9 Ways to Prepare Your Home for the Autumn

For most people in the northern hemisphere, autumn is that magical time of year when life suddenly becomes all about cozying up and enjoying the little things. Whether you're looking forward to sweater weather, pumpkin spice lattes, or nature donning its breathtaking warm colors, there's a lot to enjoy.

Nonetheless, autumn does come with its challenges, especially for homeowners. As the days get shorter and colder, this is the last chance to prepare your home for the season. There's a lot to do and not much time, so, as with anything, it's best to come up with a plan and go step by step.

Let's look at all the ways to prepare your home for the autumn.

Finish up Any Construction Work

If you're one of those homeowners who see summer as the perfect opportunity to invest in your property, you've probably gotten started with quite a few projects. Whether it was giving your home a fresh lick of paint, roofing work, or even adding in an extension, now is the time to finish up.

As the days get colder, you want to seal your home well. Furthermore, aim to get rid of any debris from your renovation. All of these actions take time, so it's best that you put together a plan and get on with it before you find yourself in a pinch.

Deep Clean Your House

While spring gets all the rep when it comes to making your house squeaky clean, you should still aim to do some tidying work as autumn kicks in.

Cover all the major chores, like cleaning windows, washing carpets, and airing out your couch cushions. It's also not a bad idea to thoroughly clean floors, surfaces, and doorknobs, and keep up the practice throughout the flu season. As the weather is still relatively warm, you can rest assured that all your fabric items will dry well, so you won't have to worry about moisture, even if you're putting them away for storage.

Clean the Gutters

Most professionals recommend that you clean your gutters once a year, in late autumn, when most trees have shed their leaves. However, depending on your location, you may have to be more diligent about checking for debris and blockage.

Those with pine trees close to their home or living in higher elevations should check and clean rain gutters every three months to prevent the roof and foundations from damage.

Prepare to Get Warm

As the cold weather rolls in, you'll want to make sure the temperature inside your home is just right. Get your boiler serviced, program your floor heating, clean the fireplace, and have the chimney swept. It's also not a bad idea to put up a thick set of curtains that'll improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Other than that, make sure that there are plenty of blankets, cozy slippers, and soft rugs around the house. They'll make all the difference on cold mornings and chilly nights when you need a bit of extra warmth.

Your Bedroom Needs Attention Too

While we're on the subject of chilly evenings and cold mornings, make sure that the temperature in your bedroom is at a comfortable 65 degrees so that you can get quality rest at night.

In addition to adjusting the thermostat, consider wearing a pair of wool socks to bed and investing in a flannel duvet cover. The loosely-woven material is the perfect insulator, and it will keep you warm without sacrificing breathability.

Fill Your Cupboards with Spices

What better way to enjoy a peaceful autumn evening at home than with a bowl of hot soup or your favorite comfort food?

If you're one for cooking adventures, then you'll want to stock your pantry with fragrant spices.

Get that cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin spice, and rosemary, and see how they transform your favorite recipes. Some of them will even boost your immune system, which is the perfect combination of tasty and beneficial.

Set the Mood

Unfortunately, autumn brings shorter days, which means less light. While this can have a negative effect on your mood, there are some tricks you can use to work with your circadian rhythm and keep your energy levels up.

During the day, you should aim to use brighter, cooler colored bulbs that'll energize you. In the evenings, however, dim the lamps, light a few candles, and let the warmer tones prepare you for a good night's sleep. It's easy, yet it works!

Protect Your Beloved Plants

If you're one for foliage and greenery around the home, you're sure to have several potted plants around the yard. To protect them from the cold temperatures, however, you may need to prepare them for overwintering.

Some of them you can take inside your home. Keep them away from direct sources of heat, give them enough moisture, and leave them in a sunny spot.

Nonetheless, plants like begonias, oleanders, and fuchsia will need to go into dormancy, so prepare a space for them in your unheated garage or basement.

Prepare a Room for Hobbies

Finally, with autumn coming, it's not a bad idea to create a space inside your home where you'll be able to kick back and relax.

Whether your hobbies include arts and crafts, reading, or exercise, you can do some decluttering and find space to enjoy these activities at home. You'll be more than happy to stay in when it's cold and wet outside.

Final Words

No matter the size of your home, there's a lot that you need to do before the cold months come. The quicker you get down to business, the sooner you'll be able to sit back and enjoy the season of hygge.

In addition to the must-dos, like checking your roof, windows, insulation, and appliances, don't forget to pay attention to the small details as well. While a cozy throw on the sofa doesn't seem like much, it's still a great way to make your living space warm and inviting while the weather worsens outside.