5 fun DIY projects to get your home ready for fall

It’s the end of summer and soon the flip flops will be back in storage and the warm cable knit sweaters will be coming out. As the weather gets cooler, the leaves change, and the nights get longer, it might be time to make a few changes to your new home to get ready for fall. We’re not talking about winterizing, just some quick decorating tips to help you get ready to spend a little more time indoors (and make sure you’re comfy while you do it).

1. Get cozy in the kitchen

As pumpkin spice season quickly approaches, the stores are going to be chock full of scented candles for your home. However, you don’t need to buy that pumpkin spice candle at Bath and Body Works to have your home smelling like autumn. Simply whip up a tasty treat in the kitchen to fill your house with the scents of the season.

Via Oh She Glows

Take advantage of the peach harvest and make the Oh She Glows End of Summer Peach Apple Cobbler to lend your home a sweet and spicy scent. If peaches aren’t your thing, don’t worry, Angela’s award-winning blog is full of great vegan and gluten-free recipes for all seasons.

Via Saveur

Saveur also rounded up 35 of their best pumpkin dishes so you’ll never run out of reasons to enjoy the scent of pumpkin this season. You can find more inspiration for your fall holiday cooking at Design Sponge where Grace Bonney has curated a list of 15 great cookbooks for Fall. Use these recipes to keep your house smelling better than any run-of-the-mill pumpkin spice candle.

2. Change up your wall art

Via The Paper Place

As we shift seasons, it might be time to freshen up the walls in your living space. This doesn’t mean you have to repaint the house - simply change up some of the wall art to reflect the season. Use prints with deep oranges, reds, mauves, and mossy greens to help your home feel warm in the depths of winter. Stop by The Paper Place on Queen West in Toronto and browse their beautiful collection of papers. They have tons of amazing (and affordable) prints that can be cut to fit frames of any size.

Via Society6

Another great way to add some inexpensive and high quality art to your home is through Society6. The site offers artwork from thousands of artists from around the world at great prices. The collection is constantly being updated and you can search the catalogue by colour, which is a great way to find some autumn-inspired prints for your home.

Via Better Homes and Gardens

If you’re feeling really creative, take a stroll through the park, collect some autumn leaves, and frame them.

3. Add some cozy lighting

Via Pinterest

You may have already noticed that the evenings are getting longer as dusk seems to creep up a few minutes earlier every day. As summer draws to a close, prepare your home for the cooler nights with some cozy lighting. Apartment Therapy recommends using a dimmer switch or low-watt bulbs (40 or lower) to make the room feel more intimate and warm. The position of your light source is also key to keeping your living space cozy. Place lamps on your bedside table or on a side table next to the couch instead of relying on overhead lights to make the room feel warmer.

4. Prepare the “landing strip”

In the fall, all the heavy jackets, boots, mittens, scarves, and backpacks come out. Suddenly your front entrance is overflowing with winter-wear and you can’t find your keys or that important bill you need to pay by tomorrow. Prepare for the chaos and get your home’s “landing strip” ready for the cool weather. Add some organizational bins to collect stray mittens, install some hooks to catch items before they land on the floor, and get the closet ready for all the winter boots. This will keep your home (and life) clutter-free and organized. Apartment Therapy has a ton of guides to help you figure out the best organization technique for your landing strip.

5. Clean out the closet (and make sure it smells good too!)

Via New Minimalism

Autumn is typically the time when we start pulling out all our sweaters and putting away the tank tops. As you rotate your closet, it’s a great time to revisit the minimalism challenge and get rid of any clothing items you haven’t worn in the last year or those workout clothes that have seen one-too-many trips to the gym. If you’re having trouble letting go, check out New Minimalism for inspiration (and some great closet organization ideas).

Via Free People Blog

This is also a good time to freshen up those drawers. Keep clothes from becoming musty over the winter by creating some scented sachets to put in your wardrobe. These little guys are super easy to make - you only need some dried lavender, light fabric (or tissue paper), and string. Free People suggests laying a square of fabric flat and adding two tablespoons of lavender to the centre. Gather the fabric, tie the top shut with some string, and tuck it into your drawers or between folded clothing. If you’re having a tough time finding scented lavender, simply wrap a mild bar of scented soap in fabric to achieve the same effect!

What do you do to get the home ready for fall? Do you have any autumn decorating tips or recipes? Share them with us at @NewHomeBuyers on Facebook!