The season will soon be changing, and it just feels right to follow its lead (goodness, I went on a hike today and there were fallen leaves crunching under my feet everywhere due to a lack of rain!). I’m sharing an assortment of late summer cleaning, organization helps, and home improvement tasks which may need to be tackled by you (or your staff!). Oh, and not one of them mentions WINDOWS…yippeeee-ki-yayyy! Late Summer Simple Spruce Ups for Home is comin’ at ya.
![Exterior of our Nordic style cottage exterior with French Courtyard. Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/hello-lovely-studio-fall-inspiration-0023-1440x2160.jpg)
This post contains affiliate links which I hope you will use since they won’t cost you a penny extra yet may earn this blog a small commission.
Late Summer Simple Spruce Ups!
![Brené Brown quote about empathy, courage, boundaries and vulnerability on Hello Lovely Studio. #empathyquotes #selfkindness #brenebrownquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BRENE-BROWN-personal-growth-quotes-boundaries-people-pleasing-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Decluttering & Organization
I share details HERE about decluttering after reading this great book which approaches organization from a realistic perspective that addresses emotional aspects .
![Shabby chic white living room with Ektorp sofa (Ikea) with custom Belgian linen slipcover (Bemz) - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/hello-lovely-studio-arizona-living-room-017.jpg)
One of the easiest places to begin to clear clutter as we edge closer to autumn is with summer clothing and warm weather items such as outdoor pillows and patio furniture.
![French country garden with bench and stone wall - Hello Lovely.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/hello-lovely-garden-boxwood-bench.jpg)
If storage is an issue, these under-bed containers are handy and keep contents dust-free.
![Girls bedroom with garden floral (Pillowfort) quilt, upholstered headboard, Paris framed print, and sweet ballerina and unicorn pillows - Hello Lovely Studio. #girlsroom](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/00001-fall-decor-hello-lovely-breakfast-nook-girl-bedroom-quilt-pillowfort.jpg)
These containers can store things beyond clothing and are especially nice if you have downsized.
![Shop the look of my DIY closet with these storage finds - Hello Lovely Studio. #closetessentials #customclosets](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/shop-the-look-hello-lovely-studio-custom-diy-closet-banner.jpg)
As far as organizing small items in closets and on shelves, I discovered these good looking storage bins that resemble matte ceramic to upgrade my dollar store old ones:
They were just the right size for our upgraded closets (read about them HERE and HERE).
![Superio white ribbed storage bin with lid in my organized closet - Hello Lovely Studio. #closetstorage #storagebins](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/superio-storage-bin-in-my-closet-hello-lovely-studio-001.jpg)
The ribbed design sets them apart.
![Superio white ribbed storage bin with lid in my organized closet - Hello Lovely Studio. #closetstorage #storagebins](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/superio-storage-bin-in-my-closet-hello-lovely-studio-002.jpg)
And the lids lie flat so you can stack these babies!
![Superio white ribbed storage bin with lid in my organized closet - Hello Lovely Studio. #closetstorage #storagebins](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/superio-storage-bin-in-my-closet-hello-lovely-studio-003.jpg)
![Shop the Look of Hello Lovely's cloffice. #clofficeideas #homeoffice #getthelook](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SHOP-THE-LOOK-closet-cloffice-hello-lovely-studio-banner.jpg)
Refresh That Bed Pillow
Fresh new pillows for autumn! There’s just nothing like the fresh goodness of a luxurious pillow. My personal favorite is HERE.
![Give the Gift of Luxe Sleep - Hello Lovely Studio](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/give-the-gift-of-luxe-sleep-hello-lovely-studio-banner.jpg)
Spruce Up the Range
![Classic white kitchen with Viatera quartz countertop (Minuet) and Shaker style cabinetry - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/minuet-viatera-quart-countertop-hello-lovely-studio-11.jpg)
I never said this list would be glamorous…ha! I’m good about cleaning the cooktop daily, but with all my pizza making, the oven can get crunchy.
Late summer may be perfect for a self-cleaning oven since you can open a window. Cleaning it by hand? Wear gloves and a mask. Play soothing music and think about a sweet little reward you’ll treat yourself to when that oven sparkles.
![Personal growth quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #growthquotes #personalgrowth](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/038-personal-growth-quotes-inspirational-hello-lovely-studio-grow-through.jpg)
Freshen the Frig
![Classic white kitchen with Viatera quartz countertop (Minuet) - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/minuet-viatera-quart-countertop-hello-lovely-studio-3c.jpg)
It’s my least favorite thing to do so I can talk myself out of it masterfully. Yet every single time I break down and finally clean the refrigerator, I am amazed how it doesn’t require an entire day.
This makes the task far easier:
Sometimes it is motivating to watch a demo for cleaning that big boy.
![Encouragement quote on Hello Lovely Studio - focus on step in front of you, not whole staircase. #encouragementquote #strugglequotes #personagrowthquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/funny-quote-midlife-aging-quotes-hello-lovely-studio-step-in-front-staircase.jpg)
Assess the Towel Situation
![Industrial farmhouse metal chair, white painted farm table, and woven round placemat in my kitchen - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/IMG_7618.jpg)
Fresh new towels can be one of those ‘everyday lovely’ essentials to elevate and create calm.
![Set of 6 Liliane blue kitchen dishtowels](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81iZ-GkDJQL._SL1500_.jpg)
I have my eye on these high quality towels for our bath, and I love that you can try them out for 30 days:
If your bathrobe needs a spruce up…
![Inspirational quote by Cleo Wade on Hello Lovely. #quotes #empowermentquotes #peacequotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/inspirational-quote-hello-lovely-studio-cleo-wade-list-do-belong-you.jpg)
![French farmhouse style courtyard with pea gravel, bench, boxwood, and galvanized farmhouse buckets - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2017-06-07-15.28.52.jpg)
My Favorite Tool for the Porch
Pick a mild and less windy day to sweep, or clear debris with my favorite tool for the porch: a ZoomBroom.
I have used it every day this summer so our front porch has stayed nice and tidy. The light weight of it makes the quick chore easy for me, and nothing to plug in! I store it in the closet near the front door, and it’s a pain-free part of my daily sprucing.
Pretty & Durable Planters
We have two of these these planters from Home Depot on the front porch flanking the front door, and anything paced inside looks fabulous. They can be left out year-round, which truly helps if your storage is limited.
![Inspirational quote by C. S. Lewis on Hello Lovely Studio about dreams.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/blue-grey-quote-c-s-lewis-dream.jpg)
Shower Sprucing
Even though it’s a small thing, it can deliver a big payoff. Changing out a new shower curtain liner each year only takes about 5 minutes!
I prefer the fabric liners since they can easily be tossed in the wash. However, if you prefer a traditional heavyweight liner:
Change Those Filters
Wherever you have filters, make sure you have fresh ones. The furnace is an obvious place to start, but also check any ice maker, vacuum, and vent hood filters (mine get greasy quickly!)
![Our French country courtyard with pea gravel, stone wall, bench, and boxwood - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2017-06-07-13.29.29.jpg)
![Brené Brown quote about empathy, courage, boundaries and vulnerability on Hello Lovely Studio. #empathyquotes #faithquotes #brenebrownquotes](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BRENE-BROWN-personal-growth-quotes-faith-pain-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
Trim Touch Ups
This is a task I tend to dread it because it always feels as though it will take weeks whereas a whole lot can be done in a single day.
Here is my favorite paint brush for any number of jobs:
![Inspirational quote about faith on Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/gull-wing-grey-quote-until-God-opens-next-door.jpg)
Garden Spruce Ups
One of the things I appreciate about this home is that the lot is fully landscaped. I’m no master gardener, but I can clearly see which weeds need to go and which foliage to clear away.
And just a reminder that gardening burns like 800 calories an hour. Something to think about if apple pies and cider donuts are in your autumnal future…apple recipes HERE.
![Apple cake flatlay in beautiful warm autumn tones - Victoria Holmgren for Lovely Life Sweden. #autumnflatlay #applecake #slowliving](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/viktoria-holmgren-lovely-life-sweden-blog-apple-cake-in-fall-autumn.jpg)
![French courtyard with stone wall, boxwood, pea gravel, and bench - Hello Lovely Studio.](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2017-06-07-15.32.45.jpg)
Have a list like this you tackle before Fall?
![Tricia Hersey quote about rest and productivity on Hello Lovely Studio - @thenapministry. #triciahersey](https://www.hellolovelystudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/001-tricia-hersey-quote-rest-shame-hello-lovely-studio.jpg)
If you’re ready to think happy thoughts of fall, make sure you see THIS with DIY, crafts, and related inspiration. And for a head start on holiday inspo, visit this post.
Pssst. Even though I assured you there would be no windows mentioned in the spruce-ups, if you do decide to clean them…
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!
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