seasonal swaps

I can’t believe it, here we are nearly in September, this year has just flown by. In the PNW the days are getting shorter, the leaves are turning, and the smell of Pumpkin Spice is everywhere. In the summer months, we opt for lighter and cooler fabrics, colors, and textures around our homes, to coincide with the brightness and warmth of the season. As the seasons change the days and nights begin to cool down, and the events of the summer slow down, it’s time for the seasonal turnover of our homes.

bedding

It is no secret that I love a good set of linen sheets, specifically by Parachute Home. They are cooling and breathable, antibacterial/antimicrobial and they only get softer and better with time. Linen is also great because it can be used as a year round option.

The season change is the perfect time to add a warmer layer, an extra blanket or a winter weight duvet. First step: take the time to properly clean, and pack away the sets that are no longer going to be in use in the coming colder months ahead.

This is also the perfect time to deal with the more cumbersome items like dry cleaning down duvets or blankets. These items aren’t laundered on as regular a basis so taking these items to be cleaned at the turn of the season is the perfect time to do it. Not to mention, it feels pretty amazing when you open up your summer bedding and everything comes out fresh and ready for use.

While items are being cleaned this is a great time to ask yourself: where are all of these items going? If you have multiple bedrooms, each with its own dedicated bedding sets, the quantity of items can stack up quickly.

Was the storage space and solution you used the previous season effective for you? We recommend 2 sets of bedding per bed, a winter and summer option.

storage

The best place to store out-of-season bedding depends on what storage you have. Garages, linen closets, and storage rooms can all be good options depending on your situation. If opting for a location that isn’t tight on space, using air-tight bins, like the Weathertight Tote from the Container Store, can be a great option. I know they’re plastic, but this is one of the few situations in which plastic is great. These are watertight bins perfect for longer-term storage.

If you are a bit tight on space or simply like to maximize your storage areas, using space-saver bags can be a great option. Space saver bags, or vacuum seal bags, come in a variety of sizes and take all of the air out of the belongings that are inside them, making once bulky blankets and pillows and sheets flat, and much easier to store. You can slide these sealed bags under beds, in the backs of closets, or on out-of-the-way shelves, or if you’re really looking to keep things tight and tucked together, you could put the bags inside of a tote or two in the garage or basement.

Regardless of which storage solution you go for, make sure that you properly label the items being stored. Labels are your friend. Consider packing by item type or category, with labels like guest bed, or queen winter set. Putting full sets together will help when you are unpacking things again in the spring.

textiles and decor

One of the easiest ways to change a feeling in a space is to swap out the textiles. Rugs, throw blankets, pillowcase covers, and even curtains are all easy and relatively small ways to turn a space over. In the Summer months, we opt for light and cool fabrics and materials to go with the brightness and heat of the season. As the seasons turn and we come into the colder months we often gravitate towards items that are softer, warmer, and all around cozier.

The energy of autumn is many things. It is a time for introspection, creativity, reflection, and slower energy. By doing seasonal swaps in our spaces we are setting the tone for this season and embracing all that it has to offer.

We love a good rug moment. Is there a rug in storage or perhaps something you’ve had your eye on on fbmp? Rugs create a cozier atmosphere, but it can also be beneficial in helping the hygge factor of your home in the colder months. The same thing goes for curtains if you have older windows, switching curtains out seasonally is a great way to help add layers. Are there throw blankets for the living spaces that would make it feel warmer and more inviting? Tonal shifts in pillows and textiles can match the energy of the season in your home. More earth tones like greens and browns and earthy orange and red, or warmer ivory tones.

These swaps don’t need to be big or expensive. They can be secondhand, reused, or crafted (if youre crafty). Seasonal swaps aren’t necessarily something that needs to happen, or that needs to encourage consumerism seasonally or annually. Whatever your choices are on seasonal swaps in your home, make sure you are doing a mindful audit of them each time you take them out and put them away. Are these items in need of repair? Are they in alignment with the stage of life you are in now? Do these items bring you joy?

While you have your autumn items out in your home, think about how you are interacting with and using them. Make note of any adjustments as you go, so then at the end of the season you can revisit how these items served their purpose, then store or donate them.