10 things to do in October

6 Prep the fireplace
If you've gone natural gas, you can skip this step. But if your fireplace is the old-fashioned sort, make sure to get it and the chimney cleaned professionally. Don't forget to stock up on firewood, kindling and long matches so you're ready to start a fire at a moment's notice.

7 Change your bedding
Now's the time to bring out your warm duvet and enjoy the comfort of snuggling into a warm bed with a fresh, cool breeze coming in through the window -- before it's too cold to leave it open. Make sure to add a cosy throw in a thick fabric like faux fur, and leave space on your bedside table for a cup of herbal tea to sip while you wind down in the evenings.

8 Rethink your space
No matter how much effort we put into our home decor, it's all too easy to get into a rut -- or to acquire clutter faster than we can clear it. Think about how you're using your space and if you can put it to better use. For instance, if you have three bedrooms and only ever use two, perhaps it's time to reconceptualize that third room.

9 Prepare a harvest feast
Thanksgiving comes but once a year, and when else do we get a holiday that's all about food? With no gifts to buy or cards to send, you're free to focus on the meal -- and how best to use the bountiful fall harvest. Make use of quintessentially North American ingredients like squash, wild rice, corn and cranberries -- yes, and turkey -- for a deliciously seasonal menu no one's likely to forget. (Try this menu from canadianliving.com.)

10 Bring autumn into your home
Whether it's through colour, texture or seasonal objects, clear out the lightness and brightness of summer and replace it with the comfort of fall. Try these do-it-yourself decor ideas, and read these suggestions for 15 ways to bring autumn into your home.

Image courtesy of West Elm.

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