Get Your Home Ready For Autumn

The autumn season is where the nights start to draw in and temperatures start feeling cooler, the tree leaves change colour, restaurants and coffee stores debut pumpkin-spice flavours on the menu, Bonfire Night and Halloween celebrations take place, and the Harvest Festival is celebrated. In the home, it's all about transitioning from summer and making the living space feel warm and cosy.

Astronomical autumn begins on 23 September 2022 and ends on 21 December 2022, whilst meteorological autumn always begins on 1 September and ends on 30 November. Are you looking for ways to get your home organised and ready for the autumn season? Nothing beats that hygge feeling of snuggling up in a cosy home – and the changing season is the ideal time to get your house set up for this.

From preparing your outdoor space to deep cleaning the house and making seasonal autumn decor updates, there are lots of little jobs to do to get your home in tip-top shape before the arrival of winter and Christmas. These autumn home ideas will help as the nights get shorter.

1. Deep clean the house

We often think about giving the house a spring clean but we forget that the autumn season is an ideal time for a deep clean, too. Give the windows a good clean, wipe down the skirting boards, and dust commonly forgotten areas like lampshades and the top of cupboards and shelves. Start with the living room and work your way around the house. Once you start on the kitchen, don't forget to give your oven a deep clean and clean the fridge, too.

It's a good idea to give your windows a little love, such as cleaning roman and venetian blinds. 'Ideally, you should clean your blinds once a month to get rid of any germs and dust that are lingering on the surface,' says Jason Peterkin, director at 247 Blinds. 'If you have roller blinds or Roman blinds, I suggest giving them a soft dusting and gentle vacuum once a month. Venetian or plantation shutters can have a more thorough clean, if needed.'

2. Don't forget the gutters

Autumn is a great time to clear your gutters. Checking for falling leaves and twigs will help to avoid water not being able to flow correctly. 'Gutters should be cleaned out and checked for damage each year,' explains Matt Nourse from Toolstation.

If you want to keep costs down and clean them yourself, Matt recommends putting a piece of hardboard at the bottom of the downpipe to prevent debris from getting into the gully or drain where it could cause a blockage.

He adds: 'Scoop out any debris with the trowel and take care to not let anything drop into the downpipe and try to avoid debris falling down the walls because it may cause stains that could be hard to remove. Remove the hardboard or rag and pour down three or four buckets of water slowly into the gutter at the furthest end of the downpipe. You could use a hosepipe to lead water there too.'

We recommend doing this at the end of the autumn season, too. Gutters are likely to get clogged up with leaves, so keep an eye on them throughout the season.

3. Clean the fireplace

If you're planning on using your fireplace this autumn, line the area with newspaper and remove all loose ashes and dust with a shovel and broom. Then, use a wire brush to clean off the soot from the brick, and use baking soda and warm water on a sponge to clean the remaining soot and dust off.

4. Insulate the home

'A well-insulated house can help to significantly reduce your energy bill, especially during autumn and winter. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to make your home more energy-efficient is to insulate and draught-proof your external doors,' says Marc Husband, Purchasing Director at Leader Doors.

Ensure your keyhole has a purpose-made escutcheon with a fitted cover to prevent heat loss, and install a letterbox brush if needed. Do you have gaps between the door and floor? A brush strip draught excluder will prevent heat from leaving, and the cold from coming into your home, whilst if you have gaps between the door and its frame, fill it with fit foam, a brush strip draught excluder or wiper strips.

5. Declutter and streamline your living space

Donate unwanted furniture, homeware and electrical items, plus clothes and shoes to charity, and have a good clear out of your kitchen cupboards. You can donate all your in-date but unwanted food to food banks, where those in need can make use of them. You should end up with an uncluttered, streamlined home, giving you more space to enjoy the calm, cosy surroundings that the autumn season brings.

6. Set the atmosphere with scent

Candles and diffusers create the perfect cosy setting for a relaxing night in and there's an array of different scented and non-scented varieties to choose from. Add a few dotted tea lights or go for large pillar candles for that extra cosy feeling.

'There is nothing more comforting than an autumn scent running through the air on a rainy evening. Deck your living room out with rich scents that create a cosy atmosphere. Trendy mason jar candles with scents of ginger, pumpkin pie, cinnamon, and cedar wood complete the ultimate autumn vibe,' says Sylvia James, interior designer at HomeHow.co.uk.

7. Incorporate autumnal colours

Mix subtle yellows, rich oranges and deep red tones with earthy browns – all colours associated with autumn – to create a warming, homely environment. Prestigious Textiles' head designer, Marie Goodwin, explains: 'Whether painting a whole room, re-upholstering a sofa or adding new accessories, utilising these colours will instantly bring the autumn indoors.'