Practical Tips To Get Your Home Autumn-Ready

Cold mornings. Damp leaves. Radiators that haven’t been touched since March. Autumn is here, and now’s the time to get your home ready for it. In this guide, Millie shares simple, practical tips to make your home warmer, tidier, and more liveable through the colder months. Think: draught-proofing, fireplace styling, and how to finally win the battle of the boots by the door.

Autumn is the time to get your home sorted before the cold kicks in. That means prepping for darker evenings, cooler mornings, and more time spent indoors. I’ve worked in interiors for years, and every autumn I come back to the same reliable, low-effort changes that genuinely make a difference.

Here’s what’s on my list this year, and what should probably be on yours too.

Check your heating before it’s freezing

A boiler breakdown in November is no one’s idea of fun. Bleed your radiators, run a quick test to check everything’s heating evenly, and if it’s been more than a year, book a boiler service.

It’s not exciting, but these 10-minute jobs save hours of stress later and help keep your bills from creeping up.

Clear your gutters while it’s still dry

Leaves, moss, and debris build up fast, especially if you’ve got trees nearby. Clearing your gutters means rainwater flows where it’s supposed to, instead of dripping into cavity walls or pooling around the foundations.

If you’re not up for doing it yourself, hire someone local. It’s still cheaper than paying for damp treatment in six months.

Draught-proof the usual suspects

I live in an older house and I love the sash windows, but they leak cold air like you wouldn’t believe. Draught-proofing doesn’t have to be complicated. Brush strips on doors, secondary glazing film, and heavy curtains in the right spots go a long way.

You’re not trying to seal the house airtight, just reduce the chill so the place feels more liveable.

Stop the coat-and-boot chaos

Autumn is when clutter gathers by the front door. Coats on chairs, wet boots on the floor, bags dumped on radiators. I use a bench with baskets underneath or just a row of sturdy hooks to keep things organised.

It’s one of those small fixes that makes the whole house feel calmer.

Reset your home with a deep clean

The seasons change, and so does how you use your space. I always do a full clean just before the clocks change. Vacuum behind furniture, dust shelves, freshen up soft furnishings, and swap out candles or scent diffusers for something seasonal. I go for cinnamon and clove.

It’s not about spotless perfection. It’s about starting the season with a clean slate.

Make the fireplace earn its spot

If you’ve got a fireplace, even if it’s just decorative, give it some attention. Book a chimney sweep if it’s in use. Otherwise, style it with stacked logs, candles, or lanterns. It instantly becomes a warmer, more inviting part of the room.

Make the most of the garden

Just because it’s colder doesn’t mean you have to retreat indoors completely. I keep a fire pit, some weatherproof cushions, and a few blankets by the back door. Add a mug of something hot and a few lights, and you’ve got a few extra weeks of outdoor living.

Autumn air is underrated.

‍