Life Just Got... Cozy!

At this time of year, your new routine is most likely gaining traction. The day has a rhythm again: the kids have started school, the weather is cooling down, and football season has officially kicked off. Now is the perfect time to clear out a few essential areas of your home before your time is split by the holiday preparation that is soon to follow.

The kitchen is a fabulous place to start because it is the most popular room in the house. Go through the fridge and check the dates. Throw out the expired extras to make room for new ingredients for autumn baking (Apple cobbler? Yum!). Welcome cold weather comfort foods by stocking your pantry with essentials for soups, stews and casseroles. Maybe find a few new crockpot recipes to keep on hand especially when you would rather cheer your child on at soccer practice than have to leave early just to make dinner. Throw it in the crockpot and forget about it—best dinner plan ever!

Swap your wardrobe. The weather is cooling down a bit this month which is your cue to pull out the long sleeves. Granted it’s not snowing yet, but it wouldn’t hurt to have a few light scarves on hand to avoid digging through your closet on a chilly morning when you should be on your way to work. It also helps to glance at what you already have in storage before you buy your 14th pair of stylish gloves. Those window displays are calling, but don’t give in just yet. Get reacquainted with your existing fall wardrobe so you don’t spend unnecessarily on things you already own.

Clean out the closets. Next, clean out your storage spaces: closets, attic, storage room and guest bedroom closets. If you haven’t seen your Halloween decorations since 1996, but you know ”they’re there somewhere,” it’s time for a new strategy. Gather all your seasonal accessories and decorations into one area and sort by holiday. Once you see what you have (and want to keep/store), procure some clear bins and label accordingly. Once you designate your “seasonal” storage area, place them in chronological order, i.e., Halloween, followed by Thanksgiving. Voila—holiday decorating then becomes a pleasant family experience instead of a dreaded game of hide and seek.

Cleaning out the guest bedroom will help prime the space for hosting out-of-towners. Take inventory of the accommodations for future guests so you don’t rush to buy last-minute supplies like bedding, a space heater or towels. Locating these stored items ahead of time will also save you from buying duplicates. Remember—nothing says, “welcome” like a little gift basket of toiletries awaiting your company for any items they might have forgotten or neglected to pack. 

Taking care of these simple tasks will provide time later to focus on the immediate needs at hand. Avoid last-minute rushing and welcome in the cozy smells and tastes of autumn with an organized home.