Autumn wishlist: the cosiest items for home and garden

The nights get longer before the heating really kicks in, and that gap between summer and proper winter is where an autumn wishlist earns its keep. Gathering the right textiles, lighting and garden pieces now means your home is ready for the season rather than catching up to it.

Textiles that make a sofa worth staying on

Chunky knit throws in burgundy, burnt orange or deep forest green turn any sofa into a reading nook. Wool and cashmere are worth the extra cost here, since they hold warmth as temperatures drop rather than just looking the part.

Velvet cushions in jewel tones add colour, and faux fur throws bring texture to bedrooms and living rooms. Flannel bedding is the other piece worth adding to a wishlist: brushed cotton sheets make a real difference once the nights turn cold.

Lighting for when it gets dark at 6pm

Warm-toned LED string lights work well beyond Christmas. Draped around a doorframe or wound through autumn foliage, they give off a gentle glow that suits the season.

Salt lamps offer a soft amber light, and flameless candles give the flicker of candlelight without the worry. If you prefer the real thing, autumn-scented candles in cinnamon, vanilla or woodsmoke fill a room with seasonal warmth. Table lamps with warm bulbs and fabric shades round things out, making any room feel more intimate once the sun sets early.

What the garden needs before frost

Hardy mums, ornamental kale and pansies keep colour going once summer flowers have faded. Plant them in pots or planters you can move indoors when frost threatens.

Weather-resistant lanterns and solar lights extend a garden's usable hours into the evening and light up autumn's colours along a path. A fire pit or outdoor heater is worth adding to the list too, since it gives people a reason to stay outside with friends and family even as it gets colder.

The practical side matters just as much: quality gardening gloves for autumn cleanup, a leaf rake with an ergonomic handle, and somewhere to store tender plants once they come indoors. A decent wheelbarrow or garden cart makes the whole job easier.

Décor that doesn't need to look like a pumpkin display

Natural elements do most of the work: a wooden bowl filled with pine cones, branches of colourful leaves in a tall vase, or a wreath made from seasonal foliage on the front door. Ceramic pumpkins and gourds are a longer-lasting alternative to fresh ones.

Copper and brass accents suit autumn's warm palette, and wall art with autumn landscapes or botanical prints brings the season into a room without redecorating it. Pillows with phrases like "Grateful" or "Harvest Blessings" add a bit of personality without going overboard.

Kitchen gear for soup season

Autumn is soup, fresh bread and comfort food that brings people to the table. A slow cooker or Dutch oven makes hearty meals easy, and good soup bowls and mugs for hot drinks turn into daily essentials fast.

A soup tureen is worth having for entertaining, and warming plates keep food at the right temperature once it's on the table. A bread maker fills the house with the smell of fresh baking, thermal carafes keep coffee or tea warm through a long afternoon, and a good serving platter makes any autumn spread look better than it took to prepare.

You can create a wishlist and start collecting these pieces whenever you're ready, whether it's for yourself or to share with people who ask what you'd like this season.