Cozy up to redecorating and prepare your home for indoor entertaining

(ARA) - After months of sunshine, cookouts, beach-going and outdoor entertaining, it can be a little disappointing to realize the cool bite of fall is on its way. But warding off those cold-weather blues can be as simple as redecorating a room (or a few) to create a hideaway that you can enjoy until spring arrives. With a little time and creativity, you can create a fresh space that will outlast the dreary weather of the coming months.

Preparing a home for the coldest months of the year - whether you expect to host company for the holidays or to simply spend more time indoors - can seem daunting. But professional designer and television personality Danielle Hirsch says there is no need to fret. Hirsch, featured on Dutch Boy's new Restore My Decor.com decorating website, says there are many ways to minimize the time and expense you might associate with refreshing your home's interior. Here are just a few of her easy and affordable tips that can help bring new life to your decor.

It might sound like a cliche, but a fresh coat of interior paint can truly do wonders to renew a space. Dutch Boy's Restore My Decor.com website features advice from Hirsch to help you decide what color and design scheme is right for your room. She also offers tips to help your project run smoothly. Gathering valuable inspirational ideas from the site will ensure your interior turns out right the first time, saving you valuable time and money.

Don't stop with wall color, though. As the weather turns bleak, heat up your home design by bringing a bit of color inside. Are you conservative when it comes to design? Try accenting a neutral room with a few pieces of the same color family. If you're more daring, play with a variety of warm, bright colors. "Take cues from Mother Nature and pull colors you see from the foliage around you," Hirsch says. "Rich oranges, chocolate browns, vibrant reds and ambers - these colors bring energy as the days get darker earlier."

To create the perfect atmosphere for your cozy escape, appealing to all senses is a must. Give your entire home a warm, inviting aroma with seasonal scented candles. Liven up a dining room with a visually stimulating centerpiece or wall hanging. Or make a casual den more comfortable with overstuffed throw pillows or a faux fur rug. Adding small accents and finishing touches can completely change the ambiance of a room and turn it into an area where you'll actually enjoy spending time.

You can also take pleasure in the changing of the seasons by incorporating natural outdoor elements into your decor. "Nothing says fall like a pumpkin, and if you hollow it out, it makes a great vase," Hirsch says. She also suggests accenting a room with seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers, colorful leaves and pinecones for quick and easy ways to bring the natural beauty of autumn indoors.

"To round out your fall decorating remember that with the days getting shorter, warm lighting is essential," Hirsch says. Do a quick audit of the lighting to ensure you're making the most of your room's natural and artificial light. Introducing a new light source, whether it's a standing or table lamp, can transform the overall feel of a room and fight off the dreary gray outside your window.

Hirsch goes onto say, "This fall, don't be lulled into hibernation. Take the time you have indoors and put it to good use. Tackling interior projects now will leave your home looking beautiful and ready for family and friends for years to come."

Courtesy of ARAcontent