Fall officially begins this coming Saturday, September 22nd - just a few days from now.   Today’s post offers 10 easy tips you can use to get your home ready to welcome fall.  Some of us may need to use all of these tips, while those living in a warm climate year-round may want to pick and choose a few to implement just for ambiance.

Welcome Fall

Fall is fabulous – get ready to enjoy it!  Transition your home from hot summer days and nights to crisp fall days and cool nights with these tips:

1.  Bring in Live Plants – help your family transition from being outdoors during the summer to being indoors more in the fall by adding house plants.  Pot a few great plants while the nurseries are still lush.  Select carefully and you may be able to enjoy them indoors during fall and winter and then move them outside during spring and summer.

2. Block Out the Cold - if you removed your window coverings or put up shears in order to let in the summer light, now is the time to hang more substantial window coverings so you can block out the cold as fall nights chill and winter follows.  In the photo above I can imagine the room lightened for summer with just the Roman shades and then adding the striped and fringed drapes for warmth as fall begins.

3.  Bring in Textures – add cozy and tactile materials to your home through toss pillows, snugly throws, furniture slip covers, hammered metals, and wooden items.  Toss pillows and a cozy throw increase the cuddle factor of the striped sectional shown above.

4.  Protect and Warm Your Floors – add mats on both sides of your entry doors to dry damp shoes and keep leaves, needles and mud from being tracked inside.  Consider adding area rugs to your living and family room, even if you already have carpeting.  The color and texture will add another appealing layer to visually warm your home.

5.  Add Lighting – shorter days mean less light so check each room and add lamps in potentially dark corners.  Each room should have ample general lighting, task lighting and ambient lighting – include lots of candles to add a special glow.

6. Ready Your Fireplace – now’s a good time to check and clean your chimney.  Make sure there’s no abandoned nests, unwanted cracks or built-up debris.  Then lay-in wood so it will be ready to light when you want to snuggle around around a crackling fire.

 

7.  Swap Out Art and Accessories – store the seashells and driftwood and replace them with rocks and vases filled with colorful leaves, moss or branches.  Stash the floral photos and instead hang more seasonal art or interesting, rich textiles.

 

8.  Dress Your Table – change your dinnerware from pastels and summer colors and dress the table with the rich colors of fall.  Replace light weight summer linens with heavier, textured pieces and add organic items like gourds, pumpkins and leaves to your table.

9. Cozy Up Your Bed – put the heavy blankets or fluffy comforters back on the bed.  Layer the bed linens and add lots of cozy pillows as an invitation to sink in and cuddle.

10.  Dress Your Front Door – Let guests know they’re welcome to celebrate fall with you.  Add an autumn wreath to the door, replace potted daisies and petunias with striking mums and don’t forget to leave space for adding a few pumpkins and gourds soon.

Fall Into Decorating

How will you bring fall into your home decor this year?  Share your plans by clicking on the Comment button at the end of this post.

Remember too, that if you need help with color changes, room arrangements, or a specific problem in your home, Terrie and I would love to help.  What’s frustrating for you is fun for us – let us help you solve your decorating problems with a personal consultation.  Read about our one-on-one offerings by clicking here.