5 Easy Ways To Get Your House Ready For Fall

Summer is officially winding down and it's time to start preparing for fall. For many, this could mean doing a number of tasks such as putting away their summer wardrobe and digging out their chunky sweaters and boots, per Good Housekeeping, getting their vehicles ready for cooler weather, or even finishing up some of those pesky home repairs that they've been putting off all summer long.

As the weather turns cooler and the days get shorter in the Northern Hemisphere, many get excited for the autumn season as it's a time for special activities such as apple picking, heading to the pumpkin patch, and planning your Halloween costume. The season also serves as a reminder that the holidays are quickly approaching that there is much to be done.

Although fall can be one of the most fun and busy seasons of the year, it's important to remember that there are things around your home that likely need to be done to prepare for the upcoming cooler months — and now is the time to get started on these projects.

One of the easiest and most fun things to do to prepare your home for the fall is to give it a good clean. While many choose to do spring cleaning, a good fall clean is also excellent for your home, especially going into the holiday months when you may be entertaining guests and will be pressed for time. Deep cleaning your home now will help you in the future. In addition, colder weather can also bring in bugs and other creatures so be sure to inspect the nooks and crannies of your home while tidying up, per Apartment Therapy.

Adding some autumnal decor will also help you refresh your home and get you in the seasonal spirit. Adding fall staples like pumpkins, apples, leaves, or whatever you associate with the autumn season will not only give your living space an updated look and feel but also help you welcome in the new season. Just be sure to avoid tacky fall decor. Some people love to go all out with their fall decorations. However, if you're a minimalist, a few good pieces can really transform your space without looking cluttered, per Inspiration for Moms. Try adding a wooden tray of decor on your coffee table, changing your outdoor rug, giving your living room a pop of fall color with a throw blanket, or hanging a wreath from your door.

Our outdoor spaces also need a refresh for the fall season. There are plenty of ways to do this. Cleaning off your outdoor furniture or storing it if you don't use it in the fall is a good start. Some may also choose to powerwash their porches, patios, and decks heading into autumn, per Ecotek. Perhaps your summer flowers are no longer blooming and it's time to change them out with some colorful fall foliage like mums, which do great in the cooler weather, according to Bob Vila. New outdoor mats and a good sweep can also do wonders for your outside spaces. Of course, adding some autumn touches like pumpkins and lights can also take your space from summer to fall easily, per Better Homes & Gardens.

In addition to tidying up outside, it's also a great idea to clean out your gutters during fall (via Family Handyman). A lot of debris such as leaves can fall into the gutters and leave them clogged up. The same goes for any outdoor air conditioning units. Be sure to clean up, and even cover them when they're not in use. Washing your windows inside and out, as well as dusting or replacing blinds are also great ways to clean and prep your home for fall!

Now that the weather is getting cooler it's time to ditch the shorts and pull out your warmer clothing items. Go through your closet and rotate your seasonal wardrobe so that all of your fall and winter clothes are easier to find and don't forget to clean your closet along the way, per HGTV. This is also a great way to purge any items you may no longer want to donate those pieces of clothing that don't fit or you simply just never wear.

If you live in a climate where the nights tend to get very chilly, you may also need to break out some warmer bedding. Look for sheets made out of material that holds in the heat a bit better, and perhaps offers more fall and winter color schemes. In addition, you'll want to make sure you have plenty of blankets and a heavy comforter so that you stay nice and toasty during those cold fall and winter nights.

Some household tasks are easy to forget because they don't need to be done very often. However, the fall is the ideal time to sit down, make a list of the things you need to quickly get done, and start checking those things off. For many, tasks such as testing and/or changing the batteries in the smoke detectors get put on the back burner in favor of more important projects, per Family Handyman. In addition, flipping and rotating the mattress on your bed is also a quick and easy way to prep your home for fall, and is a task that should be done two to five times a year, per Casper.

Reversing your rugs also falls under the same category. So flip those rugs around to ensure that they're getting even distribution and foot traffic and staying nice and functional for as long as possible (via Thistlewood Farms). Covering up or storing your barbecue grill is also an easy way to prep for the cooler months. Finally, reversing your ceiling fans by flipping the small switch at their base will ensure that the warmer air circulates through your home in the fall and winter, just remember to change the setting back for spring and summer.

These are all easy ways to upgrade your home for fall and they won't take long to do.

The fall season is also a great time to clean and organize your garage, mudroom, or entryway. Everyone knows that garages can get very messy and cluttered in the summer. With tools like leaf blowers and lawnmowers being shoved in and out, it's easy for things to get disorganized. This is why fall is an ideal time to clear out the clutter that is no longer needed, put everything in its place, and ensure that any and everything you'll need for fall and winter, like snow blowers, rakes, and shovels are easily accessible, per Closet Works.

Mudrooms also get a lot of foot traffic and when wet weather hits they can become a disaster. Be sure to clean and tidy things up in there, and grab some new rugs and places for things such as shoes to be stored for easier clean up during the fall and beyond, per American Lifestyle. Meanwhile, entryways are also one of the busiest places in the home, and in the fall when visitors and coming in and out and kids are back to school, that area can get chaotic. Adding some shelves, hooks, and places for coats, shoes, and bags is an easy way to keep things tidy and off the floor.

Fall is a busy season, and with the weather turning cooler many spend more time indoors. So make sure your home is ready to accommodate you and your family.