The fall season is a time to refresh and simplify our homes. As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, the shift in season brings with it a new perspective: an invitation to embrace change, reset our spaces, and welcome a cozy atmosphere that reflects who we are today.

I would describe our home as a generous, soft, and welcoming space with a stylish past and a stylish present. Every room in our condo in the sky on the 71st floor has large windows facing either east or south, overlooking my beautiful Chicago and Lake Michigan. The lake, the city, and our home wrap their arms around me… inspiring me daily in ways big and small.

I love fall. With autumn’s arrival, I find it the perfect time to refresh and simplify and to plan my calendar for the rest of the year, rethink my wardrobe, and make family travel plans. Even if you’re considering a move during this season, you can still enjoy refreshing your space with intention and joy.

Refresh Your Home for the Season

Refreshing can feel difficult for a woman after 50, especially when every corner holds treasured memories. Memories are keepers, but refreshing your home doesn’t mean letting go of love, it means creating space for new energy. Try adding personal touches, swapping out decor, or making small updates to create a home that feels fresh, yet familiar.

As temperatures dip, I fill every room with the soft glow of orange candles throughout October and November. Their scent and light add warmth and ambiance, creating an instant sense of comfort. Autumn wreaths, vases of branches, and seasonal accents make my home feel alive with the season.

I swap out throw pillows in the den for rich, warm hues that invite cozy evenings. I also treat myself to a new set of linens and a duvet for our bedroom, after all, we spend a third of our lives there! A well-dressed bed is the focal point of any bedroom, so make it remarkable. Add layers: a new throw, textured shams, and cozy blankets to create an inviting sanctuary.

Refresh with Greenery

I love nature, so the power of plants is an instant pick-me-up. Plants also improve the air quality in your home and add warmth to any room. Consider large floor plants and bright bouquets of flowers or orchid plants. Choose varieties that showcase autumn color and vibrant colors for a seasonal touch. Bringing the outdoors inside connects you with nature and enhances your interior design.

Don’t Forget Your Front Door

Don’t forget your front door, darling. Make it a statement! On a trip to Ireland, I noticed that every home had a different-colored door: red, green, blue, or yellow. The story goes that men returning home late from the pub could find their homes more easily! Whether you live in a house or a condo, add a welcoming touch. Outside our condo in the sky hangs an evil eye charm and a large statue we call our guardian, a whimsical reminder that home should make you smile.

Refresh with Small Details

I like to add one or two fresh pieces each season, perhaps a lucite chess set, a sculpture, or new picture frames. It’s not about excess; it’s about intention. Small changes add big joy.

I refresh my dishes, placemats, and napkins, too. It’s a simple joy to open a cabinet and find something new. Details matter. The right color palette can change the mood of a space.

Simplify Your Space

Now, the hard part: simplifying! But remember, darling, the rewards are worth it.When you simplify, you gain more than space, you gain peace. Less to clean, less to organize, less stress. More time for the things you love.

A deep clean at the start of the season helps reset your home and mind. And remember this golden rule:

Simplifying is not organizing.

Organizing is shifting what you already have. Simplifying is letting go. Ask yourself: how many unused utensils, untouched sweaters, or mismatched socks are cluttering your home and your mind? Behind the clutter lies a beautiful kind of freedom.

Here are a few of my favorite simplifying rituals:

1. Declutter your summer clothes and shoes. Treat yourself to matching hangers. It’s a small joy that feels luxurious.

2. Clean under sinks and treat yourself to rust-proof organizers or lazy Susans.

3. Simplify your pantry and check expiration dates.

4. Donate generously, your excess can bless others.

5. Try the 12-12-12 challenge: throw away 12 items, donate 12, return 12 to their proper place.

6. Redo one closet completely, it’s transformative.

7. Fill one donation bag a day.

8. Replace worn towels and linens.

9. Simplify one room a day until your heart feels lighter.

We all live busy lives. Spending time at home this fall refreshing and simplifying is an act of love and self care and for you and your home.

Sentiment and “My Keepers”

Fall also invites reflection. As I tidy, I find myself cherishing the history of each meaningful item displayed in our home. These keepsakes (gifts from friends, grandchildren, my husband, and my Honey Bees) tell the story of my life. If someone ever robbed our home, I’d beg them to leave me those tokens of love.

I am so sentimental. I savor every moment of loving happenings, especially when I glance at ‘my keepers. Each of them tells a story.

A Sentimental Story

A few years ago, I took the elevator with America from my condo in the sky on the 71st floor to the 35th floor to find a little treasure of my mom’s to give to my cousin, Linda. Our mothers were sisters. I found what I wanted and thought I would check the fridge before leaving.

I opened the refrigerator door, and there on the top shelf was a jar of unopened Sweet Gherkins pickles, one of two foods, the other being chocolate phosphates, that I recall from childhood my mom loved! I was emotionally startled because at the site of those pickles, I felt my mom was with me. That through the sweet Gherkins, she was sending me a message that she would walk beside me and guide me.

I gently picked up the unopened jar, hugged it to me, and as I looked down at the jar, I could not help noticing what was written on the unopened lid; Mt. Olive since 1926 Make a Wish. And I did… Needless to say, the Sweet Gherkins will be added to ‘my keepers.’

Cozy Textures for Fall

As the season cools, there’s nothing quite like surrounding yourself with cozy textures. Designers agree: layering warm materials is one of the simplest ways to make your home feel comforting. Think chunky knit throws, plush blankets, and pillows in earthy tones: rust, caramel, and cocoa. Add woven baskets, wooden accents, and soft lighting to create a retreat-like atmosphere.

Don’t be afraid to mix textures: velvets with knits, or faux fur with linen. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s warmth. These simple swaps invite you to slow down, breathe, and savor the beauty of home.

Refreshing Your Home Is Self Care

Refreshing and simplifying your home each fall isn’t about keeping up with trends, it’s about nurturing yourself. It’s self care in its truest, most beautiful form. When we take time to tend to our surroundings, we’re really tending to our inner world. A tidy drawer brings clarity to the mind. A freshly made bed restores calm to the heart. A soft throw across your favorite chair whispers, rest, you’ve earned it.

As women over 50, we’ve cared for everyone else: our families, our friends, our communities… often putting ourselves last. But now, darling, it’s time to come home to you. Simplifying and refreshing your space each season is a way to honor where you are in your life right now, not who you were years ago, or who you think you “should” be. It’s about surrounding yourself with what feels good, what feels right, and what feels like you.

So, as the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, pour yourself a cup of tea, light a candle, and let your home speak back to you. Ask: What do I need more of this season? What can I release? Please write in the comments or email me at AskMe@HoneyGood.com to share how you’re refreshing your home this season! I read every comment and email and personally respond from my heart. 💛