Creating a cozy home means balancing accessibility and comfort

When the first cool breeze arrives amid the fading hours of daylight, I feel a pull toward home. Fall invites me to create a space that’s not only beautiful but safe, comforting, and easy to move through — a home that feels like a soft blanket at the end of the day. Living with Huntington’s disease has taught me that cozy isn’t just about looks. It’s about peace of mind, safety, and the freedom to move without strain.

Years ago, I approached fall decorating like a magazine spread: candles on every surface, throw blankets everywhere, seasonal trinkets filling every corner. I still love those touches, but I’ve learned they have to work with my life now. If a rug makes me trip or a blanket is so heavy it’s awkward to handle, the coziness becomes a hazard.

So, each fall, I make changes — some small, some more noticeable — to help my home welcome me instead of challenge me.

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Making adjustments

Lighting is one of the first adjustments I make. Shorter days mean more time under artificial light, which affects both my mood and my mobility. I layer light so it’s warm and even, avoiding deep shadows that can make walking less steady. A soft-glow lamp near the couch, a nightlight in the hallway, or a string of fairy lights creates both comfort and clarity. The difference in how my home feels on a dark fall evening is immediate: gentle instead of harsh, safe instead of stark.

Fall also makes me crave texture — blankets, pillows, soft rugs — but I’ve learned to choose them with intention. A cozy throw is wonderful, but if it’s too bulky or positioned where it slips underfoot, it can create a hazard. I keep blankets soft but easy to handle, and place rugs only where they won’t trip me. Comfort is knowing the things around me help, not hinder.

The kitchen changes, too. Fall stirs my love of preparing simmering soups, apple crisps, and mugs of tea, but cooking can be tiring when my energy dips. I bring my most-used items down to lower shelves so I don’t have to stretch or bend. I keep a sturdy stool nearby so I can sit while chopping vegetables. These small adjustments make cooking less of a strain and more of a joy.

My living spaces shift with the season as well. In the summer, I move through more rooms. In the fall, I gather in a few main spots. I arrange furniture for comfort and conversation while keeping walkways open. Too much seasonal decor, even if it’s beautiful, can feel like clutter and make moving harder. I choose pieces with purpose, such as a single vase of autumn flowers or a pumpkin in just the right spot, so the space feels warm but not crowded.

Scent is another layer I love. The smell of cinnamon, apple, or cedar instantly makes a room feel alive with fall. Instead of filling my home with candles everywhere, I use one or two well-placed ones or a diffuser. The right scent stirs up memories. Cinnamon might remind me of baking as a child, while cedar evokes a fireplace, even if I’m just curled up quietly in my chair.

Creating a cozy, accessible home for fall isn’t about perfection. It’s about listening to what I need now, in this season of my life, and letting my home reflect that. If something no longer works — a too-heavy blanket, a decorative piece that’s always in the way — I give myself permission to replace or remove it. Comfort now comes from balance: the beauty of fall paired with the ease my body needs.

When I walk into my living room on a crisp evening, I want to feel my shoulders drop. I want the lighting soft, the air carrying a scent I love, and the textures inviting me to rest without making me worry about safety. Adjusting lighting, rethinking textiles, and clearing pathways might seem like small changes, but together, they tell me: You are safe here. You can rest here. You belong here.

Fall reminds me that change can be gentle. A full renovation isn’t required to feel different. Sometimes it’s moving a lamp, opening space to walk freely, or swapping out a heavy blanket for one that’s both warm and light. These subtle shifts transform my home into a place where the season’s beauty meets my needs. In a life that can feel unpredictable, that harmony is the coziest thing of all.

Note: Huntington’s Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Huntington’s Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Huntington’s disease.