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Colder nights call for comfort and cosiness

There is nothing better than curling up under a throw when the temperatures tumble, but is your home ready for the autumn season? From clearing gutters to installing home security (vital once the clocks fall back), it's always better to be prepared for what the months ahead may bring.

Not sure where to start? Keep reading for everything you need to know about prepping your home for autumn...

Gas and oil boilers should be serviced once a year by a qualified heating engineer. As autumn draws closer, now is the perfect time to have yours checked to avoid being caught out in the cold on a chilly morning.

According to research by Heatable.co.uk, you can save between 20-35% on your energy bills if your boiler needs an upgrade to a more energy-efficient one. Engineers are notoriously busy during the winter months, so getting one booked in now will help you beat the rush.

Autumn is the perfect time tackle your cleaning checklist, including areas such as the oven, microwave, flooring, curtains and blinds. We are all aware of the big spring clean, but having a good tidy up during autumn will help us to get organised before the Christmas rush — especially when it comes to the kitchen.

"We are all prone to storing a surplus of cleaning products under the sink," says Elaine Penhaul, interiors expert at Lemon and Lime Interiors. "Remove everything from your overflowing cupboard and sort through it - you'll be amazed by how many half-used bottles can be consolidated and save you from buying new ones. Adding labels to your jars will help you to identify an order, whilst also making your pantry look stylish."

Don't forget to give your home a declutter, too. It's time to pack away your summer clothes and bring out your winter warmers (coats take up a lot of room, so you will need that extra wardrobe space). Place anything you won't wear into storage boxes or air-tight bags until next year.

Autumn is one of the best months to get those essential autumn DIY jobs done before the cold winter arrives. Spend some time checking your guttering and downpipes, looking for draughts, and sealing any cracks in the walls.

"This autumn will be harder than any other because of the cost-of-living crisis," say Barratt Homes. "Getting those DIY jobs done while the weather is warm and dry could help to save you money once the colder months are here. Look for holes or cracks in walls and around doors and windows, where the wind or water could come in during the winter. This will help to save money in the long term and make you more comfortable in your home."

With falling leaves and the remnants of summer storms, autumn is an important time to clean out and inspect your gutters before it gets dark. A blocked gutter might seem like a trivial problem at first, but they can cause serious damage to your property if left unchecked.

Barratt Homes advise: "Also, start to clean and put away garden furniture, so it stays protected over the winter. Don't forget to put away garden tools to keep them in good condition and to prevent burglars from using them."

The sweet scents of pumpkin spice, baked apples and warm cinnamon perfectly encompass the comforting feeling of autumn. Once you've given your home a tidy, create a calming atmosphere with candles, diffusers and room sprays.

"The coming of autumn means it's time to ramp up the home fragrance selection. Scent plays a huge part in our homes; often overlooked but scents can act as a budget-friendly way of updating your home which reflects the change in season. Swap summery scents for more spicier notes," explains Kelly Collins, interior designer and head of creative at Swyft Home. "Aromatherapy-based scents with an earthy note work well, such as sandalwood, or comforting scents like vanilla."

It is important to test every smoke and carbon monoxide detector in your home once a month to ensure that the alarm is operating properly. To do this, simply press the 'test' button on your alarm. After a few seconds, it will make a loud siren or alert. If no sound is made, then you will need to replace the batteries.

Domestic burglaries often see a dramatic increase once the clocks go back. As you begin to prep your home for the new season, don't forget to cut down bushes to ensure you have a clear view, install security alarms, ensure all locks are tightened, and, if you can, opt for CCTV cameras.

Check your roof before the cold temperatures and snow of winter do further damage. Firstly, carry out a visual inspection all around the outside of your property for signs of wear and tear or possible hazards. You might be able to clear it yourself using a ladder or may want to consider calling in some extra help.

"Checking your loft insulation and roof will save you a lot of money before problems arise," add Barratt Homes. "A faulty roof can be one of the costliest aspects of your home to repair. Heavy rain and strong winds can damage your roof, so make sure you are checking tiles regularly to avoid bigger problems."

The end of summer means the beginning of shorter days and darker afternoons. Autumn is the perfect season for layering, cosying up and bringing the changing landscapes inside.

"As we ready ourselves for the cold weather, nothing sounds better than creating a safe and comforting haven to retreat to," say the team at Homebase.

"Layers of soft textures and checked patterns are on-trend and will add character to your home. From cushions and rugs, to wallpaper and curtains, having checked accents alongside different fabrics and textures – such as faux fur and neutral colours – will create an organic, homely feel."

Wondering what household jobs to tackle in autumn? Instead of overwhelming yourself, take one room each week and do the smaller jobs within that room. Start by sorting your drawers or wardrobes, sorting out what you no longer need. Make a pile to donate or try selling items online.

These fast-growing shrubs look beautiful in every season, with lilac-like flowers in spring and bright purple berries that last into winter.

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Butterflies love the dense groupings of these tiny blue flowers. Fill out a flower bed with the tall shrub, but it'll need plenty of sun and well-drained soil.

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While the bell flowers look pretty in the summertime, the colourful pods make this ornamental plant so popular. Physalis alkekengi requires little fuss, but it'll spread quickly if left to its own devices.

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Autumn crocuses sprout up from bulbs just like their spring counterparts, but the "meadow saffron" actually belongs to the lily family.

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Despite common belief, goldenrod does not cause allergies, but it can spread to unmanageable proportions. Try Grey Goldenrod or Zig-Zag Goldenrod for better-behaved plants.

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With white, pink or purple flowers, heathers carpet large areas with a flood of colour. The green, bronze and red foliage also add interest in the wintertime.

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"Sneezeweed" doesn't actually make you sneeze. The nickname comes from its former use as snuff, but the tall flowers dot gardens in red, orange and yellow hues.

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With yellow petals and brown centres, "false sunflowers" copy their namesake to a T, but the perennials bloom year after year from midsummer into autumn.

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Autumn varieties of iberis bloom twice, once during the spring and again in the late autumn. Plant the low perennial along a rock wall and it'll flow over the side.

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White, pink and purple anemones love shady spots and moist soil, and the wiry stems will sway in even a slight breeze.

Varieties come in silver, red and purplish hues, not to mention variegated kinds with horizontal or vertical stripes.

Monkshood or wolfsbane adds blue and purple colour to a season dominated by warm tones. The tall spires may look beautiful, but be careful handling this poisonous plant.

Autumn's most popular flower symbolises optimism, joy and longevity. Well, except for the yellow variety that's associated with "slighted love."

Commonly grown in containers, peppers also work in garden beds. You can eat the multicoloured fruits, but the decorative varieties usually taste too spicy for the average palate.

These popular annuals can withstand cool weather while providing a pop of colour. New varieties like the ice pansy can even survive a light snow.

A member of the mint family, Russian sage produces tiny, purple flowers and silvery-green foliage from midsummer into autumn, even in dry conditions.

With thick, waxy leaves, this plant stands out from the average autumn-bloomer. Both tall and low-growing varieties spread quickly, with reddish-pink flowers that attract butterflies.

Toad lilies go by a rather unfortunate name, but the speckled blooms bring to mind delicate orchids. Fair warning, though: Deer and rabbits will like them as much as you do.

Chelone or 'twisted shell flower' look similar to snapdragons, but the flowers most closely resemble (you guessed it) the head of turtle. The blooms come in purple, pink and white and the perennial will grow up to three feet high.

Yes, witch hazel possesses medicinal properties, but the shrubs also produce spiky flowers from autumn into winter.

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