House Exterior In Early Autumn

3 Ways To Get Your Home Ready For Autumn

September is finally here, and the official first day of fall is just a few weeks away! Now is the time to start getting your home ready for changing leaves, cooler temperatures, and all things autumn! So grab your Pumpkin Spice Latte, pull a stool up to your kitchen island, and read on for some smart tips.

 

Homeowner Caulking WindowsInspect Inside And Out

Inside your home, check for drafts around the edges of both windows and doors, and replace seals or caulk where necessary. Remove window air conditioning units, or if you have an HVAC system, have a professional give it a once over to replace filters and check for efficiency. If you have an emergency generator, test to make sure that is working as well. If you haven’t done so already, replace the batteries in all the carbon monoxide and smoke detectors throughout your home, or at the least, test to make sure they are working properly.

 

Outside, visually inspect the roof from ground level, and the siding around the perimeter of your house. Look for loose or damaged shingles and siding, and keep an eye out for any cracks or debris. Clean your gutters before leaves start to fall, and make sure downspouts are clear and in working order. If you have a wood fireplace, stock up on firewood, and hire a professional to clean and inspect your chimney. Once the weather turns cold, you may need to turn off and cover outside faucets, and store hoses in a warm, dry location.

 

Give Landscaping A Little Love

Inspect trees for loose branches, and trim back trees and bushes where necessary. Apply lawn fertilizer to prevent damage from cold weather, and to ward off weeds that may pop up later in the spring. Discard summer annuals, and prepare your flowerpots for mums, pansies, and winter cabbage. And get those bulbs in the ground now for spring flowers!

 

If your garage or shed is overflowing with pool floats and beach chairs, try to reorganize. Move these items to the back and out of the way, and dispose of anything broken or no longer used. Next, position items like rakes for leaves, and wheelbarrows for fall planting in an easy to access location.

 

Get Holiday-Ready

Natural Grey Shaker - The RTA StoreAutumn is the start of the holiday season, and that means friends and family will be coming to call. Make sure your guest bedroom is cozy and comfortable, with lots of blankets for chilly fall evenings. Fill bathroom vanities in anticipation of overnight guests with extra towels, a hairdryer, and any necessary toiletries like shampoo, tooth paste, extra tooth brushes, and body wash in a festive autumn scent. 

In the living room, swap out summery fabrics like sheer drapes and linen throw pillows, with heavier options like velvet drapes, and faux-fur or cable-knit throw pillows. Decorate with quintessentially fall patterns like tartan plaid or buffalo check, and autumn colors like burgundy, brown, plum, gold, rust, or forest green.

 

In the dining room and kitchen, make sure there is plenty of seating around the tables and kitchen island to accommodate a large party. Have your knives sharpened, wipe down your wine glasses, and take inventory of what you have and what you need. Replenish any spices that are missing in your spice rack, stock your home bar cabinetry, and make sure you have enough table settings and serving pieces, especially if you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner. Clean kitchen cabinets and clutter from countertops, and make sure overlooked areas are attended to, such as the inside of the oven, or that crevice between your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets.

 

 

At The RTA Store we help make your dream kitchen a reality with RTA (Ready To Assemble) and Pre-Assembled kitchen cabinets, and accessories with the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call and let us make your kitchen dreams come true with the help of our free kitchen design tool!