There is something about fall that makes me want to hit the reset button. After a busy summer of changing schedules, vacations, family activities, and trying to enjoy every bit of warm weather, I am usually ready for a little more structure. This fall reset checklist is a simple way to refresh your home, routines, and schedule without feeling like you have to overhaul your life completely.
For me, a fall reset isn’t about getting everything perfectly organized or adding a long list of things to my already busy schedule. It is simply about taking a look around, deciding what needs a little attention, and making a few changes that will make the next few months easier and more enjoyable.
And honestly, I think this becomes even more important as we get older. Our homes, routines, and priorities change over the years. What worked for us a few years ago may not work quite as well today.
So rather than trying to do everything at once, choose a few things from this list that would make the biggest difference for you.
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Why a Fall Reset Checklist Can Make The Season Easier
Fall naturally feels like a fresh start.
The days are getting shorter, temperatures are cooling down, summer activities are winding down, and many of us find ourselves settling back into more familiar routines.
It is also a good time to get a few things in order before the holidays arrive. I would much rather spend a little time in September or October getting my home and schedule organized than realize in November that there are a million things I should have done weeks ago.
Keep in mind, your fall reset does not have to happen in one weekend. Pick one area at a time and work through the checklist at your own pace.
Fall Home Reset Checklist
1. Put Away the Summer Things You Are Finished Using
Start with the easy stuff.
Look around your home for things that belong to summer but probably won’t be used again until next year.
This might include:
- Summer clothing
- Beach towels and pool accessories
- Outdoor entertaining items
- Summer decorations
- Gardening supplies
- Seasonal shoes
- Vacation items
You don’t have to put every summer item away immediately. Just getting some of the obvious things out of the way can make your home feel less cluttered.
If you have been meaning to tackle a larger decluttering project, you might also enjoy my guide on how to declutter in one day.
2. Give Your Entryway a Fall Refresh
Your entryway tends to work a little harder once fall arrives.
Suddenly there are jackets, sweaters, boots, umbrellas, bags, and all the other things that seem to accumulate by the door.
Take a few minutes to clear out anything that doesn’t belong and make room for the things you will actually be using.
A basket for shoes, a few hooks for jackets, or a small tray for keys can make a surprisingly big difference.
You don’t need a completely new entryway. Sometimes it just needs a little editing.
3. Refresh Your Home With a Few Cozy Fall Touches
This is the fun part.
You don’t need to redecorate your entire house every season. A few small changes can make your home feel ready for fall.
Try:
- Bringing out a cozy throw blanket
- Changing a few pillows
- Adding a fall wreath
- Displaying a bowl of seasonal fruit
- Bringing in a few natural elements
- Adding warm lighting
- Putting out a favorite fall candle (be sure it’s non-toxic)
- Swapping a few summer accessories for fall ones
If you are decorating on a budget, be sure to check out my post on Decorating for Fall on a Budget. I share simple ways to make your home feel festive without buying a whole new collection of fall decorations.
4. Create One Cozy Spot You Will Actually Use
Instead of trying to make every room in your house feel like fall, choose one small area that makes you happy.
Maybe it’s your favorite chair with a soft blanket and a stack of books.
Maybe it is a little corner where you enjoy your morning coffee.
Or maybe it is simply the couch where you can curl up with a cozy blanket and your sweet cat or dog on a cool fall day.
It doesn’t have to be Pinterest perfect. It just needs to be a place you enjoy being.
Fall Kitchen Reset Checklist
5. Clean Out the Pantry and Refrigerator
Fall is a great time to take a closer look at what is hiding in your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer.
Check expiration dates, toss anything that has seen better days, and group similar items together.
You may also discover that you already have plenty of ingredients for some of those fall recipes you’ve been wanting to make.
This is one of those jobs that isn’t particularly exciting, but it feels really good when it’s finished.
6. Take Inventory of Your Kitchen
While you’re cleaning out the pantry, take a quick inventory of what you actually have.
How many cans of pumpkin do you need?
Do you have enough flour and sugar for holiday baking?
What about broth, canned vegetables, pasta, rice, or your favorite soup ingredients?
I created a Kitchen Inventory Bundle in my Etsy shop to make this easier. It can help you keep track of what you have on hand, so you’re not buying duplicates or standing in the grocery store wondering whether you already have three cans of tomato sauce at home.
This is especially helpful heading into the busy holiday season.
7. Make a Short List of Easy Fall Meals
You don’t need to create a complicated meal plan for the entire season.
Instead, make a list of 10 or 15 meals your family enjoys during the cooler months.
Think:
- Soups
- Chili
- Slow cooker meals
- Sheet pan dinners
- Roasted vegetables
- Pasta dishes
- Simple casseroles
Having a few dependable meals on your list makes those busy evenings much easier.
Fall Organization Checklist for Your Schedule
8. Look at Your Calendar Before Fall Gets Busy
Before the calendar fills up, take a look at the next couple of months.
Add:
- Appointments
- Birthdays
- Family activities
- School or grandchild activities
- Work commitments
- Holidays
- Travel
- Events you want to attend
This is also a good time to look for weeks that are already particularly busy.
Knowing what’s coming can help you avoid saying yes to too many things later.
9. Revisit Your Daily Routines
Your routines may need a little adjustment when the seasons change.
Maybe you want to get outside for your walk earlier in the day while the weather is comfortable.
Maybe you want to start making dinner a little earlier as the days get shorter.
Maybe you want to bring back a few habits that slipped during the summer.
You don’t need to create an entirely new routine.
If you already have a morning routine and evening routine that work for you, simply look at whether they still fit your schedule now that fall is approaching.
10. Refresh Your Planner
Fall is a great time to get your planner back in order.
Take a few minutes to look at:
- Upcoming appointments
- Important dates
- Family activities
- Work deadlines
- Holiday plans
- Personal projects
- Things you’ve been putting off
I also find it helpful to write down a few things I would like to do during the fall that aren’t obligations.
Maybe it’s visiting a favorite fall market, taking a scenic drive, going apple picking, or spending an afternoon baking.
Those little things are often what make the season memorable.
If you enjoy planning and organizing your days, you can also take a look at my Time Block Planner in my Etsy shop.
Fall Wardrobe Reset Checklist
11. Take a Look at Your Fall Clothes
Before you start shopping for new fall clothes, see what you already have.
Pull out your sweaters, jackets, jeans, boots, and other cooler-weather clothing.
As you go through everything, ask yourself:
- Does it still fit?
- Have I worn it in the last year or two?
- Is it comfortable?
- Do I still like it?
- Does it work with the way I dress now?
Our wardrobes change as our lives change.
There is no reason to hang onto something simply because it was expensive or because you used to wear it all the time.
If it doesn’t work for you anymore, it may be time to let it go.
12. Make a Short Shopping List
Once you know what you have, make a list of anything you actually need.
Maybe you need a new pair of boots.
Maybe your favorite sweater has seen better days.
Or maybe you don’t need anything at all.
That’s perfectly fine too.
A fall reset isn’t supposed to turn into a fall shopping spree.
Fall Beauty and Skincare Reset Checklist
13. Take a Look at Your Skincare Routine
Cooler temperatures can be a good reminder to take another look at your skincare routine.
If your skin tends to feel drier as the weather changes, you may want to make sure you’re using products that provide the hydration your skin needs.
This can also be a good time to check expiration dates and get rid of products you have been hanging onto but rarely use.
I like using the change of seasons as a reminder to simplify my beauty routine rather than continually adding more products.
If you’re interested in why I think skincare is about more than just healthy-looking skin, you might enjoy my post, “Why Skincare Is Important: Prioritizing Self-Care for Confidence That Lasts.“
14. Clean Out Your Makeup Bag
When was the last time you really looked inside your makeup bag?
Pull everything out and check for:
- Products you no longer use
- Old or dried-out mascara
- Lip products you don’t like
- Broken items
- Products that are past their useful life
Give the bag itself a good cleaning too.
A few minutes of sorting can make getting ready in the morning much easier.
A Simple Personal Fall Reset Checklist
While this isn’t meant to be another self-care checklist, I do think a seasonal reset should include a little time to think about what you want the season to look like.
15. Decide What You Want More Of This Fall
This doesn’t have to be a big goal.
Maybe you want more time with family, more evenings at home, to get back to reading, more time outdoors, or fewer commitments.
Choose one or two things that matter to you and keep them in mind as the season gets busier.
16. Decide What You Want Less Of
This can be just as useful.
Is there something that consistently makes your weeks more stressful?
Are you overcommitted?
Is there a household task that you could simplify?
Are you spending too much time on something that doesn’t really matter to you?
Fall can be a good time to make a small change before the holidays arrive.
17. Make a Fall Bucket List
And don’t forget to leave room for fun.
One of my favorite things about fall is that there are so many simple things to look forward to.
You don’t need an expensive vacation or elaborate plans.
A pumpkin patch, a fall walk, baking something from scratch, watching a favorite movie, visiting a farmers market, or having a cozy evening with family can be enough.
If you want some ideas, I created a Free Fall Bucket List Printable with simple things to enjoy throughout the season. You can get your copy below.
Your Fall Reset Checklist at a Glance
You don’t need to tackle everything on this list, and definitely don’t feel like you need to do it all in one weekend. Think of this as a menu of ideas you can come back to throughout September and October.
Around the House
Start with the spaces you use most.
Put away summer items, clear out one cluttered area, refresh your entryway, and add a few simple fall touches that make your home feel warm and welcoming.
In the Kitchen
Get your kitchen ready for cooler-weather cooking.
Clean out the pantry and refrigerator, check what you already have on hand, take a quick kitchen inventory, and make a short list of easy fall meals your family enjoys.
On Your Calendar
Take a look at what’s coming before the season gets busy.
Add appointments, birthdays, family activities, holidays, and other commitments to your calendar. Then look for a little space for the things you actually want to do this fall.
In Your Closet
Make getting dressed for cooler weather easier.
Pull out your fall clothes and try on anything you’re unsure about. Keep what fits your life now, pass along what you no longer wear, and make a list of anything you truly need before you go shopping.
In Your Beauty Routine
Give your skincare and makeup a quick seasonal review.
Check your skincare products, clean out your makeup bag, get rid of anything you no longer use, and consider whether your skincare routine needs a little adjustment for cooler weather.
For Fall Fun
Leave some room for the things that make fall enjoyable.
Make a fall bucket list, plan a favorite seasonal outing, invite family or friends over, take a scenic drive, bake something you love, or simply enjoy a quiet afternoon at home.
And One Last Thing
Ask yourself what would make this fall feel good to you.
Maybe it’s a less cluttered kitchen. More evenings at home. A better-organized calendar. More time with your family. Or simply having a little more breathing room in your week.
There is no right or wrong answer.
The point of a fall reset isn’t to create more things to accomplish. It’s to make a few thoughtful changes so you can enjoy the season a little more.
Pick one area and start there. You’ll be surprised how much difference even a small reset can make.
Frequently Asked Questions About a Fall Reset Checklist
What should be included in a fall reset checklist?
A fall reset checklist can include simple tasks for refreshing your home, kitchen, wardrobe, schedule, and routines. You can also include a few seasonal activities you want to enjoy. Choose the areas that would make the biggest difference for you.
How do I start my fall reset checklist?
Start with the area that needs your attention most. Maybe it’s your kitchen, closet, calendar, or entryway. Choose one small project and work from there instead of trying to reset your entire home at once.
Do I need to complete my fall reset checklist all at once?
Not at all. In fact, doing a little at a time is much more realistic. Choose one drawer, closet, room, or part of your schedule and tackle it when you have the time. Your fall reset checklist is a guide, not another long list of things you have to finish.
A Fall Reset Doesn’t Have to Be a Big Project
I think it’s easy to see a seasonal checklist and immediately think we need to get everything done.
We don’t.
You don’t need to spend an entire weekend cleaning every closet, reorganizing your entire kitchen, and completely changing your routines.
Choose one drawer, one closet, one afternoon, one thing on your calendar that you can simplify.
Those small changes add up.
For me, the best kind of fall reset is the one that makes everyday life feel a little easier, and my home feel a little more comfortable. And once those things are taken care of, there is more room to enjoy what I love most about this time of year.
A cozy evening at home. A beautiful fall day. Time with the people I love. And maybe a little cuddle time with my pups.
That’s a pretty good reset to me.
Now I’m curious: what would make the biggest difference for you this fall? Maybe it’s getting your kitchen organized, clearing out a closet, getting your calendar back in order, or simply making your home feel a little cozier.
Other Posts You May Enjoy
Decorating for Fall on a Budget
Simple ways to make your home feel cozy and ready for fall without spending a fortune.
25 Fall Self-Care Ideas
Easy ways to enjoy the season and make a little more time for yourself.
50 Fall Journaling Prompts
Thoughtful prompts to help you reflect, get your thoughts on paper, and enjoy a little quiet time.
75 Fall Bucket List Ideas
Simple fall activities and ideas to help you make the most of the season.
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