The days are getting shorter and we are enjoying the brisk days outside and the changing of the leaves. It’s time to think about preparing our homes for the winter. This can mean physically repairing and updating as well as decoratively making some seasonal changes to your home.

Now is a great time to spend a few hours on a Sunday looking over your home inside and out. Start with the doors and windows and make sure your seals are good and you are not experiencing any air leakage. Caulking or foam insulation can be used to fill in where necessary. If you have air conditioning units, now is the time to insulate and cover them for the winter. Check your roof, path and driveway and hire a professional for any necessary repairs. Get your chimney cleaned so you’re ready to safely snuggle up in front of a fire.

Now for the fun stuff. With so many retailers selling furnishings and accessories in seasonal colors and textures it’s easy to switch out just a few items and make a big impact. Maybe you have a neutral color sofa with bright satin pillows that remind you of summer. Switch them out for richer, warmer colors or a fabric with more texture. You can also add a cozy throw or footstool if you may be spending more time in that room with the weather turning colder.

Flowers always add beauty to a room, but be sure to bring in some fall branches, seasonal fruits and gourds to decorate your tablescape. Decorating with candle holders, stones and other natural elements are also reminiscent of the cooler weather and bring much needed touches of warmth into the home.

Of course when we think of seasonal changes the holidays come to mind. It’s fun to get excited about the holidays and decorate and plan in advance. This can be accomplished with homemade projects and art from your kids, collections you’ve amassed over the years, or seasonal decorations you purchased. The key is to group your items and create interesting clusters or focal points. You don’t want pictures hung randomly all over the house but if you give your kids or yourself a designated area such as a wall or window they can use this defined space to create a beautiful display. A coordinating display on a nearby console or window sill can pull the grouping together.

With the colder weather soon upon us we will all be spending more time indoors. It’s therefore time for maintaining and enhancing your home both inside and out. Once you’ve finished taking care of all the practical necessities that come with upkeeping your home, embrace the change in weather and get inspired to use it to beautify your home. Bring fall colors and textures as well as natural elements inside and cozy up with them in front of your fireplace for a nice long stretch.

By Shoshana Halpert