Homes and gardens: The perfect way to make your home and garden autumn proof

Whether you have a glorious garden or a small back yard there’s no reason why you can’t make this look gorgeous in autumn.

As the leaves change colour and the light alters from full sun to a warm wintry glow those glorious reds, browns, yellows and russet colours come into their own.

Children delight in kicking up dry leaves, collecting conkers and pine cones and multi-coloured leaves for an autumn display – and there’s no reason why adults shouldn’t miss out on the fun too.

You’ll need plenty of soft glowing lighting, candles, warm blankets, comfy cushions and cosy throws to create that wonderful cocooned feeling. And outdoors you’ll want to warm things up with outdoor heaters, a fire pit, strings of lights and plenty of warm throws and blankets to keep out the chill.

Why should toasting marshmallows and fire-baked potatoes be just for bonfire night when you can make the most of mellow autumnal evenings round the flames in your own back garden.

Holiday gift card is all you need for a cosy home and garden

If you want to create the perfect warm glow to come home to why not consider using a holiday gift card. Because it’s not just linked to one store, this gift card gives you the flexibility to choose from a range of outlets so you can find the perfect pieces to create the look you want.

And of course it’s a lovely gift to give to someone else so they can glow up their home and garden the way they like it.

Get it glowing

Lighting is so important for creating the right ambiance. Indoors soft warm glows from the right bulbs or plenty of side table lights will make any room feel warm and inviting. Candles too give the perfect soft flicker to make you feel warm inside and out. Scented candles have that extra element to make the room not only look great but smell gorgeous too. Go for woody scents that will complement the season.

Outside there’s so much you can do too, even the smallest yard can be transformed with a string of pretty white lights. But there’s so much more you can do with the wide range of solar lighting available as well as outdoor lanterns and burners.

Warmed by the flames

Whether it’s a big bonfire or a small firepit your outdoor space will be so much more inviting with a real flame on the go. Even the smallest beach barbecue set can be repurposed for autumn and makes the ideal marshmallow toaster. Just get some warm drinks – think hot chocolate or mulled wine – on the go and you’ve got an autumn party vibe at the strike of a match.

Indoors you can create the glow of a real flame even if you don’t have one. Carefully placed candles – especially the battery-powered ‘real flame’ style large church candles can be placed in groups to create a cosy flicker to give focus to the room.

Wrap up warm

You can never have too many throws and blankets! There’s absolutely no better feeling on a dark night than snuggling down in a comfy chair or stretching out on the sofa and wrapping yourself up in a luxurious throw or blanket. When they’re not in use they can look gorgeous draped stylishly over a chair arm or back of the sofa, or you could buy a wonderful wicker basket and have rolled up blankets ready to unfurl and envelop you anytime.

Why not invest in another basket to keep in the porch, by the back door, or in the garden shed or summerhouse so they’re ready to grab when the sun goes down and you want to make the most of the outdoors.

And of course, big jumpers, warm boots, chunky knits, fleeces, scarves, hats and gloves are essential autumn wear so you might want to update your wardrobe too.

Cushioned comfort

Are your sofa cushions feeling lumpy, hard and less than luxurious? Life’s too short! Treat yourself to a few luxurious cushions – velvets and chenille ones feel and look so cosy. And go for quality fillings so you can plump them up and have something really comfy to sink into.

Whether it’s the sofa, the bed or outdoor seating, you’ll always feel warmer and more wrapped up snuggling on a bed of cushions – it’s hibernation for humans!

Autumn leaves

At this time of year we tend to be pulling up dead plants, sweeping up leaves, cutting back and generally getting gardens, tubs and planters pared down and back to earth. But there are so many ways to add some autumn colour to your garden with evergreen plants, leafy plants with striking purple foliage look incredible at this time of year. And you can still get plenty of colour this time of year with autumn crocuses, winter-flowering pansies, primulas and the like.

Indoors there’s nothing better than a bright red or pink Poinsettia to give a splash of colour to a room.

Think ahead to next year and look for plants that will give you berries and colour at this time of year and don’t think you have to cut everything back. Some plants leave behind seed-heads with stunning structural shapes – not only can they look incredible in winter sunlight or with morning frost or dew on, but the birds will thank you too.

And now is the time to plant your spring bulbs for a colourful post-winter display.

Give yourself a gift

Whatever you need for your home and garden this autumn a gift card is a great way to purchase the perfect items to suit your personal style.