Welcoming Fall: 3 Tips to Refresh Your Space as the Seasons Transition

Fall is a time of transition -- the weather goes from hot and hazy to cool and crisp. Families with children are typically now in full swing with busy school and activity schedules. Even the trees show change with the colors of leaves going from green to various shades of red, orange, yellow and brown. There is something cozy and comforting about Fall. I welcome the season and the traditions that my family and I have adopted over the last few years, including visits to the pumpkin patch, decorating our doorstep with various pumpkins of all shapes, sizes and colors, and, of course, planning out our Halloween costumes. Summertime is synonymous with travel and spending more time outdoors, so home-related tasks may be less of a priority during the summer months.

As I reflect on the change of seasons, I feel that now is the perfect time to declutter and refresh your home. Whether you are hosting gatherings or just wanting to decorate your home with seasonal items, decluttering now is essential in the process of transitioning into the holiday season. Also, if you practice gift-giving, then you know exactly how easy it can be for the items in your home to seemingly multiply overnight. When January arrives, you'll be stuck with more stuff and will have no choice but to fall back on the same New Year's resolution of getting your home in order. Wouldn't it be nice to focus on a different resolution next year?

Because I want you to be successful in your tidying journey (no matter the time of year), here are a few tips to help you start decluttering and refreshing your home in preparation for the upcoming fall and winter seasons:

1. Consider your wardrobe. It is time to store away your summer items and consider your look for fall. If there is anything from the summertime that you can't envision yourself wearing again the following year, that might be a sign to toss, donate or sell it. Some people adopt capsule wardrobes based on the season, so if this appeals to you, then give it a try for the Fall.

2. Take inventory before you shop. If you love to decorate for the harvest season or Halloween, be sure to go through the items you already have before buying more decor. This will prevent you from buying duplicates, will allow you to account for storage space once the season is over and will help you be more intentional about your purchases. Shop at home (first) and save!

3. Cleaning doesn't have to be reserved for the Springtime. Try Fall cleaning! Now is a great time to tackle a few deep cleaning tasks, but to also evaluate your current storage systems to determine how well they are working or if they need a refresh. As always, it is best to tidy up first, then focus on storage solutions. So, before you shop for another storage bin, box or container, make space by letting go of what no longer sparks joy to make room for something new this season.

If you're feeling stuck and want to get a head start of the upcoming holiday season, you may want to think about working with a professional organizer who can help you stay on track and reach your ultimate tidying goals. Find a professional organizer in your area here: Hire a Consultant – KonMari | The Official Website of Marie Kondo

Cheers to Fall!