With a new term comes a new season. We’re two weeks away from the autumn equinox, a period of both change and balance, where the energy of the season invites us to slow down, reflect and prepare for the colder months ahead.
With summer holidays over, children returning to school and routines restored, now is the perfect time for space cleansing, decluttering and getting the home ready for hibernation mode. Not sure where to start? Here’s our handy checklist on transforming your home for autumn:
Deep clean
Start by cleansing your space – the practice of clearing out and releasing negative energy from your home is a cathartic exercise. While we’re programmed for the essential post-winter spring clean, an autumn overhaul is just as important. The house may be left in chaos from the whirlwind of school holidays, but don’t let it overwhelm you.
Read our spring cleaning guide for a breakdown of how to tackle each room one at a time. Jobs such as cleaning fireplaces, checking insulation and clearing gutters are vital at this time of year.
Declutter and streamline your living space
Once the home feels fresher, start decluttering. Sort through toys, getting rid of broken ones and donating those no longer played with. You can never have enough storage when it comes to toys. Cube stacking boxes are brilliant for organising items into categories, while large baskets provide storage with easy access for quick tidying.
Pack away high-summer clothes and bring out the warmer knits and jackets. These lightweight yet sturdy canvas storage boxes with zip detailing keep dust away and preserve your pieces, ready for use next year. Smaller canvas boxes can hold sandals and bags no longer needed for the winter months.
Touchy-feely textures
There’s nothing better this time of year than getting the home cosy with sumptuous and tactile textiles. Swap out your bold and bright designs for rich, autumnal tones. Bring out your cushions and throws – velvets, faux furs and soft chunky corduroy help create the comfy, warm atmosphere we’ve long been lusting after. For the chillier nights, elevate your bedroom with a plush quilt.
Soft lighting
As the evenings get darker earlier, we’ll be reaching for that light switch more often. Move away from harsh overhead lighting by adding softer, ambient light diffused through cotton lamp shades and glowing lanterns. Alternatively, try the Kone lamp which emits delicate patterns with its elegant cutout design – an ideal solution for lighting up small nooks.
And for little ones, get them excited about bedtime routines again with this gorgeous balloon pendant – they’ll love seeing it lit up during story time.
Appeal to the senses
Set the atmosphere by introducing a seasonal scent with a diffuser or candles. Nothing says autumn more than a cinnamon-spiced aroma. We’ll be getting out and about less, so filling the home with greenery keeps us close to nature. These vibrant plant pots will add an instant pop of colour to any home.
Warming recipes
Soups, stews, roasts – bring on the comfort of slow-cooked food. We’ll be reaching for our cookbooks once again and researching our favourite warming recipes. Get ahead of the game by batch cooking or preparing freezer bags of ingredients to toss into the slow cooker on busy days. Sitting down as a family to a warming meal at the end of a long day is a great way to touch base and feel connected.
For more inspiration and to explore our autumn/winter collections, visit us in-store or browse our website. We look forward to helping you get ready for the season!
