The frolicking of spring and summer tends to come to a stop when autumn rolls in. 

But who doesn’t love fall?

With the chill comes long walks in the golds and oranges of shade trees and quiet, cozy nights by the fireplace.

While you’re looking forward to this splendor, you should also get your house ready for the season. The last thing you want is for the cold months to catch you off guard when they settle in.

When you’re getting your apartment ready for fall, you want it to be as visually appealing as it is functional. We’ve got you covered on that with these incredible decorating ideas to get you prepared for the season.

1. Replace The Curtains

While sheer curtains are excellent in summer, they are ill-equipped for fall. As the outside gets colder, you’re going to want to keep the inside warm at all times. After all, the chill is going to turn into frost soon enough.

It’s time to bid adieu to your soft summer curtains. Switch them out with heavy drapes. 

Your space may not feel light and airy anymore, but that’s the point, right? 

It’s time for that cozy, closed-in feeling.

Remember, the heavier your drapes are, the better they will keep the cold winds at bay.

2. Get Your Home Smelling Like Fall

One of the most distinct and beautiful features of fall is how the season smells. Plants returning to the soil give off a unique earthy scent.

The air in fall is full of fragrances, and people seem to have different experiences about them.

So, what does fall smell like to you?

Some would say like dry leaves, or spices, or apples. Whichever scents feel typical of autumn to you, it’s time to bring the feeling back into your home.

If you love the smell of certain leaves, gather some and put them in your dry flower pots. You can also get artificial fragrances through candles and sprays.

3. Bring in Faux Fur

Faux fur makes for beautiful accents at any time of the year, but even more so in autumn. The stunning cozy look is what you need as you settle in for the cold season.

Think in terms of texture in your space and identify where you could best use faux fur to add more richness to the overall look.

Remember, faux fur is excellent for making a space look elegant, comfortable, neat, warm, and inviting. When you know the feeling you’re after, it’s easier to play around with different item options, from faux fur throws and pillows to area rugs.

4. Clean Out The Fireplace

The fireplace is an integral part of fall. While neglected during the hot months, we tend to re-establish a relationship with our fireplaces when the chill swoops in. 

Besides, who doesn’t love hanging out with the family by the crackling flames? (Especially when the weather is being nasty!)

Now is the best time to inspect your life-giving fireplace before you need to use it. The last thing you want is to notice damages at the last minute. So, get your fireplace cleaned and the firebox repaired if need be. 

For a stunning makeover, consider new paintwork. You can repaint both the firebox and surrounding walls for a fresh new look.

Speaking of the fireplace, don’t forget the mantel. It’s one of the most eye-catching spots when decorated.

5. Layer The Lighting

When fall kicks in, there isn’t much natural light you can depend on. It’s common for households to turn on more lights throughout the next six months.

Now, you can be the person who tolerates the bright glare all day, every day for months. Or you can do something about your lighting.

We all have our own ideas of what fall lighting should look like. Most people would agree it should be soothing, neither too bright nor too dim, but just right.

You might want to install dimmer switches or get candles, string lights, or lamps for your accent lighting.

6. Dress Up The Windows

Just because it’s fall, it doesn’t mean the flowers have all gone away. On the contrary, there are lots of flowers that bloom in autumn.

As you’re getting your apartment ready, start looking into window decorations. You’re going to be spending a lot of time indoors; you don’t want your window sills looking drab and empty.

It’s time to dress up your windows.

Fancy pumpkins and autumn leaves are typical window decorations for the season. But, don’t leave out fresh flowers. Get a basket or a pot or a trough planter and start working on your blooms.

Some autumn flowers that’d look lovely on windows include:

• Chrysanthemums (“mums” the word!)
• Croton
• Aster
• Black-eyed Susans
• Dahlia
• Calla lilies
• Succulents

7. Create a Fall Centerpiece

Season-specific centerpieces are popular, especially for autumn and winter. Come up with a DIY centerpiece to spruce up your living room.

The best part is you don’t have to buy anything — nature has all the materials you need. You just have to get creative to come up with DIY table centerpieces. 

Go outdoors and collect what you can. You can use things like pumpkins, twigs, gourds, and fall leaves to make a beautiful centerpiece for your table even before Thanksgiving. You can also add a bulk lace table runners to bring just the right elegance and sophistication to your surroundings.

If you’re looking for a bit of inspiration to get you started, Pinterest offers plenty of ideas.

Conclusion

To sum things up, when getting your apartment ready for fall, it’s essential to first knock the cleaning out of the way. Try to clean the floors and wash the rugs before it gets too cold out!

With everything tidy, you can go ahead and swap out what decor needs switching and keep what feels right for the season.

The best part is always the actual decorations. It’s less tiring and more fun as you get into the swing of things. And with the ideas we’ve shared, you can make your home look both comfortable and appealing.

Author Bio

Ascend Five Points South offers luxury student housing near the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Learn more about their student apartments today!