Summer is so much fun- with long warm days it’s a chance for us all to get outside, enjoy plenty of physical activity and socialize more with the ones we care about. But there’s no denying the magic of autumn when the leaves change on the trees and the cool, crisp evenings kick in we all start to get cozy again. Movie nights with the family, roaring fires and the countdown to Halloween, bonfire night and Christmas all begin. Excited? Here’s how you can prepare yourself and your home for the months ahead.
Give your home a deep clean
‘Autumn clean’ doesn’t have quite the same ring to it as ‘spring clean’ but it’s always worthwhile giving your home a thorough gutting at the start of each season. Even if you keep your surroundings generally neat and tidy, there are certain jobs that get missed each time you clean- or that only need doing a few times a year. You could spend some time decluttering, getting rid of items you no longer need or use. You could hire a carpet cleaner, the Rug Doctor is available to hire from most supermarkets and isn’t expensive. You could wash curtains, throws, and blankets and pull out large pieces of furniture so you can dust and vacuum behind them. You’ll improve the air quality at home and give it a clean, fresh feel.
Prepare it for the bad weather
Before we know it the rain will return- and a whole lot of it. This can be a problem when it comes to our homes, so making sure it’s prepared will save you cost and hassle in the long run. Check that your gutters are clear to prevent leaks and spillages damaging the front of your home and causing water to penetrate inside, as this can be a cause of black mold to form. Call a professional for a pier and beam repair if you’re experiencing drainage issues. Make sure all of your windows are up to scratch- double glazing can fail after a while and cause whistling noises in the wind which can cause disturbances at home. One thing that’s worth doing is giving your boiler a test run by putting your central heating on, chances are it’s not been used in many months. If there are any problems, better to know about them now so you can get them repaired, rather than waiting until a really cold day and realizing you have no heating!
Make it cozy
Finally, the fun part- make it cozy! We’ve still got a month left of summer so it gives you time to purchase some nice new homeware pieces ready for the season ahead. Candles, cozy throws, and cushions, an autumn wreath for the door, higher tog duvets for the beds and other pieces to make it warm and inviting are all worth considering. If you have autumnal items from last year stored in your loft, have a look through and see what you’ve got.
