1. Deep clean the house

We often think about giving the house a springclean but we forget that the autumn season is an ideal time for a deep clean, too. Give the windows a good clean, wipe down the skirting boards, and dust commonly forgotten areas like lampshades and the top of cupboards and shelves. Start with the living room and work your way around the house. Once you start on the kitchen, don't forget to give your oven a deep clean and clean the fridge, too.

It's a good idea to give your windows a little love, such as cleaning roman and venetian blinds. 'Ideally, you should clean your blinds once a month to get rid of any germs and dust that are lingering on the surface,' says Jason Peterkin, director at 247 Blinds. 'If you have roller blinds or Roman blinds, I suggest giving them a soft dusting and gentle vacuum once a month. Venetian or plantation shutters can have a more thorough clean, if needed.'

2. Don't forget the gutters

Autumn is a great time to clear your gutters. Checking for falling leaves and twigs will help to avoid water not being able to flow correctly. 'Gutters should be cleaned out and checked for damage each year.

If you want to keep costs down and clean them yourself, put a piece of hardboard at the bottom of the downpipe to prevent debris from getting into the gully or drain where it could cause a blockage.

Scoop out any debris with the trowel and take care to not let anything drop into the downpipe and try to avoid debris falling down the walls because it may cause stains that could be hard to remove. Remove the hardboard or rag and pour down three or four buckets of water slowly into the gutter at the furthest end of the downpipe. You could use a hosepipe to lead water there too.

We recommend doing this at the end of the autumn season, too. Gutters are likely to get clogged up with leaves, so keep an eye on them throughout the season.

3. Clean the fireplace

If you're planning on using your fireplace this autumn, line the area with newspaper and remove all loose ashes and dust with a shovel and broom. Then, use a wire brush to clean off the soot from the brick, and use baking soda and warm water on a sponge to clean the remaining soot and dust off.

4. Insulate the home

A well-insulated house can help to significantly reduce your energy bill, especially during autumn and winter. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to make your home more energy-efficient is to insulate and draught-proof your external doors.

Ensure your keyhole has a purpose-made escutcheon with a fitted cover to prevent heat loss, and install a letterbox brush if needed. Do you have gaps between the door and floor? A brush strip draught excluder will prevent heat from leaving, and the cold from coming into your home, whilst if you have gaps between the door and its frame, fill it with fit foam, a brush strip draught excluder or wiper strips.

5. Declutter and streamline your living space

Donate unwanted furniture, homeware and electrical items, plus clothes and shoes to charity, and have a good clear out of your kitchen cupboards. You can donate all your in-date but unwanted food to food banks, where those in need can make use of them. You should end up with an uncluttered, streamlined home, giving you more space to enjoy the calm, cosy surroundings that the autumn season brings.

6. Set the atmosphere with scent

Candles and diffusers create the perfect cosy setting for a relaxing night in and there's an array of different scented and non-scented varieties to choose from. Add a few dotted tea lights or go for large pillar candles for that extra cosy feeling.

'There is nothing more comforting than an autumn scent running through the air on a rainy evening. Deck your living room out with rich scents that create a cosy atmosphere. Trendy mason jar candles with scents of ginger, pumpkin pie, cinnamon, and cedar wood complete the ultimate autumn vibe,'

7. Incorporate autumnal colours

Mix subtle yellows, rich oranges and deep red tones with earthy browns – all colours associated with autumn – to create a warming, homely environment. 'Whether painting a whole room, re-upholstering a sofa or adding new accessories, utilising these colours will instantly bring the autumn indoors.'

8. Add cushions, throws and a new bedspread

There's nothing better than curling up under a throw when it's chilly outside. Adding new cushions and throws, and even chunky wool blankets to your sofa and bed, can really transform your space. Choose autumnal-themed soft furnishings or go with brighter colours to offset the drabness of outside. And instead of buying new cushions, just invest in cushion covers so you can easily switch the look at very little cost. Similarly, a new bedspread can change the look of a room and perk you up if you're tired of seeing the same sheets every night.

'One of the quickest ways to bring in that warm and cosy feeling we all long for during the cooler months, is to add layers of soft furnishings to our homes, such as throws, cushions and curtains, Layer plains and patterns carefully; when using bold patterns on upholstery it is best to keep the cushions plain or go for a plain fabric for the upholstery and experiment with a mixture of colours and patterns on scatter cushions.'

9. Add a fresh lick of paint (or transform with wallpaper)

Since we're likely to spend more time indoors during autumn and winter, it's a good idea to give your rooms a fresh lick of paint (if you haven't already done so). Whether it's your home office or bedroom, giving your walls a new lease of life, even with wallpaper, a wall mural or perhaps new artwork, will brighten the space and be more pleasing to the eye.

10. Opt for warm lighting

With longer nights, keep your lighting low to create a calm feel. Change to warmer LED bulbs and place more floor and table lights around your living room. If you have a fireplace, make this your primary light source for cold evenings. If you have a small niche in your living room, you can transform it into a snug area. Insert a small bench, cover in throws and cushions, and add a mini pendant light.

11. Buy an air-purifying houseplant

Ensure the quality of air in your home is up to scratch with new houseplants. Not only are indoor plants a trendy and decorative accessory in the home, but according to NASA’s clean air study, a number of plants are also proven to help with indoor air quality by detoxifying the atmosphere in your home.

The trendiest houseplants to improve your home's air quality during the autumn season, with philodendron topping the list. The remaining must-have plants include Aloe, Calathea, Anthurium, Sansevieria, Ficus, Snake Plant, Peace lily, ZZ plant and Chrysanthemums.

12. Refresh an unloved corner with flowers

Beautiful fresh flowers can add a summery feel to your home in autumn, but there are lots of autumnal hues available to make a real style statement. To keep in with the autumnal theme, stick to reds, burnt oranges, ochres and soft greens. And for more floral-inspired ideas, why not get an autumn wreath for your front door and an autumn garland for the mantel or sideboard.

Dried flowers, such as pampas grass and dried hydrangeas, are ideal for autumn. If you're feeling crafty, why not have a go at drying some yourself? Alternatively, you can find lots of pre-dried bunches online.

13. Create a cosy outdoor living space

There's no reason why you have to stay indoors and neglect the garden just because it's getting a little chillier outside.

The days are starting to get shorter and chiller, so picnics and alfresco dining are soon to become a distant memory. To ensure you can enjoy the great outdoors and all the seasons have to offer despite the cooler weather, I'd recommend creating a lounge area in a garden room or greenhouse.

To keep it compact opt for two armchairs and a coffee table to set the scene. A wood burner, or if you have access to electricity, an electric stove, adds warmth – in terms of both ambience and temperature! Once you’ve arranged the furniture, add some accessories – a vintage standing lamp, a basket filled with rolled blanks ready to cosy up with and some cushions to add colour to plain fabric chairs.

14. Prepare the garden

Remember, autumn is actually one of the most important seasons for gardening. First of all, mowing the lawn and trimming hedges will keep your garden looking neat. Wait until the grass has grown to a sufficient length and then trim back. Though it may need to be cut again it won't need to be done as regularly as in the summer.

Other garden jobs include cutting back perennials that have died down, dividing herbaceous perennials, making leaf mould, moving tender plants into a greenhouse or conservatory, and harvesting apples, pears, grapes and nuts. Leaves often vex gardeners so no wonder two out of five consign them to the green waste bin, but leaves make the finest soil improver as leaf mould. Making leaf mould helps the environment by eliminating the cost and carbon emissions associated with green waste collection.

15. Prioritise garden security

Keep security front of mind and ensure that trees, bushes and overgrown shrubbery are trimmed, and invest in security lighting to brighten up your garden when motion is detected. Security experts at Yale say making sure your fencing is sufficiently protecting your home is important during the autumn season, too. The harsh British weather can cause havoc with your fence panels, which can give burglars an easy route into your garden.

The Yale experts explain: 'It's important to check out your fencing ahead of the autumnal months to see if any panels need repairing or replacing, ensuring that your garden offers the best protection for your home. And pair this with great gate security, and you'll easily keep the burglars at bay.'

Source Housebeautiful