The blazing hot temperatures of summer are still very present, but we’re mentally jumping ahead to fall. Daydreaming about cooler weather. Picturing fall’s rich colors filtering throughout your home. Making a checklist of outdoor preparations that need to be done. Oh yes, there’s a lot to do! Let’s get a head start on the next season.

The Dining Room Makeover

When the weather turns cooler, one of the easiest rooms to transition is your dining room. Fall is a time of harvest and celebration, so you’ll be having lots of social gatherings at your dining room table.

Switch out your curtains. Welcome fall by replacing your sheer summer curtains with heavier drapes, such as velvet ones. New drapes can add a dramatic color to your dining room furniture décor, as well as serving two important practical purposes. Heavy fabrics protect your dining room furniture from sun damage and help insulate your windows, which lowers heating costs.

Tend to your tabletop. This is where the seasonal makeover can be the most fun. Your dining room table holds so much potential—for new placemats, napkins, centerpieces, etc. Pick a theme and a few colors that you love in order to create a fun seasonal dining table. Not sure where to start? Consider earth-toned linens, a pumpkin-filled centerpiece, and candles in a color that pops for a tablescape that’s just right for fall.

Change your slipcovers. It is time to take off the light, floral-patterned dining chair covers you used in the spring and summer to create that cottage-y vibe. Dress up your room instantly by recovering dining chairs with a heavier fabric in one of fall’s rich colors, such as tangerine, ruby red or mauve.

MUSTS for Fall

While our focus is always on helping you create a fabulous dining room environment, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention a few things you really do have to do to prepare your home for fall.

• Clean out your gutters and check the state of your roof.
• Make sure your heating system is working optimally.
• Check your windows and exterior doors to see if they need weatherproofing or repairs. If necessary, remove your window screens and replace them with storm windows.
• Prevent plumbing freezes by clearing out your garden hose and draining your irrigation system.