Fall Dust Off and Clean Up: Make changes to create a cozier home for the colder days ahead

Most homeowners think of putting away heavy clothing, bedcovers, and sometimes even curtains in the Spring. We often overlook Fall as an equally important time to reassess clothing and furnishings choices that clutter our rooms and closets. But it’s also a good time to consider spending more time at home as the temperature starts to drop and leaves have almost all fallen. This might be a propitious time to tackle some small changes to make your home or apartment cozier for colder days ahead. This is a practice known as hygge (pronounced hue-guh) in Danish. Or you might take on a project you’ve put off because of the inviting summer and early fall weather outdoors. You’re probably now spending more time inside.

Add our 12 ideas to your own to-do list, which we’ve culled for their relative affordability. A few are even free. They will add sparkle and fun to your surroundings as you hunker down for winter, and who can argue with that! All are also good ideas to pursue now that Thanksgiving is past and before we get crazy with prep for Hanukkah, Christmas and the New Year!

1. Purchase placemats and coordinating cloth napkins. It’s an easy way to change up a tablescape without buying a new table or chairs. And though you’ll have to wipe off the placemats and periodically launder the napkins, they’re nicer to use than disposable paper napkins that consume space in garbage cans and eventually landfills.

2. Add a new plant (or two or three) since any living object in an indoor setting does more by helping to purify the air. Plants absorb pollutants via their leaves, convert carbon dioxide into oxygen and its root systems breaks down contaminants. Place in a pretty pot or jardinière near a window to make the plant happier and live longer. Why not name it as we know one of us likes to do?

3. Reassess how you use each room. Are chairs arranged in a living or family room to encourage conversation when a few are in the same space? Does comfy furniture face a TV, fireplace or great view? Is there a comfortable seat in a bedroom so you don’t always have to get into bed to read a paper or book, relax or knit? Do the old switch-a-roo to make rooms more functional without buying anything new.

4. Into books? They may need some rearranging. Old favorites often get lost on the shelves if you haven’t dusted or taken down any to read. Make your line-ups like a lending library. Peek again at titles you own and even consider rearranging them for months ahead by color of spine, alphabetical order of author or subject matter, the latter a favorite of one of us. And while you’re thinking about books, be sure you have a free public library card. There’s no cost to take out hard copy books, eBooks, audio books, movies and CDs.

5. Get ready for the holidays. Before you run out to shop for this and that, look at what you have, which you may have tucked away last season and forgotten, from Christmas tree ornaments to wreaths and runners or Hanukkah menorahs, dreidels and candles.

6. Add more ways to get cozy and toasty. Before you think about turning up the heat and having pricier gas or electric bills, think warmth through fresh logs for the fireplace or converting it to gas, adding a wood-burning stove, investing in Afghans and throws that you may even knit for each seating group, or purchasing some warm and cozy slippers for you and those visiting so all can leave shoes at the door.

7. Think soup, stews and chili. Fall—and then winter—call for a change in your menus. Consider heartier dishes that warm your body and bones. Do you have a cookbook with good recipes and a big pot to make them, which makes enough to freeze so you’re not cooking nightly? If not, now’s the time. We’re big fans of homemade chicken soup with or without matzoh balls from Joan Nathan, mushroom soup with lots of pearl barley, chili with accompaniments—cheddar cheese, diced onions, guacamole, Julia’s boeuf bourguignonne with tiny onions, carrots and mushrooms, Ina’s homemade tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons and butternut squash-apple cider soup, perfect for your holiday meals.

8. If you’re into wine, go for red. Now’s the time to quaff some hearty reds, earthy pinot noirs and milder Merlots. While many cut down on alcoholic consumption, moderation remains a smart way to imbibe. Also, you don’t have to spend hundreds or be a wine snob. Challenge yourself to buy what you like by hosting a wine and beer blind tasting with an array of good cheeses, breads, olives, hummus and dips.

8. Indoor play. When it’s a bit too chilly to go outdoors for fun, bring the fun indoors. Maybe a ping-pong or pool table for a bonus room or basement, which is an investment but a good one for all ages or a table where you can leave out a puzzle that you work on slowly or play any game of cards or a game of Scrabble or Monopoly. If you’re into art projects or scrapbooking, an extra surface is all you need.

9. Make a photo album. Gather up your old family photos and organize before you forget who’s in the photos, locations and dates, and/or organize your digital photos and print them out for a scrapbook from online sources like Mixbook and Shutterfly. They make great family gifts. It’s also a good time to toss duplicates and poorly shot photos.

10. Do good. This works any time of year but while indoors, go through furnishings you don’t like, old appliances never used (why did you buy that fancy blender or second toaster oven), clothing that doesn’t fit, books you never read, magazines you finished long ago and so on. Share with your local Goodwill,  church, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army. Now that Covid-19 is past, many nonprofit organizations are accepting stuff again. However, some are becoming more stringent about taking items that aren’t in good condition, so ask in advance before you lug bags of belongings.

11. Get rid of old tax records. Shred what’s no longer needed. If you live in a big city, hire a shredder to pull up to your building. Or, if you have a car or live close to a shredding place, just drive or walk, most will help unload your boxes and shred away. Watch while the records are being shredded to make sure nothing is left behind making you vulnerable to identity theft and more. You only need to keep the last three to five years or all your tax papers but keep the tax filings just in case. Some communities even offer a free shredding day periodically. On a particularly cold or stormy day, it’s a perfect opportunity to tackle this unpleasant chore. And while you’re at it, consider cleaning out all your closets. You’re on a roll.

12. Paint one wall a new color. Paint manufacturers debut new paint colors yearly what they term, “Color of the Year,” to encourage homeowners to buy paint. You needn’t change up every room—too time-consuming and pricey, we say. But how about one wall for an accent and a feeling of freshness for the months ahead? For example, this year, Pantone's "Color of the Year" is Mocha Mousse, a warm chocolate brown. Other companies have recommended alternative colors for 2025, such as Dutch Boy's Mapped Blue and Behr's Rumors, a deep red. 

Already, Sherwin-Williams and HGTV Home have selected Universal Khaki as their 2026 Color of the Year. And to save money, you might even become Painter of the Year, especially for one wall. Buy paint (try a few samples on the wall in different places and different light but use big ones rather than tiny swatches), a primer, drop cloth, scrapers, brushes, tape to mask off other walls, don an apron, look at You Tube videos and you’re set!

If you have any suggestions for an indoor fall dust off and clean up or ways to enjoy winter indoors more, feel free to share in the comments section below.