With autumn just around the corner, home décor is getting a little weirder and a whole lot more fun. While the usual suspects, like burnt orange throws and pumpkin-scented candles, will always have their place, this year’s trends are tapping into niche aesthetics that go beyond cosy cliches.
Of course, these trends aren’t for everyone, but they’re perfect for anyone ready to lean into the character, charm, and occasional chaos of autumn.
What Is the Quirky Side of Autumn Décor?
Goblincore: Nature’s Messy Magic
If cottagecore is all about the romance of the countryside, goblincore is its wilder and muddier cousin. Think moss-covered stones, earthy tones, scavenged trinkets, and a love for all things imperfect and unpolished.
It’s rooted in celebrating nature’s overlooked details, rather than the manicured garden roses of other trends.
Embrace earthy colour palettes of moss green, deep brown, rust red, and muted gold to set the tone. With natural textures like unfinished wood furniture, wool throws, stone planters, and rough linen, which all work beautifully in this aesthetic.
Display collections of pinecones, shells, dried leaves, or quirky antique trinkets. This style thrives on imperfection, so if you’re fed up with overly polished interiors, this look is liberating.
Applecore: The Crisp New Arrival
While it might sound like the snack left over from lunch, in the design world, applecore is a fresh and juicy take on seasonal styling.
Born from the farm-to-table aesthetic, it celebrates everything orchard-inspired, from apple-red accents to fruit motifs and natural wood finishes. It’s charming, cheerful, and wholesome as it brims with nostalgia.
Think apple red paired with sage or mint tones and fruit-themed prints on cushions, tea towels, and even wall art.
Orchard harvest décor like wooden crates, ceramic jugs, and gingham tablecloths. Light oak flooring can also create a warm base for the bright colours, grounding your home.
Applecore is also great for kitchens or entryways, where the aim is to create a warm welcome!
Mushroomcore: Fashionable Fungi
Popping up in all kinds of aesthetics, mushroomcore is a trend that taps into nostalgia and nature-inspired fun. While it pairs perfectly with goblincore, it also works in lighter, Scandi-influenced spaces, when done carefully and sparingly. It also celebrates whimsy with a soft and playful vibe!
The easiest way to incorporate mushroomcore into your home is through mushroom-shaped lamps, stools, and other décor. Soft furnishings with toadstools and prints with terracotta pots and earthy ceramics.
Using a neutral or mossy-green backdrop is great for making the mushroom accents pop, too! If you’re worried about overwhelming your space, a warm herringbone parquet floor is a great way to ground it.
Why These Trends Work for Autumn?
Autumn naturally lends itself to rich, layered interiors as the long days of summer fade into shorter evenings and a desire to hunker down in snug, warm spaces. These trends then lean into this idea of slowing down in surroundings filled with grounding textures and colours.
There’s also a psychological pull as the days get darker, with people craving cosiness, comfort, and familiarity. These trends are tactile and nostalgic as they encourage softer lighting, natural textures, and a return to simple pleasures.
Unlike minimalist interiors that can sometimes feel cold in autumn, these trends embrace abundance, imperfection, and storytelling.
Is It Worth It?
Choosing to embrace a more quirky aesthetic this autumn is definitely worth it! Whether it’s the forest-floor cosiness of Goblincore, the playful magic of Mushroomcore, or the orchard-inspired charm of Applecore, these styles prove that seasonal décor doesn’t have to be cliché or predictable.
The key is to embrace what makes your home feel warm and lived-in, not what looks trendy on a shop shelf or what the latest online obsession is.
The beauty of going quirky in the home is that it doesn’t have to mean a full-on renovation. Small touches can completely shift the mood of a space without being permanent.
For those who love to refresh their décor with the seasons, these trends are a low-risk, high-impact way to bring the outside in.
That said, it’s best to keep long-term investments neutral and versatile. Flooring, for example, sets the foundation for an interior style, so choosing something timeless like engineered wood ensures that your home still feels cohesive when the quirky accessories get swapped out. This way, you can indulge in trends without locking yourself into them.