With autumn on the horizon, it’s the ideal time to reset our homes and routines, ready for the steadier rhythm that the season brings.
We’ve tapped into the expertise of home-organising experts and interior designers, who are here to share their go-to strategies for staying on top of clutter and creating a cosy, restful space that nurtures wellbeing.
How to reset your home for autumn
1. Rearrange the hallway
‘As we transition into autumn, it’s a perfect time to focus on our entryways. Move lighter jackets back into wardrobes and swap them out on hallway coat hooks for warmer, heavier layers. Make space for welly boots, and pop down a boot tray to catch rainy drips. Hang umbrellas on hooks or give them a proper umbrella stand, and bring out the baskets of gloves and scarves so they’re easy to grab on your way out. A little prep now means smoother, calmer mornings.’
Vicky Silverthorn is a professional organiser at youneedavicky.com
2. Embrace the season
As someone who suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), I’ve built a routine to embrace the season. I forage foliage, then with my findings I create an ikebana arrangement on my mantelpiece. I dust it off and change it all around, using scented candles, which I religiously light to lift my mood. I also have a SAD lamp, which I turn on at about 3.30pm to trick my brain into thinking the day isn’t ending just yet.’
Aurélien Farjon runs craft workshops as a presenter and interior stylist on Instagram @stylemakerstv
3. Preserve flowers & foliage
by Sarah Twigg Doyle at her
home in Ireland
‘With the evenings drawing in and a coolness in the air, we increasingly retreat inside our homes. But I like to bring some outdoor joy inside with me throughout these colder months. So, as the last of the garden is in bloom, I’ll preserve flowers and foliage, such as hydrangeas, to make dried arrangements that will last over winter. I try to follow the ‘grown not flown’ motto when it comes to flowers, using what I have to hand.’
Sarah Twigg Doyle is an interior and brand stylist, designer, and colour consultant at retwiggd.ie
4. Cosy up high-traffic areas
‘Start by decluttering surfaces and storing away summer pieces, then reorganise high-traffic areas to support cosy indoor routines and make space for comfort. Layer soft textures and bring out tactile throws, cosy cushions and warm lighting, all in a warmer colour palette. Style shelves and side tables with candles, books and seasonal foliage. Prioritise warmth, texture and calm to create a cosy and inviting space that nurtures the gentle shift that autumn brings.’
Leoma Harper is an interior designer on Instagram @styletheclutter & @interiorsbyleomaharper
5. Restyle your shelves
‘Choose an area to declutter, such as your bathroom toiletry cupboards or maybe that overflowing junk drawer, and get rid of products you don’t use, or what I like to call the "heavy energy items". You will feel lighter and enjoy the benefits of having less in your home. Then bring scented candles and soft textures to solitary spaces, like the bathroom or bedroom, where you can relish a little time to yourself, creating a tranquil place to relax during the colder months.’
Lucy Mansey is an award-winning professional organiser at organisedbylucy.com
6. Swap out your duvet
‘I have a lighter duvet for spring and summer, and a higher-tog for autumn and winter. I switch them around seasonally and wash them at least twice a year to keep them fresh. Wash synthetic duvets on a normal load and dry thoroughly before using. If you have a feather or down duvet, and the label allows it, wash it on a cold cycle using non-bio detergent.’
Tanya Mukendi, author of Hack Your Home (£14.99, Harper Collins)
7. Choose evergreens
‘As autumn approaches, take the chance to clear the decks and replace with pieces intended to boost wellbeing. We associate lush foliage with spring and summer, but this doesn’t mean we have to forego greenery during the colder months. Houseplants help to purify the air and boost wellbeing, so make space for indoor plants that retain their foliage all year round, such as Aglaonema, otherwise known as Chinese evergreen.’
Tara Rodrigues, winner of The Big Interiors Battle and interior designer at tararodriguesinteriors.com
8. Spark joy
‘Reflect on seasonal items like summer clothes and swimwear by asking yourself, “Do I want to see this again next summer?” Keep what sparks joy, store it with care, and let go of the rest with gratitude. For families, the home may feel unsettled after a long summer break – use the new school term to reset your space to restore balance and calm. Focus on two things: keep only what sparks joy, and give every item a designated home.’
Marie Kondo is an author and tidying expert at konmari.com
9. Create bedroom calm
‘The bedroom is the perfect place to reset for autumn. Start by decluttering and switching out summer clothes for seasonal staples like cosy knits – it’s a simple way to feel more prepared. Update bedding with warmer textures and add soft lighting to create a calm, inviting atmosphere. Focusing on this space helps support better sleep, and makes the seasonal transition feel manageable and intentional.’
Emma Kenwrick-Meehan is a professional home organiser, stylist and founder of homenipandtuck.co.uk
10. Make a list
‘Start by making a list of the things you need, and then of the things you want. Creating an inventory will enable you to start afresh and be more intentional about the things you bring into your home. Now edit your cosmetics, clean out your medicine cabinet, clear off your nightstand, thin out your sock drawer, and curate your work surface. Don’t worry about organising or styling these spaces; just focus on removing the clutter and decreasing volume.’
Shira Gill, organising expert and advocate of minimalist spaces, is the author of LifeStyled
11. Bring in the baskets
‘As routines shift, I up the storage in my hallway with extra coat hooks and a bench basket for boots. I also keep a big woven basket by the sofa to store throws and crafts in – everything stays tidy, but still to hand. I add a touch of autumn magic with a bowl of pinecones laced with fairy lights on the coffee table, and a wreath of dried leaves on the front door – it’s cosy, creative and super easy.’
- These 18 affordable autumn decorating ideas will make your home feel extra cosy
- How to make a storage basket
Gemma Gear is an interior stylist and co-host of the How to Home podcast, @howtohome.podcast
12. Organise your kitchen
‘Don’t forget your lazy Susans! I use these rotating trays in my cupboards to store things like cans – just give it a twirl and grab the one you want. When every cupboard has a reason for being (herbs, snacks, plates, etc) and a system, it is quite hard for it all to get messy. My kitchen can still feel covered in stuff but, if I know where it all belongs, it’s less overwhelming. Nothing’s perfect all the time, and that’s the whole point of organising.’
Stacey Solomon is a TV personality and presenter of BBC’s Sort Your Life Out
13. Set daily rituals
‘Bring focus to your decluttering by thinking about what you want to get out of it. Write down your goals and how you envisage feeling in the space afterwards – this will motivate you to keep going. Consider adding some Japandi-inspired daily rituals to help you slow down, and create a restorative space that makes you feel good – create a tea or coffee station with your favourite ceramics, or curate a focal point with a sculptural floral arrangement.’
Cate St Hill is a writer, designer, stylist and author of The Japandi Home, (£25, Union Square & Co)
14. Purify the air
‘Donate unused items you will inevitably have collected during summer holidays, and introduce cosy layers – think thick throws, candles and warm, indirect lighting. Check your candles are made of beeswax to purify your air and minimise toxins. I also like adding high-quality reading time to my nighttime routine in the colder months, so setting up a quiet nook for reading or reflection might be just what you need this autumn.’
Buse Gürbüz is an interior designer, lamp maker and founder of interiordesigncambridge.co.uk
15. Donate and re-sell
‘Decluttering helps me to clear my head, and I love donating beautiful things to charity so they can have a second lease of life. Then I layer up my textures – soft throws on the sofa, an extra blanket on the bed, warm lighting (I use a smart bulb so I can change the light colour easily), and earthy tones to create an inviting atmosphere. As daylight shortens, I like to prepare my space, making it a sanctuary for me and my family.’
Lucy Gough is an interior stylist at interiorstylingschool.com
16. Find dedicated spaces
‘To reduce clutter and stay organised for the season ahead, establish simple, intentional systems. Sort through books, magazines and decor, keeping only what you love – and give each item a dedicated place, whether that’s a shelf, drawer or box. Create surface space for the essentials: a lamp, a book, a warm drink. A calm, clutter-free home supports rest and wellbeing as the days grow shorter.’
Matt Smith-Wood, finalist on Interior Design Masters, is a designer at mattsmithwood.com
17. Style a cosy nook
‘Create a cosy sensory nook this autumn – a quiet corner with just one comfy chair, perfect for reading, journaling, or simply taking a moment for yourself. Keep it fuss-free: a soft throw, warm light, your favourite scent, and go-to mug. Use low-contrast and soothing shades to enhance the feeling of calm. This small, intentional space helps declutter the mind, reset your mood, and gently ease you into autumn’s slower rhythm.’
Pippa Jameson is an interior stylist, author and founder of thesensoryhome.com
18. Tackle the attic
‘Sorting out your indoor storage area will provide the opportunity to make a big leap in terms of evaluating your current life and what you need in it. Ask yourself: Do you have things you’ve already decided don’t belong in your home? Are you guilty of keeping things ‘just in case’? If you are going all out, buy different-coloured boxes for easy identification. And don’t stop at one label, either. Be sure to pop one on the front, side and top.’
Lesley Spellman and Ingrid Jansen are the authors of Reset Your Home
19. Make a snug sanctuary
‘I turn my bedroom into an autumn hideaway by switching to brushed-cotton sheets, a 13.5-tog duvet, and a rust-toned bedspread. It’s the best way to welcome the darker nights. Then I rotate my wardrobe, packing away summer dresses to make room for chunky knits. I use lidded baskets for scarves, hats and boots, so it all has a home – and I’m not tripping over my wellies!’
Maxine Brady is an interior stylist and co-host of the How to Home podcast, @howtohome.podcast
20. Refresh your decor
‘As autumn rolls in and we start cosying up indoors, it’s the perfect time to give your home a gentle refresh. If rugs are looking a little tired, why not give them a good clean, or switch out for something extra-plush and warm underfoot? Brighten up dim corners with some extra lighting – cordless lamps are ideal for moving around as you need them.’
Sense-scaping expert Laurie Davidson runs craft workshopsas a presenter and interior stylist on Instagram @stylemakerstv
21. Shop your home
‘Reverse-shop your home by picking one space (like your living room or bedroom) and removing the knick-knacks and artwork. Shop your home for a few items to replace these with, and you’ll have a fresh new feel, while also having a bit less stuff! In the kitchen, take the clean counter challenge. Spend an hour and try to remove as much as you can from the counter, then declutter inside cabinets to make room for items like your toaster and blender.’
Cassandra Aarssen is an organisation expert at clutterbug.me
