Your Ultimate Fall Checklist for Your Home

It’s September, which means fall has arrived. When we think of fall, we automatically go to the rich and vibrant leaves that change as the air becomes cooler. We think of pumpkins, some spooky and some cute and inviting, but most importantly we think of the cozy days spent inside. Nothing’s better than sitting in the comfort of your home after spending hours raking up leaves or going for a hike. Since you’ll be spending more time inside, you need to make sure your home is cozy, inviting, and pleasing to eye. Here is your ultimate fall checklist for your home.

Earthy, Nature-Inspired Colors

Designers are turning away from traditional fall colors and choosing other nature-inspired hues, such as deep greens, blues, and browns. These colors may not be traditional, but when used in deeper shades with warm undertones, they feel more than appropriate for the season. Incorporate these colors in throw pillows, area rugs, and fall décor around the home for an instant fall refresh.

Entertaining Spaces

After over a year of quarantine, many of us are looking forward to welcoming our friends and family back into our homes. That means entertainment spaces like the kitchen, dining room, and living spaces will major focal points this fall. You want your guests to have an overall good experience while in your home. Appeal to all the five senses by using plush furnishings and décor as well as candles or essential oil diffusers. Scent can bring a level of coziness into a space you never thought possible!

Cozy Sanctuaries

More and more people have realized the importance of having a home that allows you to cozy up and to feel like you can separate yourself from the craziness of the rest of the world. Pick a special nook in your home. Turn a window seat into the perfect spot for morning coffee with a plaid throw and some cozy pillows or place an armchair in a warm corner to create a reading nook. Add an occasional table, a small lamp, and some treasured accessories, like a framed family photo, and suddenly you have your new favorite personal hang-out spot.

Layer Textural Fabrics

Layering is all the rage this year. Layer chunky, knit blankets and decorative pillows with velvets and other rich, textured fabrics. You can also experiment with boucle, faux fur, and cashmere. The goal is to create eye-catching depth and a pleasing feel to all your furnishings.

Indoor Fall Décor

Candles bring fall indoors while staying warm and comfy. Macrame offers a bohemian look that’s natural and classic. From decorating walls and furniture, macrame is a blast from the past that’s versatile and pleasing to the eye. Basket and tray wall décor adds a unique twist to the gallery wall trend.

Outdoor Décor

Create a unique and eye-catching space by using some creativity to give your front porch or front step a facelift. Lanterns gives a traditional look and adds warmth. A fall-themed garland looks darling draped over your front porch railing or door, and don’t forget pumpkins! Choose gourds in all different shapes, sizes, and colors to create a personal pumpkin patch. Add deep greens and blues to your décor to add a richness that is to die for.

Vintage Décor

The pandemic helped us realize that our homes not only need to be functional, but more personal as well. We find comfort in the things we know. The means bringing a blast from the past into your living space. That means using things like your grandma’s china. Worried about feeling too old? Don’t worry. According to designer Killy Scheer when interviewed by Purewow, “antique furnishings mixed with more contemporary pieces and a little whimsy go a long way to keep the look from getting too referential.”

Partitions & Room Dividers

Rooms that had been for guests only have now been transformed into homework/workstations. The need for privacy and solitude has become paramount in our homes, but the need to feel connected to the rest of the home is still there. As a result, we’re seeing a resurgence of midcentury modern room dividers that allows for the kind of privacy people are looking for. There’s a push for some separation while maintaining sightlines to adjacent rooms. Partition screens or serving counters can act as a definition between the kitchen and living space.

Kitchencore

This is a whimsical mix of cottagecore and cabincore. The mix of rustic, English countryside décor with the free spirited cottagecore feel has created kitchencore. Kitchens are still the hub of the house, but gone are the days of sterile, white countertops and cabinets. Dark palettes, stained woods, stone countertops, and statement fixtures and hardware are not only more fashionable, but they’re more durable too! Natural material—cabinets with visible wood grain, interesting countertops, faucets that blend into the counters and other finishes, rather than stand-out features—will be huge.

 Bring The Outdoors In

We’re not talking about plants here, people! While plants are great, you don’t need a ton of them to bring an outdoor feel into your living space. Switch to natural fibers in furnishings like rattan, cane, wicker, and wood. Use fabrics like wool, linen, and cotton and maximize natural light. One trend that’s on the up-and-up is chinoiserie. Chinoiserie is a European interpretation of Asian decorative arts that include floral motifs and nature-inspired scenes. It can be seen in a variety of mediums like wallpaper and ceramics. If this seems overwhelming, don’t worry. The only thing you need to remember is to focus on furnishings, textures, and patterns.

The Massey Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties

The Massey Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties is here for you. From finding you the perfect home to giving you the perfect tips and tricks to help you create a space that’s unique to you, we ensure that our clients are given everything they need to make the home buying/owning process enjoyable.

Looking for your next home? Check out our listings here.  Have any questions or wish to contact The Massey Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties? Call one of these two phone numbers to get in touch with a team member: (618)791-5024 & (618)791-9298

How to Organize Your Closets Like a Pro

Take a moment to consider the look of your closet. Are clothes packed together on hangers? Are there piles of shoes on the floor? When you plan an outfit for the day, is it challenging to find items you want to wear? And lastly, are you frustrated that your closet contains clothes that no longer fit or are out of style? An organized closet takes out the clutter, guesswork and frustration in life. Improve your productivity and mental health with our tips on how to organize your closets like a pro.

Empty Out Your Closet

The first step to organizing your closet is to pull everything out. By doing so, you can see what you have and how much you can let go of. Maybe you’ll even find a long-lost item! The closet is much easier to dust and vacuum when it’s empty, so now’s the perfect time. 

Sort Items Into Piles

Sorting through a mountain of clothes on your bed is overwhelming and ineffective. Instead, group items by category, like long-sleeve shirts and cardigans, and work through one pile at a time. Hold up each item and think about if this is truly your style, if it fits well, and goes with other pieces you own. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and keep what sparks joy for you. Place these into the keep pile, and for all other items, place them into piles to be tossed or donated.

Invest in New Hangers

While it can be tempting to buy whichever hangers are the cheapest, mismatched hangers can make your closet look messy and disorganized. When hangers are the same, clothes sit at the same height. Slim, non-slip hangers create extra space and keep clothes from sliding onto the floor. Depending on the garment, pant hangers, padded hangers, and wooden hangers can also come in handy.

Reorganize Your Closet Space

Now that you know what clothing items you want to keep, it’s time to place them in the closet. That doesn’t necessarily mean they should go in the same spot. Maximize the space you have to keep it clutter-free. Wall shelves, stacking drawers, and an over-the-door system are customizable alternatives to holding accessories like shoes, hats, and bags.

Store Sweaters Folded

Sweaters often have a delicate knit and can be thick and heavy. Hanging this type of sweater can cause them to stretch out and lose their shape, especially at the shoulder. It’s best to store them folded. Sweaters that are lightweight and tight-knit are safe to hang on padded hangers!

Put Away Seasonal Items

A great way to free up some closet space is by storing seasonal items in a different location. Put them in clear storage boxes to easily see what’s inside, and then move the boxes to another room, like the attic or basement. Or use under-the-bed storage solutions. Think of bed risers and zippered storage containers or stylish wheeled drawers. If you have the closet space, store clothes by season with the current season at the front.

Use a System That Works for You

There are different ways to organize clothes. The most typical is by clothing type where shirts go together, then pants, and so on. Another method is to hang up clothing items by function. Group the pieces you wear to the office, everyday pieces, and gym clothes. Organizing your clothes in order allows for easy access. Life becomes more stress-free when you have what you use most within reach and organized to best fit your needs.

Reach Out to The Massey Team

If you’re looking for a new home, staying organized is a great way to showcase your house and get ready for the big move. With over 45 years of experience, The Massey Team at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties makes the process of buying or selling your home as stress-free as possible! Give us a call at either (618) 791-5024 or (618) 791-9298 and learn more today.