As the evenings get darker and the temperature drops, there's something lovely about making home feel a little warmer and more inviting.

The hallway is often overlooked when we're decorating, but it's the first space you see when you come home. A few simple changes can make it feel much more welcoming for autumn without completely redecorating.

Here are seven easy ways to make your hallway feel cosier this season.

1. Add warmth with colour

Autumn is the perfect excuse to introduce richer colours into your home.

Deep burgundy, warm rust, chocolate brown, olive green and earthy neutrals can all bring warmth to a hallway. You don't need to repaint the walls, either.

Try introducing colour through a runner, artwork, cushions on a nearby bench or, of course, your doormat.

A patterned doormat is an easy way to add colour to an entrance without making a permanent change.

2. Layer up your textures

Cosiness is as much about texture as it is colour. Natural fibres, wool, wood, woven baskets and soft textiles can all make a hallway feel warmer and more considered.

If your entrance feels a little bare, try adding a textured runner or a small basket for everyday essentials. Even a simple wooden bench with a cushion can make the space feel more welcoming.

The key is to layer a few different textures rather than trying to fill every available surface.

3. Give your lighting a glow-up

Good lighting can completely change the atmosphere of a hallway.

If your entrance currently relies on one bright overhead light, consider adding another source of illumination. A table lamp on a console, a wall light or a warm-toned bulb can make the space feel much softer.

For autumn evenings, warm lighting works particularly well with richer colours and natural textures.

And don't forget the outside of the door. A lantern or a little outdoor lighting can make coming home on a dark evening feel much more inviting.

4. Bring in something natural

Autumn is full of beautiful natural textures and colours, so take inspiration from what's outside.

A vase of dried foliage, a few branches, a houseplant or a simple arrangement of seasonal stems can bring life to a hallway without making it feel overly decorated.

Wooden furniture and woven baskets work particularly well alongside greenery and natural materials.

You don't need a huge arrangement. One well-placed natural element can be enough.

5. Make your entrance practical

A cosy hallway still needs to function. 
Autumn means wet coats, muddy boots, umbrellas and plenty of shoes, so give everything a place to live. A coat rack or hooks keep outerwear off the floor, while a basket can hide hats, gloves and dog-walking essentials.

...Don't underestimate the humble doormat.

A good doormat helps keep dirt and moisture at the entrance rather than letting it travel through the rest of your home. For wetter months, an outdoor mat outside combined with a washable or coir mat inside can provide an extra layer of protection.

6. Add personality

Your hallway doesn't have to look like a showroom. In fact, the most welcoming entrances usually have a little personality. Display something you love, choose artwork that makes you smile or pick a doormat that says something about the people who live there.

A funny phrase, colourful illustration or favourite pattern can instantly make a practical space feel more personal.

Your front door is the introduction to your home, so there's no reason it can't have a bit of character.

7. Don't forget the doorstep

Finally, look outside. Your hallway starts before you even walk through the front door, so giving the doorstep a little attention can make the whole entrance feel more finished.

A seasonal wreath, a couple of pots, a lantern or a new doormat can make a surprisingly big difference.

For autumn, think warm colours, foliage, pumpkins, natural textures and patterns that complement the season without feeling overly themed.

And if you're dealing with muddy weather, choose a mat that can cope with it.

A cosier hallway doesn't need a complete makeover

You don't need to buy a whole new hallway suite to make your entrance feel different for autumn.

Start small. Add a warmer colour, introduce a little texture, soften the lighting and give your doorstep some attention.

Then finish it off with a doormat that feels like you.

After all, it's one of the first things you see when you come home - it might as well make you smile.