7 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Fall
As the leaves begin to paint the world in warm hues of red, orange, and gold, and a gentle chill creeps into the air, there’s no denying that autumn has arrived. It’s a season that brings with it a sense of coziness and transformation—that includes your home!
It’s time to say goodbye to the light, airy vibes of summer and say hello to a warm and inviting sanctuary. From the crisp aroma of fallen leaves to the anticipation of pumpkin-spiced everything, preparing your home for fall can truly enhance your overall comfort.
Grab a cup of your favorite autumnal beverage, wrap yourself in a blanket, and let’s dive into 7 ways you can prep your home for fall!
1. Reverse Your Ceiling Fan’s Direction
The direction in which your ceiling fan operates can actually play a huge role in the comfort of your space. By default, ceiling fans are designed to circulate cool air downwards, providing relief from the heat during spring and summer months. However, when the weather starts to cool down, pushing more cool air down may not be the most comfortable experience.
Time to flip the switch—most ceiling fans come equipped with a reverse setting, which allows them to circulate air upwards instead. This clever feature allows for warm air trapped near the ceiling to gradually descend, creating a cozy atmosphere full of welcoming warmth below.
2. Invest in Quality Bedding and Blankets
While the arrival of cooler weather can be a welcome change after the scorching summer months, feeling cold within the confines of your own home is far from pleasant. Fall’s arrival heralds the season of snuggling up, and investing in quality bedding and blankets is a surefire way to enhance your autumnal coziness.
3. Seasonal Decor
It’s not truly fall until the seasonal decor comes out of storage and floods your home, right?
It’s time to dust off those wreaths, bring out the fall-inspired candles, and spread out the cornucopia of vibrant leaves, pumpkins, and gourds throughout your home. These decorations, whether proudly displayed on the front porch or adorning our living spaces, infuse our homes with the unmistakable warmth and nostalgia that only fall can bring.
4. Fall Food Essentials
It’s that time of year when we bid adieu to the light and refreshing dishes of summer and eagerly welcome back our favorite fall-inspired foods. To fully savor the flavors of this season, it’s time to stock up on essentials.
From the classic pumpkin pie to warm hearty stew to even a cozy cup of apple cider, there’s so many classic fall favorites to enjoy. What’s great is many of your favorite dishes can be made with pantry staples. So stock up on spices, soup ingredients, apples, and pumpkin puree and get excited for fall food goodness.
And let’s not forget about the most cherished fall meal of all—Thanksgiving. Avoid the madness of the grocery store during holiday prep and get all of the essentials you can early in the season.
5. Fireplace and Chimney Maintenance
Getting cozy and relaxing in front of the fireplace is truly the picture-perfect fall evening. But when was the last time you even used your fireplace? We’re guessing it’s been a minute. Before you even think about lighting up your fireplace (or turning it on for those with electric fireplaces), have it cleaned and inspected.
To ensure your home remains free from potential hazards, we’ve compiled some valuable tips on chimney and fireplace maintenance, allowing you to relish the warmth of the flames with peace of mind:
- For electric fireplaces, start by turning off the valve or power source.
- Cover surrounding furniture to prevent any accidental damage during cleaning.
- Inspect the chimney interior for animals or nests that may have taken residence.
- Remove and clean the fireplace screens, and try using a brush and rinse for optimal results.
- Clear away ashes and dust from the fireplace, ensuring a clean slate for your next fire (including any remnants of wood from previous use).
All that’s left is to stock up on fresh wood, and then sit back and relish the cozy warmth of your fireplace without any worries other than enjoying the mesmerizing flames.
6. Clean Gutters & Downspouts
In the world of home maintenance, a little effort now can save you a lot of headaches down the road. And the arrival of fall serves as a gentle reminder that it’s time to take action on an essential—yet often overlooked—task: cleaning out our gutters and downspouts. It’s not a fun or glamorous part of fall prep, but it is important for many reasons.
As the leaves begin to shed their vibrant colors and gracefully descend, they find their way into every nook and cranny, including your home’s gutters. If you neglect maintaining your gutters, issues like clogged drainage systems to damage to your home’s foundation can rise. So, take this opportunity to prepare your gutters for the coming season to ensure your home remains protected from the autumn elements.7. Clean Gutters & Downspouts
As temperatures drop and the leaves take on their autumn hues, the impact of seasonal changes extends to our lawns. To safeguard your grass from withering or succumbing to invasive weeds during the upcoming winter and spring, consider applying fertilizer in the fall – the optimal choice for lawn care. During September and October, the morning dew creates the ideal conditions for effective fertilizer absorption, nurturing your lawn. By taking this proactive step now, you’ll be well-prepared to fortify your grass against the challenges posed by harsher weather, ensuring a vibrant and healthy lawn in the months to come.
From snuggling with a soft blanket to pumpkin carving, the fall season is anticipated every year for the special feeling it brings. With these tips, you can be prepared to welcome and enjoy the season with all that it has to offer!
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