Fall 2025
By Lauren Hurwitz
The season of hosting is right around the corner, and there’s still time to get your home in tip-top shape. Whether you’re prepping for overnight guests, festive dinners, or simply want to feel more at ease in your space, local experts say fall is the ideal time for a home refresh. From deep cleaning and decluttering to breathing new life into your walls with a fresh coat of paint, here’s how to make your home feel beautiful, cozy, and guest-ready.
Step One: Clean and Declutter with Natalie Villanueva of Haven & Co. Home Services
Based in New Rochelle, Natalie Villanueva is the owner of Haven & Co., offering luxury home organizing, Airbnb turnover, and move-in/move-out services. With a background in television production and an eye for detail, Villanueva brings both efficiency and aesthetics to every project. “The fall is the perfect time to do a head-to-toe clean,” she says. “You’re not battling summer heat, and you’re gearing up for a season of entertaining.”
Villanueva recommends tackling one room or task at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed. For example: “Dedicate a Saturday to deep-cleaning appliances and the kitchen, then hit the living room the next weekend.” She also advises prioritizing commonly neglected areas like baseboards, door frames, air vents, windows, and even rotating your mattresses.
One of her favorite fall projects? Clearing out garages and basements while it’s still cool enough for heavy lifting. “I love sorting through summer treasures and helping clients make decisions about what to keep, toss, or donate.”
Her must-have tools? The Pink Stuff for deep cleaning behind appliances, Method’s Lemongrass Citron spray for eco-friendly freshness, her Bissell cordless vacuum, and the EasyWring Mop, which she swears makes mopping feel, “like cleaning with a pillow.”
Step TWO: Refresh and Reinvigorate with Meredith Royall of LIME Painting of Westchester
Once your home is clean and decluttered, it’s the perfect time to look around and ask: Could this space use a little extra love?
Enter Meredith Royall, owner of LIME Painting of Westchester, a luxury surface restoration company that works on everything from drywall and cabinetry to stucco and brick. “Fall is the best time for interior painting,” Royall explains. “As the days get darker, people want lighter, more uplifting spaces.”
One popular trend this season? Limewash — a mineral-based paint that creates a handmade, wellness-inspired look. “It blends warm and cool neutrals like terracotta and gives a beautiful, artisanal texture,” says Royall. It’s especially popular on brick, but before starting, she urges homeowners to have their masonry evaluated to ensure the surface is stable.
Not ready for a full transformation? Try a limewash accent wall in a bedroom to dip your toe in. Royall recommends Sherwin Williams’ Sunbleached, a soft, balanced neutral that pairs well with a variety of styles.
Another emerging trend is color drenching, where the walls, trim, and even ceiling are painted in the same bold hue. “It creates a dramatic, contemporary feel,” she says.
For those not looking to repaint an entire room, cabinet refinishing is another great fall project. “You can brighten up your kitchen just by changing the cabinet color — no full renovation needed,” Royall says. “It adds value without the stress or cost of a gut job.”
Because LIME Painting offers white-glove service — including free color consultations and project management from start to finish — homeowners can enjoy a high-end refresh without lifting a finger, even during the busiest time of year.
Cleaning and painting may seem like small changes, but together, they can transform your home just in time for the holidays. Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply craving a cozier space for the cooler months ahead, fall is the perfect season to reset and refresh.