With the weather beginning to turn, it’s time to think about updating your home for the colder months ahead. As ever, it’s best to stay organized if you want to beat the winter blues and save some cash, and your home is the best place to start.
Getting your home winter-ready is an enjoyable task, and as long as you stay organized, it doesn’t need to add stress to your life. See the season change as a chance to get creative and embrace the colder climate, making the most of your home space and everything it has to offer. Now is the time to settle down for fall.
Not only will you want to home your pot plants undercover and add a blanket or two to your sofa, but you’ll also need to prepare your home for adverse weather and make sure you have cover for emergencies. So, without delay, here are ten ways to update your home this winter.
Update Your Cushions and Throws
Now that the nights are drawing in, you’re more likely to spend your evenings curled up with a good book than out on the town. Make your living space super cozy by swapping the cushions and throws on your sofa for more seasonal choices. Think big fluffy blankets, lots of scatter pillows in autumnal colors like red, orange and mustard to set the tone for the season.
If you’re super organized, you might have seasonal pillows stored from last year, in which case you can just arrange them how you like. If you want to style your sofa for the new season, but haven’t a clue where to start, check out Pinterest for home décor inspiration. Don’t forget to match the colors to your existing style, including your drapes, rugs and seat cushions.
Add to Your Candle Collection
There’s nothing better than a warm fire on a cold night, but if you’re not lucky enough to have a fireplace in your home, a candle can be the next best thing. With coziness in mind, it’s time to dust off last year’s collection and get the wicks burning. Don’t be afraid to update your stash, either. Yankee Candle stocks some beautiful scents at this time of year, such as Sugared Pumpkin Swirl and Autumn Leaves, and there are usually deals on multiple purchases.
As well as looking and smelling great, candles can be incredibly useful in the event of a power cut, so you don’t need to feel guilty about splurging on them! Stock up on tea lights and lighters in case you get plunged into darkness next time there’s a storm.
Check Your Home for Structural Issues
Nothing spoils the enjoyment of winter hibernation more than a cold draft coming from your doors or windows, or worse yet, a leaky roof. The winter can bring with it some unpredictable weather, so it’s a good idea to check your home for any structural issues now to prevent future disasters. To check for drafts, run your hands along the seals of your windows and around your doors to check for cold air. You may want to invest in some insulation curtains if it feels particularly chilly.
If your window frames are cracked, or there is mold growing around them, you may need a full window repair or replacement before the winter sets in. Contact a local company like US Window, who can provide a window replacement San Diego.
Prep Your Pantry
One of the most enjoyable aspects of winter is that it inspires us to be more creative with our cooking. If you’re keen to embrace the art of hibernation, why not look at preserving your fruits and vegetables or making jams and chutneys? That way, you’ll have something delicious and homemade to give to friends and family for Christmas.
Make sure you have some winter essentials in your pantry, just in case your home gets hit with a storm or severe weather. Bottled water, jars of beans, vegetables and fruits, peanut butter and pancake mixes are useful staples to have, as well as torches and batteries in case there is a power cut. It’s also a good idea to keep some spare gas and snow-shoveling tools in your garage.
Add Decorations
Decorations are not just for Thanksgiving or Christmas; in fact, many people decorate their home for fall, too. You don’t have to spend vast amounts of money for these either; you can make your home look great by simply dotting around bunches of festive flowers, a few decorated pumpkins, and maybe even some dried leaves or branches. If you have children, this is the perfect opportunity to get creative with them and spruce your home up for fall in the meantime. Then, when Halloween comes around, you’ll only need to add a few cobwebs and hang some plastic bats, and your home will be ready for a party!
Get Your Outside Space Ready for Spring
It may seem preemptive to be thinking about spring already, but the more care you show your garden during the colder months, the more it will have to offer you once winter is over. Now is the best time to bring any pot plants indoors and cover any vegetable patches with frost blankets to protect them. If you have fruit that needs picking, you could try preserving it or making it into chutneys, and you can freeze or dry any leftover herbs. Some gardeners also swear by fertilizing their lawns at this time of year for healthier grass come spring.
Upgrade Your Lighting
There is less natural light during the fall months, and the evenings get gradually darker, so it’s worth investing in some good quality lighting to keep your home feeling bright. String lights are very fashionable at the moment, as are table lamps and large overhead pendants. Spend some time looking through home décor magazines to find a fixture that suits your style and budget, and treat your home to a new winter glow.
If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), it’s worth considering buying a light therapy box to help you get out of bed in the mornings. These lights are fantastic for regulating your natural circadian rhythm and letting your body know when you’re ready for sleep.
Get Your Furnace Checked
A broken furnace is possibly every family’s worst nightmare during the winter period, so make sure you get it serviced before the weather turns. Don’t settle for a quick check from a friend or family member. Instead, get your furnace properly serviced by a qualified professional who can provide you with a gas safety certificate at the same time.
If you don’t already have insurance cover for your furnace, now’s the time to get it, as it could mean the difference between a broken heating system over the holiday period and someone coming out to service it in an emergency. While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to check your entire home insurance policy to make sure you’re covered for weather damage.
Clean the Gutters and Drains
No one wants to have to clean the gutters and drains, but it’s one of those tasks that needs to be done regularly to avoid overflow. Debris, leaves and mud can get into your drain and block it up. Over time, this could leak through your roof and walls, so it’s worth getting it over with before winter.
If you can’t face doing it yourself, you can hire someone to come in and clean your gutters and drains for you. That way, at least you’ll know that the job has been done, and you won’t need to get your hands dirty in the process.
Update Your Wardrobe
It’s essential to update your wardrobe for winter, particularly if you live in a cold climate. Make a list of everything you’ll need, including hats, gloves, a scarf, sweaters and boots, and budget a specific amount for each item. Being organized will prevent you from making impulse buys when you’re out shopping, and you’ll be able to think clearly about how you spend your money.
If your budget is tight, why not host a winter clothes swap with your friends? You can stockpile all your leftover garments from last year and encourage everyone else to do the same. That way, someone else can get some wear out of the items you no longer wear, and vice versa. Alternatively, you could look for seasonal sales online, collect coupons and keep an eye out for bargains in thrift stores and on eBay.
Get Your Home Winter Ready
Getting your home ready for fall can be immensely satisfying, as if you’re tapping into your primitive roots. So why not embrace the season and start getting your home organized for the colder months?
Whether you’re worried about preserving heat and energy, or you’re looking to add a bit of seasonal style to your home, there are plenty of things you can do to make your living space safe and comfortable this winter.
