As the days get cooler and shorter, you’ll want to prep your home for fall. Complete these simple tasks and your home will be cozier and more beautiful in the months ahead.

Spruce up your main entrance

It’s a good idea to clean and prepare your home’s front or most-used entrance for the months ahead. Scrub away grime and dirt from your front door and entryway floor and walls. If you like, you could add a fresh coat of paint to your front door and hang a fall welcome sign, wreath, or other decor. Place a shoe and coat rack just inside your front door to keep jackets, boots, and other outerwear organized. If the weather in your area can dip below freezing at night, have a container of rock salt on hand to keep walkways clear of ice.

Do some planting

Plant a few spring-blooming bulbs like daffodils and tulips this fall, and you will be treated to a bouquet of beautiful flowers come spring. You’ll want to plant your bulbs six to eight weeks before the soil begins to freeze in your area. You could also plant some fall annuals to bring more autumn color to your gardens. While you are at it, add a layer of mulch to your flower beds to help keep your bulbs and other plants warm this winter.

Prep your patio

You can enjoy your patio or deck this fall, even as the temperature gets cooler. First, clean away dirt that might have accumulated over the summer. A fire pit, patio heater, or outdoor fireplace will warm up the space, while a hot tub, outdoor television, and string lights will make your outdoor space an ideal entertaining spot.

Let in some fresh air

Open the windows for a bit and let some fresh air into your home before the autumn air turns chilly. Shine up your windows with a homemade cleaning solution of one part vinegar and two parts water, and switch out lightweight summer curtains for heavier ones.

Spot clean

You may notice scuffs, dirty fingerprints, and other marks on your doors, walls, and baseboards. Take a few minutes to clean these areas off with some mild dish soap mixed in with water.

Check your furnace filter

You’ll want to make sure that your furnace filter is clean or have it replaced this fall to purify the air you breathe and to help your furnace work optimally, saving energy and money. You should also vacuum or wipe off your heating vents so dust won’t get spewed into your home when the heating system turns on.

Inspect fire extinguishers

A crackling fire and glowing candles can make a fall home feel cozy, but these items can be a fire hazard. So make sure you have a fire extinguisher in working order on each floor of your home, ideally one in your kitchen and one close to your fireplace. Also, if you don’t have a fire-evacuation plan for your home, make one now.

Switch out your clothes

If you have a large wardrobe, now is the time to think about finding where you stashed away your fall sweaters, coats, and shoes, and pack up and store your bathing suits, shorts, and other summer clothing.

Bring in warmer textiles

Fall is perfect for snuggling underneath a blanket while reading a book or watching a movie, so take your warm throws and bed linens out of storage or go shopping for new ones. If you have hardwood, vinyl, or tile floors, use area rugs to add warmth and softness underneath your feet.

Clean up after your pet

If you own a pet, chances are they make a mess around the house. Take a few minutes to pick up after them and wash items that might otherwise not get cleaned as often, such as their pet beds, leashes, and toys—your home will look neater and smell fresher.

Think safety

Now that the days are getting shorter, you might want to beef up your home’s security. Install outdoor solar lights around the exterior of your home, ensure that your door and window locks are functioning properly, and think about getting a home-security system that’s easy and quick to install.