The Designer's Guide to Caring for Your Home Throughout the Seasons

A home is meant to be lived in, loved, and enjoyed. Over time, everyday life naturally leaves its mark on the furnishings, textiles, and finishes that make your space feel uniquely yours. Regular maintenance not only preserves the appearance of your furniture and décor but also extends their lifespan and protects their value. With a few intentional seasonal habits, you can help preserve the beauty, comfort, and character of your home for years to come.

Spring: Refresh and Renew

After a season spent indoors, spring is the perfect time to reset and refresh the spaces you use every day.

• Professionally clean upholstery and drapery

• Fluff and rotate all upholstery cushions

• Launder and swap seasonal bedding

• Dust lamps, shades, art, and decorative interior and exterior lighting

• Clean all cabinetry to remove dirt and oils

• Freshen up paint in high traffic areas in the home

Summer: Protect Against Sun and Wear

Longer days and increased activity make summer an ideal time to focus on protecting your home from seasonal wear.

• Clean and seal any outdoor wood furniture such as teak

• Inspect, clean, and replace outdoor cushions and furniture for entertainment season

• Monitor rooms with direct sunlight and adjust window treatments as needed to minimize fading on furnishings

• Remove hard water buildup from shower glass and apply a protective treatment

• Apply protective treatments to any indoor or outdoor textiles as needed to prevent staining

  
  

Fall: Preparing for the Festive Season Ahead

As temperatures begin to cool, fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for the hosting of friends and family to celebrate the holiday season.

• Inspect and clean fireplaces before their first use

• Seal marble and stone countertops and floors

• Inspect cabinets and furnishings for repairs and loose knobs and hinges and address minor repairs before the holiday season

• Refresh bedding, throws, and seasonal textiles

• Inspect bathroom grout for necessary cleaning and repairs to protect from deterioration and water damage

• Vacuum and spot treat upholstery and rugs or professionally clean if needed

• Fluff and rotate upholstery cushions

  
  

  

Winter: Preserve and Protect

Winter is the perfect time to focus on caring for the materials and finishes that bring warmth and character to your home.

• Launder and swap seasonal bedding

• Clean, wax, and condition wood furniture

• Condition leather upholstery

• Professionally clean and rotate all rugs

• Protect surfaces with coasters, trays, and felt pads

• Dust all artwork, blinds, window treatments, and light fixtures

• Rotate seasonal accessories and change out family photos

• Clean and polish silver and brass pieces as needed

A well-loved home doesn't stay beautiful by accident. A little seasonal attention can help your furnishings and finishes age gracefully, allowing you to enjoy them for years to come.

Feel free to download my Quarterly Home Care Calendar below as a helpful guide for caring for your home throughout the year.

Hill House Design Quarterly Home Care Calendar.pdf

Download PDF • 43KB

Warmly,

Carrie