The Busy Girl’s Guide to Fall Planning

Today, we’re sharing The Busy Girl’s Guide to Fall Planning and Decorating!

This Fall planning guide is something we’ve exclusively shared with new subscribers in the past.  But if there were ever a year for easy tips and tricks and no-fuss seasonal decorating ideas, it’s definitely this year!

We’re passionate about getting organized early. So, we can enjoy all the fun adventures the season has to offer.

And we’re excited to share these ideas with you too!

The Busy Girl’s Guide to Fall Planning Inspiration…

While it might not *feel* like Fall is on the way given the sweltering temps, once school is back in session, the pumpkin spice lattes and hayrides are just around the corner.

In the past, we’ve found if we don’t take the time to think about and plan for the season, we miss out on all the reasons we wanted to make it special in the first place.

The transitions from Summer to Fall can definitely be a hectic one.  You might even be feeling overwhelmed right now at the thought of having to get ready for Fall.

Especially, if your Summer has been busier than expected.

Maybe in the past, you wanted to be organized by planning for Fall and decorating early. But you just couldn’t make it happen for whatever reason. 

Now is a great time to take the pressure off and ease your way into a new season.  To gather your thoughts, get a game plan together and cross things off your checklist early. 

It’s one of the biggest reasons we’ve created The Busy Girl’s Guide to Fall Planning and Decorating. So, we can enjoy an intentional and purpose-filled season.

Here’s a look at our simple guide to Fall planning and decorating with 5 action-packed steps you can take right now…

Set Your Expectations, Goals, and Priorities *Before* the Season Begins…

How many times have you gone through the Fall season *wishing* you had taken the time to visit the pumpkin patch or taken a trip with your family to see the leaves change or completed your bucket list or hosted your friends and family, but didn’t actually make time to *do* any of those things?

We’re not judging at all, we’ve been there too.

No matter what your goals and priorities are, take the time to put all the events that are important to you on the calendar right now before the season even begins.  

It’s one of the most helpful tips in our guide to fall planning and decorating.

The best way to ensure you accomplish the big things and the small things on your Fall bucket list is to be proactive about how you spend your time.

Tackle your calendar with grace by fully committing to saying, “yes” to the tasks and activities that bring you joy and “no” to the things that stress you out.

Establish a Wellness Routine You’ll Actually Keep…

Practice Healthy Morning Habits

Begin your day doing things that will create a sense of calm and focus by waking up around the same time each day, making your bed, journaling, meditating, affirmations or quiet time, eating a healthy breakfast, and straightening your house before you begin the workday.

Get Moving Every Day

Focus on being active every day by taking a walk outside, lifting light weights, practicing yoga, going for a bike ride, taking a dance class, or swimming laps in the pool at the clubhouse.

Incorporate Seasonal Ingredients into Your Menus

Whether it be honey crisp apples, pumpkins, multiple squash varieties, soups, or slow cooker recipes there are many ways to incorporate seasonal foods into your weekly meal plan. 

Practice Healthy Nightly Habits

End your day by doing things that make you feel purposeful and peace-filled.

These include prepping for the following day, tidying your home before you go to bed, meditation, visualization, quiet time, keeping a gratitude journal, light reading, and prioritizing good sleep hygiene.

Prepare Your Home… 

Declutter & Donate

Begin decluttering the most commonly used spaces in your home like drawers, closets, the pantry, and the refrigerator now. That way, you won’t be caught off guard when holiday guests arrive.

Consider donating gently used items you no longer want or need.

Collect, Launder & Change Out Seasonal Items

If you’ve been storing seasonal items such as sweaters, jackets, blankets, boots, socks, flannel pajamas, and bedding for the past few months, use this guide to fall planning to make sure all items have been laundered and properly cared for before changing out seasonal summer items for fall items.

Review Indoor & Outdoor Cleaning Checklists

You likely already have a cleaning checklist in mind based on the season. Now is a great time to review the list and create a plan of action to tackle what needs to be done.

Common Fall checklist examples include: changing out the batteries on smoke alarms, cleaning out gutters, prepping garden beds, checking the fireplace and chimney, and checking the weather seals around doors, windows, pipes, and pumps.  

Take the Time to Find Fall Inspiration…

There are many ways to feel inspired by the upcoming season. Decorating books, magazines, blogs, Pinterest boards, favorite stores, outdoor craft fairs, and traveling can all be fabulous sources of creativity.

Make a date with yourself or your bestie and spend some uninterrupted time finding things that inspire you to celebrate Fall.  It’s one of my favorite tips in our guide to fall planning.

Create a Cozy Home You’ll Enjoy All Season…  

Start with a Color Palette You Love

Choose a color palette that will enhance your home by working with the existing colors you already have in place.

Shop the House

Bring any Fall decorations you might already have down from the attic or up from the basement.

Shop Early Sales

Start purchasing seasonal and Fall décor items while they’re on sale. Most big box stores host early decorating events and offer coupons, discounts, and seasonal craft classes.

Take advantage of early-bird sale prices when they’re offered.

This will help to ensure you have the first pick of Fall items from fabric to floral décor to ribbon, pillows, and seasonal accessories too.

Create an Inviting Entry

Hang a wreath on the front door and add a fresh Fall doormat. Then spruce up the porch even further with beautiful mums and other seasonal flowers.

Welcome Fall with Seasonal Scents

Fill your home with autumn-inspired scents by using candles, room diffusers, or creating simmer pots with fruits, herbs, and spices.

Guide to Fall Planning: Things to Keep in Mind…

While the weather may still be warm in your area, the mums may not have even arrived at your local garden center yet and the pumpkins are still few and far between, use this guide to fall planning as a way to celebrate the upcoming season.

Taking the time to prepare now will ensure you have plenty of time to enjoy your favorite activities and events.

After all, there’s no better way to kick off a season of adventure than being prepared!

Are you ready to welcome all things cozy? We are too! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

A Few Other Fall-Inspired Posts You Might Enjoy:

• 24 Home Decor Books Coming Out This Fall 
• Fall Porch Decorating Ideas
• Embracing Fall Home Tour 
• DIY Fall Centerpiece 
• Fall in the Field at Renningers Mount Dora 

Many blessings,

CoCo