15 Seasonal Design Ideas for Autumn Event Inspiration

Autumn officially starts tomorrow (September 22) and temperatures are disappointingly slipping back down to normal for the time of year.

However, the season brings with it its splendorous colours and the opportunity to add a touch of autumnal cosiness to your events.

Here are 15 seasonally inspired design elements that will have attendees celebrating the new season.

1. Indoor autumn trees

Canada, home to the maple tree, is one of the best places to witness autumn in all its glory. You can recreate the spectacle closer to home (inside your venue) with these autumnal maple trees available for hire from Wow Rentals.

2. Pretty pies

Cooler weather sees the return of two seasonal staples; jumpers and pies – the former being perfect for disguising the work of the latter! Take advantage and treat guests to comforting pie canapés; steak and ale, chicken, or apple and blackberry to make the most of autumn fruits. Serve them up on individual skillets for extra impact.

3. Shadow shows

The low-lying autumn sun casts long shadows. Take inspiration from this and book a shadow show for your event. Evolve, bookable through Sternberg Clarke, is a 10-15 minute show in which acrobats use their bodies to create silhouettes illustrating mankind’s greatest discoveries and inventions.

4. Classy Chesterfields

Chesterfield sofas and chairs are a design classic, but where summer’s events embraced them in flashy fabrics of white, silver, gold and pink, they will now return to more understated tones. Tan, brown and oxblood Chesterfields will add elegance to events this season.

5. Whisky bars

Make guests feel like lairds of the manor with an exclusive whisky bar. Provide a selection of tipples and a knowledgeable bar tender to take them on a ‘spiritual’ journey through the Scottish highlands. Gathering Events took the experience to another level at their whisky bar (pictured below), by offering guests an old-fashioned shoeshine while they supped.

6. Cosy blankets

If any element of your event involves going outside, keep your guests cosy by providing blankets they can borrow to wrap up in. Opt for tartan prints in purples, reds, greens and browns to combine comfort and style.

7. Homespun table decorations

Use items collected from nature and rustic containers, such as these mason jars, to create seasonal table decorations. Acorns, conkers, corn and cloves bring rich colours and visual interest. Meanwhile, add essential oils such as cedarwood, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange to make them smell as autumnal as they look.

8. Falling leaves lighting

Falling leaves, like nature’s confetti, are one of the most delightful aspects of the season. Recreate the aesthetic inside with a multitude of leaf-shaped lights suspended from the ceiling at varying heights, as if gently floating through the air.

9. Tweed

When it comes to fabric, it’s all about tweed this autumn. Join the country set with tweed upholstered wingback armchairs, gorgeous cushions (to dress up that leather Chesterfield) or even tweed bunting.

10. Gourmet toffee apples

Toffee apples have long been associated with October and Halloween, but are only usually seen at Children’s parties. This year, the toffee apple gets an adult makeover, adorned with dark chocolate, nuts and decorative frosting.

11. Doughnut wall

If you can’t get enough of sweet treats, indulge guests with a doughnut wall. Go for a choice of chocolate covered or glazed, or get creative with the varieties – either way, they’ll look like a delicious work of art vertically displayed.

12. Hay bales

Hay bales not only make great summer décor, they’re also perfect for creating that ‘harvest vibe’ in autumn time. Use them for informal seating, rustic side tables or simply for artistic value.

13. Hanging foliage

You can create incredibly impressive natural chandeliers by suspending branches and foliage from the ceiling. Laurel was hung from the ceiling to great effect for an event at New York Public Library (see below picture from BizBash).

14. Artisan coffee station

It’s good to get something warm inside on chilly days, so why not offer guests an extra special coffee break? Set up an artisan coffee station with a selection of exotic beans and a barista to explain what’s what.

15. The colour purple

Purple is the colour of the season. Team it with other jewel colours, like deep red, plum, rusty orange and copper to keep fabrics and florals on-trend.

Conclusion

The mercury may be falling but autumn events look set to sizzle with colour and class!

What autumn trends will you be buying into? Let us know in the comments…