I find each season brings its own decorating challenges and rewards. In Autumn, I tend to focus on two things; making our house cozy and finding a place for all those items we didn’t need in the summer months. I’m talking about the umbrellas, coats, boots and school bags -- the stuff that threatens to take over a family home with onset of Fall. Getting organized now will only make you better prepared for the winter months ahead, when the hallway clutter is at its worst. Below are five ways I transition our house from summer to the cooler months of Fall.
Get Organized
Martha Stewart
While many of us would love to spend the Fall months huddled inside under a blanket, the reality is that at some point we all need to go outside. And that means good, Canadian reinforcement: coats, umbrellas, boots, scarves and hats. It’s a big change from summertime when the whole family seemed to get by with only a pair of flip-flops. Stay on top of the clutter by finding a place for everything you use. Hooks at different heights that kiddies can reach help reinforce tidiness at every age and give an artful look to hanging hallway regulars such as dog leashes and bags. Place galvanized metal trays or large baking sheets lined with rocks on the floor for wet boots, and use baskets and containers to collect hats, gloves and mail.
Make an Entrance
Better Homes and Gardens; The Inspired Room
This Fall, greet your guests and Halloween revelers with an updated front door. Whether you decide to accessorize with a seasonal wreath or paint your door an eye-catching colour, putting a little focus on your entryway can make a huge difference in curb appeal. It’s a simple, inexpensive weekend project that can transform your home.
Bring the Outdoors In
Better Homes and Gardens; Design Sponge
There’s nothing quite like an Autumn walk with coffee in hand and the crunch of leaves at your feet. One of my favourite decorating tricks is to bring a little bit of the outdoors inside. On your next stroll, see what interesting branches you can find (I love finding ones with buds or seed pods still attached) and try them in a large glass vase or simply pinned to the wall. Branches instantly add drama and texture to any room and make a great Fall statement. And they last forever!
Put a Throw On It (Birds are Out)
William Waldron
If your idea of a perfect Fall day is to curl up with a good book, a cup of tea and a warm blanket then you’re not alone. Pull some of your quilts or throws our of your linen closet and layer them on sofas and chairs. It’s one of the easiest ways to add seasonal colour and get that cozy feeling.
Stack It Up
Remodelista; Convoy
Speaking of books, what better way to display them than out in the open? Texture and layering are the basics of 'cozy' and adding a mass of books or magazines to a room gives it that lived-in, romantically holed-up (like Withnail & I) look. I tend to stack piles of books all over our house: on coffee tables, beside chairs, around the fireplace and on the floor. It creates an instant mood and invites you to linger for awhile...
Emma Reddington is the lifestyle maven behind the acclaimed blog, TheMarionHouseBook.com, where she experiments with interior design, cooking, baking and do-it-yourself projects.
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