Simple Ways to Transition Your Home From Summer to Fall

Summer is the season to be outside. Whether you like lounging in the sun, playing sports, or both, you’ve probably enjoyed the warmth this season brings. However, fall is just around the corner, and that means your entire vibe is about to change.

Sure, you can still enjoy the weather and the outdoors, but fall has a markedly different feel to it. As such, you might want your house to make a bit of a transition, too: gone are the days of summer-bright colors and patterns. Now, you want to be surrounded by the warmth of autumn as the seasons shift.

Fortunately, it’s easy to make your home fall-ready with just a few swaps to improve the look and overall feel. Not only will you help transition your décor, but a few simple steps will make your home more efficient for the cooler months ahead.

Add natural elements

When it comes to fall, the most salient imagery is that of nature. Whether you see falling leaves, piles of pumpkins or crates full of apples, it’s easy to envision the season by what’s happening to the trees and fields around you. Bring some of these natural elements into your home for an instant touch of autumn.

You can also spruce up your kitchen table, countertop or banquet with a fall-themed bouquet. There are two ways of going about building an autumnal centerpiece: you can choose flowers known to bloom in fall, or choose blossoms based on their fall-inspired colors. Your local florist probably has plenty of know-how on building fall-themed bouquets, since many brides request them for their seasonal weddings. The same flowers can be used to make the fresh flowers you display at your house, too.

Clean your fireplace

Chances are, your fireplace has sat idle since the first 70-degree day last spring. As soon as fall gusts in, though, you’ll want to re-light that fire and have it burning all fall and winter long. The only thing is, your hearth and chimney might not be ready for use again — it’s your job to make sure it is before you use it.

So, take a summer’s afternoon to clean out your fireplace. Vacuum up all of the ashes left over from last year. You might also want to have your chimney inspected to make sure there are no dangerous blockages inside. Top it all off by making the entire space cozier with candles placed on the mantle and around the room to amplify the fireplace’s warmth.

Swap for Fall scents

Summer scents are sweet, tropical and ultra fresh. As such, you might have invested in air fresheners and candles to match, wafting such classic scents as coconut, watermelon and pineapple.

Of course, these cool aromas have no place in a fall-themed space — there are plenty of iconic fall scents to go with instead of the ones you picked up for summer. Spiced pear, pumpkin, cinnamon and apple are probably the first options to come to mind, and they’re just a handful of the many scents associated with the season. Choose your favorite in the form of plug-in air fresheners, candles or potpourri and voila: every time you breathe in, you’ll be reminded that it’s fall.

Hang some curtains- and use them strategically

Fall is a great time to prepare your home for winter, when you’ll want it to be as energy-efficient as possible. One way to do it is to hang curtains throughout your home as both a decorative element and a safeguard against drafty windows.

Curtains add height and warmth to just about any room — the latter clearly plays well into your goal of having a fall-ready home. Choosing thicker fabrics will serve your well in your quest to make the space physically warmer, too. All you have to do is close your curtains on cooler days and the fabric will prevent some of the drafts from reaching much further than the windowpane.

Another great thing about curtains (or blinds or shutters you may have on your windows, for that matter) is that you can open and close them strategically in order to maximize your home’s interior warmth. Let the sunlight in, since it’s a great, natural source of heat; close shutters and curtains when it’s dark or otherwise dreary to keep temperatures steady inside.

Throw blankets (and pillows)

Finally, to complete your fall makeover, add one final cozy element: a throw blanked. Pick up a warm, thick, textured blanket and lay it over your couch or favorite recliner. You’ll instantly add interest and coziness to your room, and you can actually enjoy using the blanket as temperatures drop. You can give the same treatment to each foot of the beds in your home, making things especially fall-ready if you choose seasonal colors.

The same goes for throw pillows, which can instantly change the color scheme of a room. If yours are a bit too bright heading into fall and winter, swap out the covers for more subdued ones: maroon, burnt oranges, golden rod, forest green… all of these deep, rich colors scream “fall” and might just complete your home’s seasonal transformation.

How will you ready your home for this fall season? No matter which of the above you choose, you’ll find yourself excited to snuggle up inside of your cozier autumnal abode, and that’s what fall is all about.

Kacey is a lifestyle blogger for The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Kacey graduated with a degree in Communications while working for a lifestyle magazine. She has been able to fully embrace herself with the knowledge of nature, the power of exploring other locations and cultures, all while portraying her love for the world around her through her visually pleasing, culturally embracing and inspiring posts.

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