Jobs for November: Rest, Stocktake and Plan for Next Year
Celebrate the cosy season and enjoy everything this month has to offer with a few of these ideas
As the mornings get crisper and the first frosts start to glitter on the horizon, here are a few activities to celebrate the month of November.
Take stock of garden supplies
Now the busyness of summer and early autumn has died down, it’s a good time to take stock of the garden – do an audit and tidy up.
Greenhouses and sheds will need a sweep and sort out. Labels, twine, plant pots and other garden staples can be counted and bundled up, and new supplies ordered where required.
November is also a lovely time to browse seed catalogues and start planning for next year.
Now the busyness of summer and early autumn has died down, it’s a good time to take stock of the garden – do an audit and tidy up.
Greenhouses and sheds will need a sweep and sort out. Labels, twine, plant pots and other garden staples can be counted and bundled up, and new supplies ordered where required.
November is also a lovely time to browse seed catalogues and start planning for next year.
Catch up on your sleep
After the hectic pace of the summer months, the shift in the seasons and changing light levels signify that it’s time to change down a gear and focus on rest and relaxation.
Whether that means going to bed an hour earlier or treating yourself to a lie-in on a weekend, be kind to yourself and take the time to recharge.
To make your home hibernation-worthy, switch to heavier-tog duvets if you haven’t already, pile up soft knits and natural textures, then drape and layer to create a snug cocoon.
After the hectic pace of the summer months, the shift in the seasons and changing light levels signify that it’s time to change down a gear and focus on rest and relaxation.
Whether that means going to bed an hour earlier or treating yourself to a lie-in on a weekend, be kind to yourself and take the time to recharge.
To make your home hibernation-worthy, switch to heavier-tog duvets if you haven’t already, pile up soft knits and natural textures, then drape and layer to create a snug cocoon.
Blitz your hallway
With the wintry weather come muddy boots, wet umbrellas and bulky winter coats, so now’s a good time to tidy up your hallway and clear the decks for wet-weather gear.
Pack away lighter jackets, summer shoes and hats to make space for winter coats and boots. Refresh doormats and bring the boot scraper to the fore.
With the wintry weather come muddy boots, wet umbrellas and bulky winter coats, so now’s a good time to tidy up your hallway and clear the decks for wet-weather gear.
Pack away lighter jackets, summer shoes and hats to make space for winter coats and boots. Refresh doormats and bring the boot scraper to the fore.
Feed the birds
With the weather on the turn, it’s time to think about the wildlife in your garden. Get back into the habit of putting out food for small creatures that might need some extra support in the chilly weather.
While there might still be berries and food sources available for birds now, as soon as the first frosts arrive, you’ll need to help them by putting out seeds, fat and mealworms as well as fresh water.
How to create a wildlife-friendly garden in autumn.
With the weather on the turn, it’s time to think about the wildlife in your garden. Get back into the habit of putting out food for small creatures that might need some extra support in the chilly weather.
While there might still be berries and food sources available for birds now, as soon as the first frosts arrive, you’ll need to help them by putting out seeds, fat and mealworms as well as fresh water.
How to create a wildlife-friendly garden in autumn.
Remember, remember…
…the 5th of November and get everyone outside for a bonfire party in your garden. Wrap up well, serve warming comfort food, such jacket potatoes and toffee apples, and keep your guests warm with hot, spiced drinks. If it’s a still, clear night, you might even be able to do a spot of stargazing.
See top tips for stargazing here.
Alternatively, if you’d rather hand the responsibility over to someone else for the evening, search for local fireworks events in your area, but plan to get there early, as queues are inevitable.
If you have pets, make sure they’re safely tucked up indoors.
Shop firepits on Houzz.
…the 5th of November and get everyone outside for a bonfire party in your garden. Wrap up well, serve warming comfort food, such jacket potatoes and toffee apples, and keep your guests warm with hot, spiced drinks. If it’s a still, clear night, you might even be able to do a spot of stargazing.
See top tips for stargazing here.
Alternatively, if you’d rather hand the responsibility over to someone else for the evening, search for local fireworks events in your area, but plan to get there early, as queues are inevitable.
If you have pets, make sure they’re safely tucked up indoors.
Shop firepits on Houzz.
Plan a trip
While summer is often seen as the season for adventures and travel, autumn can be a wonderful time to experience a weekend in the countryside. Think bracing walks, warm country pubs and cosy cabins with crackling fires.
But if a day trip or a mini-break aren’t on the cards, there’s a lot to be said for a spot of armchair travelling and dreaming at this time of year.
A quiet moment on an autumnal weekend is a lovely time to dip into your favourite travel magazine or blog, or to leaf through the lush photography of a beautiful coffee table book and start adding destinations to your must-visit list for next year.
While summer is often seen as the season for adventures and travel, autumn can be a wonderful time to experience a weekend in the countryside. Think bracing walks, warm country pubs and cosy cabins with crackling fires.
But if a day trip or a mini-break aren’t on the cards, there’s a lot to be said for a spot of armchair travelling and dreaming at this time of year.
A quiet moment on an autumnal weekend is a lovely time to dip into your favourite travel magazine or blog, or to leaf through the lush photography of a beautiful coffee table book and start adding destinations to your must-visit list for next year.
Layer up rich scent
If summer is all about fresh, clean scents, autumn is a time for indulging in warming and enveloping fragrances. This is where rich scents such as fig, amber and even tobacco come into their own in your home.
Light a candle, bring in a reed diffuser or place scent sachets in drawers to build up layers of fragrance that will make you feel cosseted and cosy.
Tell us…
What do you do to make your home feel cosy and warm in November? Tell us in the Comments section.
If summer is all about fresh, clean scents, autumn is a time for indulging in warming and enveloping fragrances. This is where rich scents such as fig, amber and even tobacco come into their own in your home.
Light a candle, bring in a reed diffuser or place scent sachets in drawers to build up layers of fragrance that will make you feel cosseted and cosy.
Tell us…
What do you do to make your home feel cosy and warm in November? Tell us in the Comments section.
More often than not, we begin to think about renovation projects as the weather warms up and everything emerges from winter hibernation. The savvy renovator, however, knows the best way to get ahead of the game is to start planning and organising your project the winter before you want the work to start.
Be it an extension, kitchen renovation or decorating project, you can use the quieter winter months to do your research, book professionals, and get your finances sorted, so you’re ready to hit the ground running as soon as the warmer weather arrives.
Find a design professional in your area today.