Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Autumn

Fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for the cold months ahead. Even though there may be a few summery days in the forecast, don’t put off these tasks. You’ll prevent costly damage and reduce your winter heating costs. Plus, your home will look and feel cozier once you’re done getting it ready for fall.

You only need a weekend to tackle these tasks. From simple changes in your home’s decor to what you should clean while the weather’s still nice, you’ll be ready no matter how unpredictable the forecast is.

Home Decor You Should Change for Fall

Cooler temperatures mean it’s time to get your favorite cozy clothes out of storage. Fall is a great time to swap out your home’s textiles and furnishings, too.

Hang Heavier Drapes and Curtains

Hanging heavier drapes in the fall helps insulate your home. Darker colors absorb the sun’s heat through windows, which adds heat to your home. Open your curtains once the sun rises but close them before sunset to trap the warmth indoors. Don’t forget to clean your summer curtains before storing them, though.

Rearrange Furniture

Your living room’s fireplace is a natural focal point for your furniture in colder months. So, part of getting your home ready for fall often means rearranging rooms. Moving seating areas away from drafty windows and doors also helps you stay warmer. And when you’re warm sitting in your favorite spot, you’re less likely to crank up the thermostat. (Here are more ways to help lower heating bills.)

Rotate Area Rugs and Cushions

Bright summer sunlight fades fabrics. Lots of use wears out rugs and cushions, too. To help them fade and wear evenly, rotate your area rugs at the end of summer. Do the same with sofa and chair cushions, also. Don’t forget to add cozy throw blankets and pillows to help get your home ready for fall’s chilly nights, too.

What to Clean After Summer Ends

Kids play outside a lot more in the summer, but they also track a lot of dirt into your home. You may have put off some housework in favor of enjoying those bright, sunny days, too. Even if you’re not up for an official Fall Cleaning, here’s how to get rid of summer’s grime.

Shampoo Your Carpets

Cleaning your carpet reduces dust and odors in your home. This is a perfect task to do when you’re getting your home ready for fall. Cooler days mean you can open your windows to help your carpets dry faster without causing mildew. Be sure to vacuum well first, then follow these steps to shampoo your carpets like a pro.

Wash Your Windows and Inspect Screens

Summer dust, storms, and pollen all leave windows grimy. Sometimes, you don’t even know how dirty they are until you’ve cleaned them. Washing windows is best done on a cool, overcast day, which makes them another great task to help get your home ready for fall. All you need is a bucket, a squeegee, and a homemade window cleaner that doesn’t streak. Make sure your screens are in good shape, too, or remove them for winter if you’re in an area that gets a lot of hail.

Clean and Reverse Ceiling Fan Blades

Ceiling fans get super dusty over the summer. To clean them, use an extension pole and a ceiling fan brush. Then, push the switch on the side of the motor housing to reverse their direction. When the blades rotate clockwise, they pull warm air down from the ceiling into your room where you need it.

Clean Your Storage Areas

The end of summer is an excellent time to make sure your garage, basement, and attic are free of mold and spider infestations. Don’t feel like you need to get them areas spic and span, but do give them a little attention. Look for cracks and water damage while you’re in there, too.