As summer turns into fall, the mood of your home should shift with the season. Fall interiors typically focus on warmth, depth, and comfort; one of the best ways to infuse that “fall feeling” is through texture. At Laura U Design Collective, we often layer materials to enhance the coziness this season calls for; we mix smooth with textured, matte with lustrous, soft with structured. The right combination makes a room feel far more intentional and inviting, which is exactly what we all want as temperatures dip.

This autumn, we’re highlighting the materials that instantly transform a space and ground it in the current season: velvet, suede, tweed, boucle, leather, and fur. Each has its own character, but together, they make interiors feel organic and of-the-moment without any of the kitschiness that often comes from seasonal decorating.

Six Autumnal Textures That Make Any Home Feel Appropriately Seasonal

Velvet

Velvet is autumn’s quintessential textile; it’s rich, light-catching, and irresistibly soft. We’ve used it at Green Tree, University Place, Garnet Residence, and many other LUDC projects. Equally at home in modern spaces like Green Tree, contemporary spaces like Braeswood, and transitional interiors like Garnet, we adore this textile. As for colorways, jewel tones like emerald, garnet, and sapphire shine in velvet because the pile absorbs and reflects light in a way flat fabrics can’t.

The key to using velvet well is balance. Pair a velvet sofa with a rustic wood coffee table or contrast velvet accent chairs against a sleek stone fireplace. The softness and sheen elevate a room, but when grounded with natural materials, velvet feels welcoming rather than overly formal.

For example, at Garnet Residence, we designed a dramatic rondel-style banquette in a deep midnight shade. In the foyer at University Place, a pair of amethyst stools tucked beneath a round entry table polishes the graphic, minimalist space without overwhelming its palette. The scale is modest, but the material is impactful.

How to Use Velvet This Season

Choose velvet in jewel tones (emerald, sapphire, amethyst) or in autumnal shades like rust, wine, and rose. For example, at Braeswood Place, a rust velvet chair proves that earth tones in this fabric feel especially right for autumn. Layer it against matte woods or smooth plaster walls for contrast. If you’re hesitant, start small with stools, ottomans, or accent chairs. And don’t forget maintenance; velvet is durable when cared for properly, but it does benefit from special cleaning methods. We cover that in our velvet care guide.

Suede

Suede has all the richness of leather but with a softer, more relaxed feel that works in both formal and casual interiors. Unlike polished leather, which reflects light, suede absorbs it, which gives the surface a matte, grounded quality that feels calming and tactile. In family spaces, we encourage clients to review our suede care guide before committing because suede, while luxurious, rewards care and attention.

Because suede is subtle, it works best in larger applications where its texture can really be felt, both by the hand and by the body. As such, sofas, sectionals, or even a generously scaled lounge chair are ideal applications.

How to Use Suede This Season

Suede feels especially right in autumn because of its earthy palette. Shades of camel, mushroom, and chocolate echo the season and ground the space without overwhelming it. In a living room, suede works beautifully on larger pieces (a sectional, like the one at Pebble Beach, or even a pair of lounge chairs) because the matte texture softens the entire composition.

The key here is contrast. Pair suede with polished surfaces like marble or glass so the room doesn’t feel too relaxed. A suede sofa layered with a wool throw or set against a crisp plaster wall immediately feels much more intentional. The material does require care, but if you’re willing to maintain it, suede is well worth the effort.

Tweed

Tweed has a tailored quality that feels both classic and seasonal. It’s textured, structured, and often woven with subtle shifts of color that add depth without overwhelming the eye. Tweed isn’t flashy, but that’s why we love it so much. It feels quiet, confident, and substantial, all of which are qualities that ground a space, particularly in autumn. While velvet is plush and reflective, tweed is firm and matte, which makes the two excellent companions when layered together.

How to Use Tweed This Season

Tweed is best used in upholstery, especially on pieces that get daily use; think armchairs, benches, or even dining seats. Its durability makes it a smart choice for high-traffic rooms, while its patterning hides the wear of family life.

For fall, we recommend leaning into deep grays, moss greens, or heathered neutrals that echo the season’s palette. Pair tweed with softer materials like bouclé or velvet to keep the look from feeling too stiff. In the right mix, tweed adds structure, texture, and a tailoring to any interior.

Bouclé or Shag

Bouclé is one of few fabrics that absolutely embodies coziness. Its nubby, looped surface instantly infuses any interior with warmth and dimension, which is why it’s a natural choice for fall interiors. At our Mountain Lane Show House, we used a similar texture in the girls’ playroom, where we upholstered generous modular seating that makes you want to curl up and never leave! The soft, tactile finish turns a casual lounge into a space that feels surprisingly polished yet still approachable, whether that’s a playroom for children or a study for adults.

Because bouclé has a lot of texture, it works best on pieces with simple, clean lines. A curved sofa, a cube ottoman, or even an accent chair covered in bouclé feels fresh without veering into overly trendy. If you can, seek contrast. Pair it with smooth leather, sleek stone, or polished wood to highlight the depth of the weave.

How to Use Bouclé and Similar Textures This Season

For autumn, bouclé works especially well in creamy neutrals, mushroom grays, or warm taupes; we recommend these colors because they emphasize the fabric’s tactile quality while remaining versatile year-round. If you’re hesitant to commit to a full sofa, try bouclé in smaller pieces like accent chairs, poufs, or even throw pillows.

Leather

Few materials wear as well as leather. Instead of simply enduring with time, it improves because of it. Scuffs, creases, and subtle tonal shifts are all part of the material’s character; they’re not flaws. For autumn, this evolving quality makes leather particularly special and suitable; it grounds a space in something lasting and substantial, while still feeling inviting and warm. If only Autumn could be that evergreen!

Whether boldly pigmented or all-natural, leather is a constant in our projects here at LUDC. At Braeswood Residence, we used rich, saddle-toned leather on generous seating to anchor a cozy living area and a bold green leather chair to elevate a home bar. In the family lounge, a generously scaled sectional in cognac-hued leather makes the space feel expansive but cozy. The lived-in finish softens the room’s architectural lines and balances darker walls and brass lighting, while still feeling elevated and intentional. In the home bar, a pair of deep green leather chairs play beautifully against the brick, carved wood, and other upholstered furnishings.

How to Use Leather This Season

For autumn, we gravitate toward leather in tones that feel rooted in this season; think caramel, cognac, tobacco, espresso, and hunter green. These shades echo the landscape outside without being too literal. Finishes matter, too. A matte or lightly distressed leather feels much more casual and approachable, so it’s perfect for family rooms or reading nooks, while a polished or semi-aniline finish makes more sense for a library, bar, or formal sitting area.

We love using leather on foundational pieces (e.g., a sectional that anchors the room, a pair of armchairs flanking a fireplace, or a generously scaled ottoman layered with a wool throw). As ever, the key is balance. Pair smooth leather with bouclé or soft wool to further increase its tactile appeal, and contrast its tonal depth with lighter walls or natural wood so the material feels rich rather than heavy.

But because leather is a long-term investment, care matters. With proper attention and the right maintenance approach, it can last for decades. We always recommend clients consult our leather and suede care guide for cleaning tips and conditioning techniques that preserve its natural beauty and prolong its life.

Fur (and Faux Fur)

Fur has always been associated with luxury, but in interiors, its value is less about glamour and more about atmosphere. Whether authentic or high-quality faux, it introduces softness and depth in a way that few other materials can without edging on kitsch. Applied thoughtfully, fur adds a tactile layer that feels appropriate as the weather cools and the days shorten; it’s not dramatic or showy, just quietly indulgent.

At The Astoria, a plush throw in a mix of smoky browns and soft grays finishes the primary bedroom, which is awash in muted jewel tones. The palette is restrained, but the texture shifts the mood of the space by warming the cooler tones and balancing the room’s sleek, modern lines. At Heights Modern, a similar approach softens a deeply romantic bedroom. Draped across the foot of the bed, a fur throw adds another layer to an already layered composition; suddenly, the space is textural, seasonal, and intentional.

How to Use Fur This Season

Fur works best as an accent; think of it as a finishing detail rather than a focal point. A throw folded across the end of a bed, a pillow added to a reading chair, or a small accent on a bench is usually all you need. We gravitate toward tones that echo the season without veering into theme: shades of fawn, sable, cocoa, or ash that layer easily with existing textiles.

As with any rich texture, context and contrast matter. Pair fur with tailored materials like tweed or structured upholstery so it feels deliberate, or let it soften sleeker finishes like lacquered wood or stone. And if you’re concerned about maintenance, ethics, or sustainability, today’s faux fur has a similar tactile quality with less upkeep.

Design a Warm, Layered Home with LUDC

These cozy autumnal textures remind us that design is just as much about touch as it is about sight. By weaving velvet, suede, tweed, bouclé, leather, and fur into your interiors, you create an atmosphere that is both seasonal and timeless. At Laura U Design Collective, we specialize in crafting layered, livable homes that enhance the lives of our clients rather than competing with their lifestyles.

Whether you’re preparing a Houston home for fall gatherings or cozying up in your Aspen retreat, our team can help you design spaces that balance beauty and comfort.