Key Trends from Fall 2013 Runway Collections

I’ve resisted writing about fall decor for weeks—after all, it’s still summer and there’s plenty of lounging left to do. But for anyone who lives and breathes design, the fall collections are already appearing in stores and online, and the fresh colors and patterns are impossible to ignore. If you follow seasonal trends, now is a great time to preview what will shape interiors this autumn.

This roundup highlights standout pieces and emerging directions for fall decor. You may be surprised to find vivid reds, bright teals and jewel tones sharing the spotlight with traditional earth hues. Many of the season’s best items update classic materials—like marble and kilim—while geometric forms and sculptural accents add modern energy. Here are the pieces that caught our eye and ideas for how to use them in your home.

Setting the Stage…

Start with materials and textiles that transform an entire room. Statement wallcoverings and eye-catching rugs set the tone immediately. Faux marble wallpaper is a major moment this season. West Elm’s Strata Marble Tile Wallpaper brings a marbleized look to walls without the weight or cost of stone, and PVC-free production makes it a livable option for interiors that need both beauty and practicality.

Marble tile wallpaper
Marble tile wallpaper

Rugs are another quick way to reinvent a room. The Verona rug from CB2 proves that fall doesn’t have to be all muted tones—this upcycled textile remnant rug celebrates saturated color and artisanal craftsmanship, incorporating a full spectrum of hues into a lively floor covering.

Upcycled fabric remnant rug
Upcycled fabric remnant rug

Texture and color can also pull double duty as focal points: Jonathan Adler’s Teal and Tan Bridget Kilim Rug balances earthy tan with vibrant teal accents, giving any room an instant centerpiece quality.

Teal and tan kilim rug
Teal and tan kilim rug

Small textile updates make a big difference, too. Jonathan Adler reinterprets the chevron with a stair-step William shower curtain printed on sturdy cotton duck and finished with grosgrain ribbon—an example of how pattern and quality fabric elevate everyday items.

Colorful patterned shower curtain
Colorful patterned shower curtain

Fall Furniture

Furniture this season balances dramatic patterning with sculptural form. Marbleized finishes continue to appear in seating, like West Elm’s Scoop-Back Chair—a piece that keeps a neutral palette interesting through swirling golds, grays and browns. Its marble effect is a subtle way to bring luxe texture into a living area.

Chair with marbleized effect
Chair with marbleized effect

Geometry remains a dominant form language across tables and lighting. The Lucida Side Table from Crate & Barrel channels gem-like facets in a bronze finish, offering a sculptural side surface that reads like jewelry for the room. Geometric silhouettes are equally suited to pendant fixtures and small accent tables.

Geometric side table
Geometric side table

Jewel tones continue to influence upholstery and bedding. Z Gallerie’s Max Emerald Mandarin Bed captures the richness of emerald with a bold headboard pattern, while emerald and other gemstone hues appear across seasonal textiles and accents—an indulgent, glamorous trend that pairs well with matte metals and warm woods.

Emerald headboard
Emerald headboard

Finishing Touches for Fall 2013

Accessories and small accents are where personal style really shines. Geometric duvet covers, like Jonathan Adler’s Gio, layer pattern and color in bedding for a bold bedroom update, while pillows in teal and blue-green from CB2 add depth and modern elegance to sofas and chairs.

Geometric duvet cover
Geometric duvet cover

Faux marble continues into textiles with marble print silk pillow covers from West Elm. Their swirling patterns echo natural mineral bands and include multiple colorways to coordinate with existing palettes.

Marble print silk pillow covers
Marble print silk pillow covers

Pendant lighting is a great place to introduce geometry; Crate & Barrel’s Union Pendant presents an architectural cage-like shape that frames light as sculpture. Decorative metal objects also make a strong impression—Pottery Barn’s sculpted metal sphere brings an industrial, hand-welded aesthetic that reads as both art and accent.

Angular pendant lamp
Angular pendant lamp
Sculptural sphere
Sculptural sphere

Clock faces and tabletop pieces offer playful pops of color—CB2’s Geo Mod Clock uses concentric circles and a bold pair of red-orange hands to become instant wall art, while colorful platters and serving pieces define seasonal tablescapes. Jonathan Adler’s retro-inspired table linens and bright placemats keep entertaining lively and contemporary.

Mod clock
Mod clock
Colorful new linens from Jonathan Adler
Colorful new linens from Jonathan Adler

For elevated dining, Pottery Barn’s Library Stemware brings hand-cut square motifs to glassware for a masculine, faceted look. And for the mineral trend in decor, West Elm’s Agate Jewelry Box offers a banded pattern reminiscent of geodes—a small bit of natural luxury for a dresser or bedside table.

Colorful serving pieces for fall
Colorful serving pieces for fall
Square-motif stemware
Square-motif stemware
Agate jewelry box
Agate jewelry box

Are you drawn to vivid colors, jewel tones, or geometric shapes this fall? Whether you prefer bold pops of teal and red-orange, the subtle luxury of marbleized patterns, or the tactile appeal of upcycled textiles, this season offers a range of ways to refresh your space. Pick one focal statement piece—a rug, headboard, or pendant—and build around it with coordinating textiles and small accents for a cohesive, seasonal update.