Are you and your home ready for this fall season? Here’s a get ready for fall checklist so that you can make the most out of this season!

Getting ready for fall becomes a bigger priority to me each year. I didn’t grow up with a fall season so it has been exciting to learn how to make the most of it as a homemaker and really slow down and enjoy everything I can about this delightful season!

This year I have a baby coming in the fall so I’ trying not to make it too complicated. The more I can slow down the more delightful this year’s fall will be, I think, for all of our household. He isn’t here yet, though so there is plenty I can do until then.

Are you ready for the fall? If not, join me as I set up my house and seek to enjoy a simple, yet delightful fall with this practical get ready for fall checklist!

Stock baking items

I’m not an avid baker, but the urge to bake hits me quite often in the fall and winter. The cooler weather just begs for it!

There is nothing like wanting to bake and realizing you don’t have the basic ingredients you need. This has happened to me too often so I’m learning to be a little more prepared and stock up on the basics. 

This looks like…

• Sugar
• Cocoa
• Spices (cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, all spice, etc.)
• Flour
• Baking Soda and ACV (or whatever method of leavening you like.)
• Butter (I’m attempting to keep a stash of this in the freezer this year.)

Before you head out to grab some of these items though, don’t forget to take stock of what you have. 

To add a little more loveliness to my kitchen this fall, I’m also collecting pretty china and stoneware dishes from thrift stores and antique stores to put my spices in. It just adds a little more beauty and makes me smile. 

I also like to take advantage of this stock up time to make a few more healthier swaps for our baked goods since we will be devouring more of them in the fall and holiday season. 

This looks like getting better quality ingredients like…

• Organic cocoa
• Organic cane sugar or natural sweeteners
• Grass-fed butter
• Organic unbleached and unenriched flour
• Organic spices without additives
• Organic ACV with the mother

I’m so excited for the temperature to drop back down so I can turn the oven on again and let all the delicious fall baked goods scent my home! Aren’t you?!

Make a fall baking list

Baking, baking, and more baking! That’s what fall is coming to mean to me as a homemaker. 

If you are like me though, you can get all kinds of crazy ideas to try, so many of them that you get overwhelmed and don’t end up doing much baking at all. Don’t let this grand opportunity to try something new go to waste. Make a list of things you want to make, and enjoy some fun baking adventures!

A great place to put this so it doesn’t get lost is on the fridge or in your homemaking binder. If you don’t know what this is, read about it here. Making a homemaking binder has changed my life. It gives me a designated spot to write all my homemaking ideas and aspirations in one place. 

Gather some fall meal plan ideas

Fall is also a great time to try a new soup or two, maybe make some chili, or something pumpkin inspired. Gather some fall meal plan ideas wherever you get your inspiration (Pinterest, Google, Youtube, social media, etc.) and don’t forget to write them down. 

If you haven’t grabbed them yet, I have a bundle of fall printables including a baking list and a meal plan among other things.  

Switch out bedding and clothing

The weather is getting cooler….slowly, but surely so it’s time to start thinking about switching out the warm weather clothes and bedding for cooler ones. This gives you a chance to see if you have what you need and if everything you have is clean and in good condition. 

I live in a very mild area for winter so cooler weather clothes simply means layering on a sweater, some leggings, and socks with my summer wardrobe. In last years fall post A Fall Checklist for Homemakers, I mentioned getting boots and leggings. This was all I needed that year. These boots should last me several seasons, and I did invest in some comfy maternity leggings since I’m in and out of that season of motherhood. 

Honestly, I prefer maternity leggings over regular leggings because they still fit even when you aren’t pregnant and they are so much more comfy because they don’t have a low waist band. This is definitely a more comfy option even if you aren’t expecting a little one. 

For winter bedding, this simply looks like pulling out some throw blankets to add to all of our beds and living spaces. There’s nothing like a warm blanket to snuggle under that makes for a cozy fall!

Check decor

I have slowly started accumulating fall decor so my plan is to pull out what’s in storage and see what I have. Last fall was a whole year ago and no doubt you can’t remember every little piece of decor you used and have. Taking stock and decorating with what you have is a great way to see what you need to fill in some spaces and also to save money so you don’t go out and buy duplicates. 

It’s also a great idea (if you are in a calmer season of life) to see if you can make some decor items that look like that expensive arrangement that your budget really can’t cover. The dollar store, thrift stores, Hobby Lobby, and even Walmart are great places to get decor items and supplies on sale so you can save a little more. 

For inspiration on fall and decor and for any time of the year really, I love following the decor YouTube channel She Holds Dearly. I always leave inspired! 

Related post: 11 Frugal Fall Decor Ideas

Decorate the porch or patio

It doesn’t have to be fancy or perfect. Sometimes you just have to start or put something out knowing that you will gain experience the more you do it. 

I’m the type of person that leaves things undone until I feel like I actually know what I want for the space. There is nothing wrong with this and it’s a really good slow decorating principle, but at the same time at some point I have to just do something and start somewhere. We all start somewhere and we have to be willing to try something even if you might make mistakes or buy something we don’t end up liking. 

When I buy something that we end up regretting or don’t love once it’s actually in our home, I try not to feel guilty about it, return what I can or donate it, and realize that this is my tuition in my decor education journey. 

I have never decorated our porch because I didn’t know where to start. I decided to tackle it and make this the year to have something on our porch to welcome people. The goal is just to do something and to simply have….

• A fall welcome sign
• A pumpkin or two
• Some mums

I’m really trying to keep it simple so that I will actually do it. Have any new areas that you are going to tackle decorating this year?

Do some fall themed cleaning 

While you are cleaning out that spice cabinet or switching out your clothes, this is a prime opportunity to do a quick clean of that spot in your house. 

Some other things you’ll probably be using or areas you will be interacting with this fall and could do with a quick clean are…

• The oven
• Vents
• Windows
• Spice cabinet
• Pantry
• Closets
• Porch

You don’t have to do it all in one day, but as you are already working in these areas, this is a great time to do a simple touch up of these areas and make them nice and shiny.

Stock fall scents

Baking is a great natural way to scent your home in the fall, but I don’t bake everyday nor do I always have a fall potpourri going. This is why I love to have some essential oils and a diffuser or some wax melts for these days. 

Some scents to stock up on are…

• Cinnamon
• Pumpkin spice
• Vanilla
• Maybe something with Maple in it

You could also just grab a fall essential oil bundle to make it easier, too. 

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Another great natural way to scent your home is to use oil reed diffusers. I really got into them this year so I’m looking forward to using them this fall. If you want more natural ways to scent your home, you can find them here. 

Make a wish list for Black Friday sales

I’m frugal and probably frugal to a fault, but honestly, who doesn’t love getting something they need or have been wanting on sale?!

I try to be mindful of certain times of the year when there will be sales and start thinking ahead of time, making a list of sales to look for when that time comes. There isn’t always great sales for the things on my list, but last year, I was able to get a grain mill for a third of the price!! 

Don’t let Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales sneak up on you. Start making a list of things you need or have been wanting to improve the quality of your life so that you can be more intentional and productively search for good deals. It’s good stewardship. 

I also have a printable just for this included in my fall printable bundle.

Final Thoughts!

How I love fall! It’s warm and cozy and beckons you to slow down and enjoy some simplicity. 

I try to do what I can to make the most of this season, and fall makes it easy to embrace a slower pace for a season. It’s so delightful, too with all the goodies to make and share and warm drinks to sip.

Fall really is a beautiful season and I hope you make the most of it this year!

I hope you enjoyed reading this post and if you were inspired in any way, please PIN IT so that other homemakers can find it and be inspired, too!