Fall Home Preparation: Our Top 5 Tips

Kyle Henry • October 12, 2023

Fall is here, and winter is coming. Get your home ready for both.

Fall is a beautiful time of year, with its crisp air, changing leaves, and cozy vibes. But before you can fully enjoy the season, it's important to get your home ready. Here are five tips to help you with your fall home preparation.


Stage your home with trending fall colors and decor.


Fall is a great time to give your home a fresh new look. Here are a few trending design ideas to incorporate into your fall staging and decorating.


If you're thinking of painting or even about decor, start first with trending fall colors this year.

  • Warm neutrals: Cream, beige, and tan are all classic fall hues that can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
  • Rich jewel tones: Emerald green, sapphire blue, and ruby red add a touch of drama and elegance to fall décor.
  • Metallic accents: Gold, copper, and bronze add a touch of glamour and sophistication.
  • Natural materials: Wood, stone, and wicker all help to create a warm and earthy feel.



When staging your home, try adding a few simple accents to each room.

  • Place a pumpkin or gourd on your coffee table or mantel.
  • Hang a fall wreath on your front door.
  • Add a few throw pillows in autumnal hues to your sofa.
  • Display a vase of fall foliage on your dining table.
  • Set the mood with fall-scented candles or diffusers.



Here are some additional tips for staging your home for fall:

  • Mix and match textures. Layering different textures in your decor can add interest and depth to your space. For example, you could pair a soft throw blanket with a chunky knit pillow, or a metallic vase with a rustic wooden tray.
  • Use natural materials. Natural materials like wood, stone, and wicker can help to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Try incorporating these materials into your fall decor through furniture, accessories, and accents.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to fall decorating. Have fun and experiment with different colors, textures, and styles to create a look that you love.



Get your home ready for guests.


If you're planning on hosting any guests in the fall, it's important to make sure your home is ready for them. Here are a few things you can do:

  • Clean and declutter your guest room. Make sure the bed is made, the towels are fresh, and there's plenty of space for your guests' belongings.
  • Stock up on snacks and drinks. Your guests will appreciate having something to eat and drink when they arrive. Consider stocking up on non-perishable items, such as nuts, granola bars, bottled water, and juice.
  • Create a welcoming atmosphere. Add a few personal touches to your guest room, such as a vase of flowers, a handwritten note, or a basket of toiletries.


Here are some additional tips for getting your home ready for guests:

  • Provide extra blankets and pillows. Your guests may want to adjust the temperature in the guest room to their liking, so it's a good idea to provide extra blankets and pillows so they can stay comfortable.
  • Make sure the guest bathroom is stocked. In addition to towels, toilet paper, and soap, you may want to provide your guests with other items like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and toothbrushes.
  • Give your guests a tour of your home. When your guests arrive, take a few minutes to give them a tour of your home and show them where the important things are, such as the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room.


Get your living spaces spic and span


Most people do a big spring cleaning, but fall is a great time to give your home a deep clean before the long, slow winter. The areas to focus on that will help feel your home refreshed would be:

  • Carpets and rugs: Vacuum and shampoo your carpets and rugs to remove dirt, dust, and allergens, and freshen the smell of your home.
  • Upholstery: Clean your upholstered furniture to remove stains and odors. You can either do this yourself with rental machines if you don't own your own, or hire a professional upholstery cleaner. If you hire a professional, make sure to ask about how they clean, if it's mostly with steam or if there are chemicals being used.
  • Windows: Wash your windows inside and out to let in more natural light and give you clear views of the changing scenery.
  • Linens: If you have had linens packed away, now is a great time to pull them out and give them a wash so they're fresh and ready to use.


Don't neglect cleaning out your closets, pantry, and refrigerator while you're at it. Get rid of anything you don't use or no longer.


  • Start by decluttering. Go room by room, starting in the farthest room of your home and working your way towards your front door or garage. This will also make it easier to clean each room thoroughly.
  • Work from top to bottom. Dust the ceiling fans and light fixtures first, then work your way down to baseboards and floors.
  • Don't forget the details. Be sure to clean small appliances, cabinets, and drawers. One of the spots you may often forget to clean in your regular cleaning are walls below light switches and door casings near the door knobs.
  • Use the right cleaning products. Make sure to use cleaning products that are appropriate for the surfaces you're cleaning. We also recommend using EWG to find the safest cleaning products to use in your home.



Make sure your landscaping is looking its best.


Before the cold weather sets in, it's important to give your lawn a little TLC. Here are a few things you should do:

  • Rake up leaves. Fallen leaves can smother your lawn and prevent it from getting enough sunlight.
  • Aerate your lawn. Aeration helps to improve drainage and reduce soil compaction.
  • Fertilize your lawn. Fertilizing your lawn will help it to stay healthy throughout the winter.
  • Trim any tree branches that are close to your home. This will help to prevent damage to your home in the event of a winter storm.
  • Don't do any major cut backs just yet. It's still early in the season, and that is best saved for late fall or early winter.




Get a jumpstart your home’s winter maintenance.


There are a few things you can do to get your home ready for winter, such as:

  • Clean your gutters. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage, so it's important to clean them out before the winter rains start.
  • Seal your windows and doors. Drafts can make your home cold and inefficient, so it's important to seal any gaps around your windows and doors.
  • Inspect your roof. From the exterior, make sure your roof materials is in good condition and there is no debris collecting on the roof lines. Inside your attic, check to make sure there are no stains that could indicate leaks.
  • Insulate your attic. A well-insulated attic will help to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It's easy to have insulation added to your attic space.
  • Check your outdoor faucets and sprinkler system. You'll want to make sure they're in good working order and there are no leaks or cracked lines to prevent damage during the winter months or a messy spring.


Do you need reputable resources?

We maintain a carefully curated roster of expert resources provide our clients with anything they might need, from gutter cleaning and home inspectors to professional who can assist with adding insulation to your attic insulation and handymen to help you get the rest done.


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Sources: Special thanks to Hgtv, Ruffled, Diy, Frugal, The Gracious Wife, Squeegee Squad HQ, Micheala Diane Designs, Amazon.com, Daly Digs, Busa Designs, Me & Mr. Jones, BuzzFeed, Etsy, Wilshire Collections, and Angelina for images.


The Caroline K. Huo Group is not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the above sources. All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

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650.727.1308

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