The first day of Autumn this week brings reminders that the nights are drawing in and summer is now set to become a distant memory. No longer will the patio doors be flung open all day long or the garden be an added entertaining area in the home, in Autumn it’s common for us to retreat into our homes in search of warmth, cosiness and shelter from the cold.

So, here are a few tips to help prepare your home for the Autumn season ahead.

Test your Heating

You’ve heard those stories of people who will try and leave their heating off as long as possible, until the cold weather forces them to switch it on, but it can be helpful to have the boiler serviced, and switch the heating on and let it run whilst the weather is still fairly mild, as this ensures that you won’t get a nasty surprise once the cold weather arrives and you realise that your heating is no longer working and you possibly need a new boiler, or your heating fixed as soon as possible. Testing your heating now, means that you are all set for the Autumn and Winter ahead.

Eliminate Drafts

Autumn is notorious for exposing all of those drafty spots that you have in your home, which cold air creeps in through.  Draft-proofing your home now can help to save you money on your energy bills in the months ahead. Use fabric draught excluders, or foam or metal strips to help stop the heat escaping in the colder months. Having long curtains hung on windows can also help to achieve this.

Prepare the Garden for Colder Weather

It’s helpful to put anything that won’t be used in the months ahead (like patio furniture or garden toys) away in a shed or garage, or cover it up. Give the grass that final once-over and do any other gardening preparations that you may need to, before Garden Waste collections stop.

Dig out the Slow Cooker

In the colder months, there’s nothing more satisfying than knowing that you’re coming home to, or looking forward to, a nice warm meal at the end of the day, and so a slow cooker is a great way to ensure that a hearty evening meal awaits. Just a few moments preparation in the morning, or the night before, could mean that you can look forward to a delicious warming meal, ready to serve, with minimum fuss and effort.

Change the Duvet

If you want to sleep well at night, then you need to be warm enough, so now is a great opportunity to change your Duvet for a thicker tog, and add extra blankets and a bed spread to the bed, to keep you warm all season long!

Wardrobe Swap

Autumn means putting away those summer clothes until next year and digging out that cosy Knit Wear and those Boots. Swap the clothes in your wardrobe around, so that the clothes you will need for Autumn are more accessible and don’t forget about Outdoor Clothes too! Swap Flip Flops and Sun Hats by the door for Coats, Hats, Scarves and Gloves and check that you and those in your family have everything they need in preparation for the colder weather ahead, as shopping for new items now will save time and hassle in the long run.

Candles, Rugs, and Throws

Accessories in your home can really help that feeling of “Hygge” in the home as the weather changes. Wooden Floors may be great in the summer months, but in Autumn, a cosy Rug on the floor can really help you keep warm underfoot. Additionally, having a couple of throws handy to snuggle under on those colder evenings will help keep you cosy and warm.

Add a few scented candles, gently flickering away, and you’ve got all of the elements needed to help your home extra cosy and welcoming on a dark Autumnal evening.

Bring the Outside in

There’s so much opportunity to celebrate nature and decorate our homes with items from Nature during Autumn.

Why not forage for some of the gorgeous foliage which is around this time of year and create a stunning autumn display on a window sill or sideboard. Even a bowl full of conkers can make a great centre-piece at this time of year, or if you’re feeling extra creative, you could create an Autumn Wreath for the door.

If you, or someone you know has an allotment, then Autumn and Harvest are definitely the time for a bounty of vegetables, which you could turn into some hearty soups and store in the Freezer to enjoy over the season.

Autumn is also prime blackberry and sloe berry season, so why not go foraging for berries and get that Sloe Gin collection off to a great start.

Those are just a few tips for you to get Autumn off to a great start in your home.

We’re always happy to advise on aspects of all things home related throughout the year so please do feel free to get in touch if we can be of any assistance on 01727 221290.