When the weather turns cool, that’s all the reason I need to start snuggling up at home. Being a homebody means I’ll take just about any chance to nest, but when fall arrives there are a few ways I like to make the house feel warmer and cozier. The quickest (and cheapest!) way is to burn lots of candles. I use candles all year but in the fall and wintertime I go all out– pillars, votives, tealights. I just love the glow they give off. A great, cost-conscious source for candles is Pier 1 Imports, where they’re so affordable I can buy a ton (good, since I burn through them so quickly!)

Another great way to make the house feel inviting (and cut energy costs while you’re at it!) is to add dimmer switches to your lighting. You can go all out with the kind that are installed in the fixture itself, but I like to keep things simple and opt for the onesyou plug into an regular lamp (go to Lutron.com for a good range of inexpensive models.) With the flick of a switch, bright, glaring light suddenly becomes soft and warm-—perfect for curling up with a book or watching a movie.

For the finishing touch I replace sheer window treatments with more substantial panels and toss thick, nubby throw blankets onto the couch. Summer will always be my favorite season, but all of a sudden, fall is looking pretty good too.

What affordable updates do you make to ready your home for the change of seasons?

SEE ALSO:

• Paint your radiator
• Transform a tired kitchen
• Hang pictures like a pro
• Get the paint finish you really want

Posted by Elizabeth Blake, Senior Style Editor

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