Six simple ways to invite fall into your home

I love when my home feels warm and inviting on crisp autumn evenings but I don’t love spending a ton of time decorating to get that cozy atmosphere. I’m guessing that maybe you feel the same way.

That’s why I’m sharing how to maximize the impact with minimal effort:

1) Keep things tidy.

All of the most adorable decorations in the world won’t feel cozy and inviting if they’re surrounded by clutter. It’s generally better to spend your time tidying up and just put a few decorations out here-and-there than it is to have a ton of items that are partially buried under piles of stuff.

2) Make your table a focal point.

A few pretty place mats or a tablecloth along with an autumn centerpiece can go a long way in making the entire kitchen or dining room feel cozy!

3) Bring the outdoors in.

• Display garden produce.
  Whether you buy a squash at the store or a friend gives you a zucchini from her garden, use those items as decorations until you cook with them!
• Decorate with leaves, sticks, and pinecones.
  Grab a clear vase and put a few things like pinecones, leaves, acorns, and sticks inside it to display! Better yet, if you have young children at home then put an empty vase or jar on your coffee table and let your kids fill it with the outdoor treasures they find.

4) Hang your kids’ artwork.

When your kids make some sort of fall decoration (or even if they just color a pumpkin picture), frame or laminate their work then hang it up! If you don’t have extra frames or a laminator, then simply use tape or sticky tac and tape their masterpiece directly on your wall!

5) Focus on scent.

• Light a candle.
  Nothing says autumn like a warmly scented candle! It takes two seconds to light and makes a huge difference in the feel of the room!
• Use your crock pot.
  Sure, you can make chili or spaghetti sauce on the stove. But if you put the same ingredients in the crock pot in the morning, your house will smell amazing all day long!
• Bake something.
  Whether you make muffins from scratch or use prepackaged cookie dough, putting something sweet in the oven will invite everyone to gather around and enjoy the warm coziness together.

6) Serve a warm beverage.

Even if you don’t do anything else on this list, heating up water or milk for hot chocolate or hot tea can help make everyone in your home feel relaxed and welcome, including yourself! So after a long day, dim the lights, pass around the hot beverages, and prop your feet up for a few minutes as you take a few minutes to relax and unwind.

What’s your favorite simple way to make your home feel warm and inviting in the fall?