4 min read
Although autumn is often associated with richer colors and heavier textures, there’s something to be said for lightening up your spaces before bringing in more substantial decor items. It’s also a good idea to swap out and declutter as the lazy days of summer end and hectic fall schedules resume.
“Fall is the beginning of the busiest seasons of the year,” observes Ashley Gallion, designer and owner of Ashley Ayer Interiors. “It is important to declutter spaces that are no longer serving a purpose and have become overly busy, like cabinet spaces, shelving, and counter space. This gives you a clean palette to begin the changing seasons with.”
Grace Brackman, founder and interior designer at Grace Brackman Design, believes that a refresh will benefit visuals. “I think that changing of the seasons inspires all of us to do a little switch-up, both on the inside and outsides of our homes. This is not only for aesthetic purposes, but for functional reasons as well,” she says. “In my opinion, when it gets darker earlier and you feel a chill in the air, that’s your cue to think about updating your home for the fall season ahead.”
And Gallion believes that an autumnal cleanse is just as essential as spring cleaning, saying, “You need the restart to reduce stress, make room for seasonal decor, and overall, create a sense of calm.”
With all of these benefits in mind, get ready to donate items or swap and store certain pieces in the name of the changing seasons. Here are the six things designers want you to get rid of before fall.
Worn Outdoor Pillows and Cushions
Kate Marshall of Kate Ives Design points out that by the end of summer, outdoor cushions and pillows can definitely start looking a little tired.
“If they’re faded, stained, or have lost their shape, I’d get rid of them rather than store them all winter,” she says. “It’s always nice to start fresh in the spring, and there have been so many great outdoor fabrics coming out.”
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Shabby Lampshades
As indoor lighting becomes more important in the fall and winter months, it can be worth taking another look at your lampshades. Interior designer Heather French says that while lampshades can seem like a small thing, switching them out for new ones can make an enormous difference.
“Get rid of lampshades that are yellowed, cracked, dented, dusty, or that never really fit the lamp in the first place,” she advises. “As the days get shorter, we use our lamps so much more, and suddenly you notice them again. A beautiful new shade can completely transform a lamp and make the whole room feel fresher and warmer.”
Pooky 18-Inch Straight Empire Shade
Pooky 18-Inch Straight Empire ShadeOld Candles
Interior designer Phillip Thomas says that while he tends to hold on to candles during the high season of summer entertaining just in case he needs them in a pinch, he finds that he doesn’t use all of them as much as he anticipates.
“Take stock of what you have and get rid of the partially used candles and the empty votives,” he says. “They are only taking space in your pantry.”
Go ahead and swap out your lighter summer fragrances for some cozy fall candles, too.
Lafco Pumpkin Seed & Sandalwood Candle
Lafco Pumpkin Seed & Sandalwood CandleRarely Used Appliances
When you’re busily preparing school lunches in the morning or grabbing a pre-work breakfast, the last thing you’ll want to deal with is extra stuff on your kitchen countertops. That’s why Gallion recommends stashing “unused gadgets or appliances that can be removed or tucked away.” This might include the popcorn maker you only use for movie nights or the waffle maker that’s reserved for Sunday mornings.
Summer Area Rugs
Thomas says that during his spring refresh, he substitutes heavier wool rugs for lighter, more natural rugs in cotton and sisal for the summer, but these rugs do have an expiration date.
“While lovely, these types of rugs are hard to maintain and keep clean,” he says. “I personally understand that the shelf life of these carpet types is low. If they are tired and dirty, best to let go and start looking forward to new alternatives for the next season.”
Ernesta Hand-Knotted Wool Rug
Ernesta Hand-Knotted Wool RugCertain Linens
“Swap out your cotton throws for options that are more cozy and comfortable,” Brackman says. “A simple wool or cashmere blanket is a great accessory for your living room, not only to style on a sofa or armchair, but is the perfect solution for nights that you want to cozy up and watch TV.”
This is something that interior designer Laurin White agrees with, saying that she swaps out gauzy, airy throw blankets for alpaca ones. This is also your chance to throw out some linens altogether and to freshen up your bedding. Marshall calls a fall cleanout a “good excuse” to get rid of sheets, blankets, and throws that are worn or need an update.
Reversible Alpaca Throw Blanket Handwoven From Ecuador
Reversible Alpaca Throw Blanket Handwoven From EcuadorSad Houseplants
French says, “By the end of summer, I think it’s okay to be a little ruthless with houseplants. If you have been nursing a sad plant for months and it is clearly not coming back, you can let it go.”
She adds, “A struggling plant doesn’t make a room feel more alive. And if you have a healthy plant that has been sitting in its plastic nursery pot forever, fall is a great excuse to finally give it a beautiful pot or basket. Plants should add life to a room, not become another thing you feel guilty about.”
Hopewind Plants Shop Lemon Lime Prayer Plant
Hopewind Plants Shop Lemon Lime Prayer PlantWell-Loved Towels
Thomas says that you may use an abundance of towels throughout the summer—especially by the pool, beach, lake, or while entertaining. That’s why he recommends taking an inventory of your towels, including bath and beach towels, and getting rid of the ones that have seen better days.
“They won’t look better in the spring when you pull them out to get ready for the summer,” he says.
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