officially arrived. And while it hasn’t quite hit sweater weather here in the South, changing up your home decor from light and summery to warm, patterned, and nostalgic is something we can get behind. The latest autumnal trend, vintage prep, is all about embracing softened classics like plaid, brass, heirloom finds, vintage linens, and botanical prints. Put away the pastels (or reinvent them) and embrace this seasonal lean with a classic sensibility.

“Vintage prep is bringing interior design back to its traditional roots,” notes Georgia designer Esther Ellard. Layered and grounded is the goal with hues like dusty rose, sage, and light cornflower that shine on well-loved silhouettes. Wondering how to incorporate it? Read on.

A New Take on Cottagecore

“We’ve seen plaid, brass, and botanicals showing up in cottagecore and transitional spaces for a while now,” says Ellard. But vintage prep brings a revived twist with items like rich tartan throws, cranberry and ochre pillows, and candlesticks with tapered candles.

For Charleston designer Cortney Bishop, vintage prep comes from the fact that “people are craving comfort and character again,” she says. “After so much minimalism, it feels good to live with pieces that tell a story—patina, a little imperfection, or a memory attached.” It is less about chasing something new and more about the familiar, soulful, and collected.

Vintage prep is the South’s way of reclaiming its heritage with ease, says Dallas designer Phillip Thomas Vanderford of Studio Thomas James. “The mood this fall is softer…it’s prep without pretense, collegiate yet romantic.”

How To Style It at Home

Add Little Touches with Layering

Like with any design changes, the key is to start small. Swap in vintage textiles, plaid pillows, monogrammed linens, or botanical tea towels—little touches that make a home feel collected and personal.

“Layering is key. A vintage rug underfoot, botanical art on the walls, and a stack of well-loved books on a side table make the space feel lived-in and authentic,” says North Carolina designer Michelle Murphy of Demi Ryan.

“The most approachable way to embrace vintage prep is through layering accents,” says Liz Livingston of Page House Studio. “A botanical pillow styled with a sculptural stool or pedestal brings a quiet freshness that balances richer seasonal tones. It is a reminder that pastels do not have to feel spring-only. They can carry a room gracefully through fall and beyond.”

Mix and Match

Florida designer Joe Human adds: “For the average homeowner trying to incorporate this into their home, it can really start anywhere. Do not be afraid to mix that midcentury coffee table with a leather rolled-arm sofa and vintage books. Keep those wood tones and textures balanced with different layers of fabric types and patterns. If it is a living room space they are starting on, bring in a comfortable throw that can be changed through the seasons.”

“It is easy to make your own by layering heirlooms with fresh pieces, mixing plaids and florals, soft pastels, and warm wood finishes that instantly feel both timeless and personal,” notes Elizabeth Jent, senior director of merchandising at Ashley.

Quick and Easy Seasonal Styling

Florals and Table Settings

To truly make vintage prep epitomize the season, Murphy suggests filling “vintage vessels with seasonal cuttings, like brass urns with magnolia branches or simple glass vases with dried hydrangeas.”

Tablescapes are also a perfect spot to incorporate vintage prep. “Think patterned china with linen napkins, silver flatware, or even mismatched candlesticks for a look that feels elegant yet approachable,” she adds.

Affordable Accent Pieces

For Gina Proctor, owner of Tallahassee’s Bedfellows, botanical prints in autumnal tones like “soft mossy greens, warm golds, and cranberry plaids layered across throws, blankets, and pillows” are a must. Pair those with heirloom silver or a few worn leather-bound books on a coffee table and you have instantly created a space with this trend.

Designer Gray Benko sums it up: “The best homes do not just look good, they tell you a story the second you walk through the door. We can attest that a touch of plaid never hurt anyone. Together, we lean into vintage prep because it is colorful, layered, and you can feel like you are in a beautiful English home. Who would not want that?”

Designers’ Favorite Vintage Prep Pieces

Finding a few grounding pieces can change the entire feel of a room. “Rugs are always my anchor. They ground the space and set the tone,” remarks Bishop. She is drawn to vintage or hand-loomed pieces with organic patterns and earthy palettes.

For Atlanta designer Jessica Davis, sourcing authentic vintage is the key to incorporating vintage prep for the earth-conscious homeowner. “Vintage cotton quilts are a great piece to search for at thrift stores and antique malls, and when laundered, are the perfect layering piece—microplastic-free, natural, and durable,” she adds.