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With the changing of the seasons, it’s time to start checking off your home’s fall to-do list! Fall brings a whole new color scheme to the landscape and invites the return of the pumpkin spice lattes, sweaters, and warm fires. Make sure that your home is in keeping with the season with these fun and helpful tips for getting ready for this wonderful time of year. Whether you’re on the east coast, the west coast, or somewhere in between, it’s time to get ready for fall:

Stay on top of the leaves.

When the leaves start to fall, they can be fun, or they can be a mess. Keep track of where your sidewalk is by regularly raking and sweeping leaves off to the side. Make a game out of leaf cleanup with the whole family, and pile the leaves in jack-o-lantern bags during the month of October. Wet leaves can be a walking hazard for children (think trick-or-treaters) and adults, so keep stairs and walkways clear, particularly when it’s rainy.

Do a safety check.

It’s always a good idea to double check your smoke alarm , carbon monoxide monitors, and other safety precautions around the house. Make sure batteries are in working order, extinguishers are in date, and that fire hazards are away from the stove, fireplaces, and candles.

Bring out the fall decorations.

Now’s the time to shuffle your seasonal decorating supplies. Start packing up summery wreaths, knickknacks, and displays, and start pulling out and dusting off your autumn candles, pumpkins, and wreaths. Instead of buying several new items each season, start developing a theme in your home, and buy a few new items that you really love every year.

Do some fall cleaning.

Summer pollen, dust, and mildew has had a chance to accumulate, so try to give your home a deep clean at the beginning of every season. Dust walls, windows, floorboards, and furniture. Clean in and under refrigerators and stoves. Flip your mattress (once or twice a year) and let the cool fall air freshen up your home.

Stock up on firewood.

If you have a fireplace  or fire pit, it’s no fun to run out of firewood. Start accumulating firewood in the beginning of the season when prices are still low and keep it stacked in a dry location away from your home. Give firewood that you have split enough time to dry, and only use hardwoods for burning inside your home.

Clean outdoor furniture.

During the winter season, you may not need the patio set as often. Protect it from harsh weather by giving your seat cushions, chairs, and tables a good scrub before the weather turns cold and storing them under protectors or in a dry area for the winter season .

Go through your wardrobe.

Some people look forward to the seasonal wardrobe change, while others dread the process. Start early and go slow if it’s not your favorite activity. Sort through your summer clothes and donate or sell anything that you haven’t worn this year. Give your closet a deep clean during the process to make sure that your clothes stay fresh and dust/moth free throughout the season.

Although there are a lot of maintenance-related activities during the fall season, it’s also a great time to simply relax and enjoy the weather as it changes from warm to incrementally cooler. Take the time to sit on your porch with your family and a hot cup of cocoa, read a book by the fire, and spend time outdoors before the weather turns cold.

Make your home extra-fall friendly by making homemade cider or mulled wine before you have guests over. Scented wax burners and candles can also liven up the atmosphere with warm scents with pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and woodsy notes. Don’t forget to get your porch ready for pumpkin carving and to schedule any countryside trips for fresh-from-the-orchard apples, pumpkins, and corn mazes.

Looking for your perfect home this fall? Invitation Homes has rental homes available in an area near you!

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