Fall Decorating Tips for First-Time Homeowners

Decorating for the seasons can be one of the most fun aspects of owning your own home – no longer are you satisfied with a single pumpkin by your apartment’s door! As you work to make your home an autumnal haven, however, keep in mind that your home’s value is a key part of the investment you’ve made. Here are some simple value-adds you can take on this fall while also decorating for the season. 

Nothing Makes the House Look Quite as Great As Gleaming Siding

No amount of twinkling lights or spooky Halloween decorations outside is going to make up for the tell-tale signs of mold or mildew on the side of your home. Now, when you’re still a new homeowner, is the time to get into the habit of power washing that siding periodically. Fall is a great time to make that house look great, since people will be looking at it during holiday gatherings. The weather is also often better this time of year, making a day that is both focused on power washing and then on adding decorative gourds to the porch totally possible.

Change Those Curtains for a Fall Palette and Fix Any Weatherstripping Issues

Your windows are a big part of how you make your space feel ready for fall. If you use a new sash on your curtains to give more of a fall, warm toned flare, or if you change the curtains or drapes entirely, you’ll see a big difference in the look of the room. However, it’s also highly practical to take a look at those windows themselves. If the weatherstripping is coming off or is missing entirely, you’re likely paying a pretty penny to heat the outside during the winters! Go ahead and do any window treatment work at the same time that you re-install or add weatherstripping. Doors need it too, and you’ll be glad for how much more snug it makes your fall abode.

Mulch Outdoors Before It’s Time to Put Up Those Holiday Decorations

Don’t just set up pots of chrysanthemums and make plans for a blow-up Santa Claus – as a new homeowner, you want to make sure the flower beds and landscaping make it through the winter unscathed. Top real estate agents would recommend taking a day to find the right type of mulch for each type of perennial in your garden, and adding the recommended amount of mulch. This dissuades weeds in the Spring (you’ll be glad you did!) and makes the flower beds look great when your Thanksgiving Turkey decorations are drawing eyes to your property. 

You may feel like you are not as interested in home value now that you’re settling into a new home, but someday you’ll be glad that you took the time to invest in your home’s long-term improvement and maintenance. Make your seasonal decorating days into a combination decorating-and-routine-maintenance routine. You’ll get used to taking great care of your home and still get the joy of making the space beautiful for the new season.

About The Author: Laura Leavitt is a freelance writer with a passion for real estate, home improvement, and personal finance for those big life choices.

Photo by Mălina Sîrbu from Pexels