Fall Back! How to Prep Your Home for Daylight Saving Time Changes in 2024
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It’s that time of year again! No, we’re not talking about dressing up for Halloween parties and picking apples at harvest festivals… We’re talking about daylight saving time. In the United States, we set our clocks ahead one hour in the summer months to better our use of longer daylight hours. (This marks the beginning of daylight savings.) And in the winter months, we set our clocks back one hour when daylight savings ends. This year, daylight saving time will end at 2:00 AM local on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Yes, it can be hard to get used to the new daytime hours, or when it starts to get darker earlier. But we have the best tips to make the adjustment a little easier.
Adding cozy pieces, like blankets, pillows, and other knit fabrics, can create layers of comfort. Patterned duvet covers and textured window coverings will help keep you warm while the weather gets cold (plus, they act as a little style statement). Hacking your home to fit this new winter schedule doesn’t have to be difficult. With a few simple tricks, you can make these new daytime hours more comfortable, so you don’t have to suffer through the shift. With a few quick decor additions, you’ll be in sync with your new schedule in no time.
Sheer Curtains for the Living Room
Mornings are going to be brighter now, which means the sunrise will peek through your window about an hour earlier than usual. If you want to ensure your living room still gets some natural light, then a sheer or semi-sheer curtain will allow the sun to shine in a bit more than a heavier curtain would. And that will create a warm welcome when you finally get out of bed and head to the kitchen to get your much-needed coffee. If you’re worried about privacy, you can always add some shades or blinds that you can pull closed at night or as need be.
Blackout Curtains for the Bedroom
Meanwhile, in the bedroom, you might want to keep your room cozy and dark while you sleep. Beautiful blackout curtains like these can complement your style and decor while also blocking out unwanted sunlight or moonlight. Plus, incorporating a thick, textured panel to your windows will add interest. Bonus tip: Hang your curtain rod at the highest point on the wall (rather than the top of the window) to elongate your walls and make your room appear larger.
Soft, Cozy Bed Sheets and Blankets
The end of daylight saving time usually also indicates cold weather approaching soon. Cozy up and wrap your mattress in fabrics that will keep you warm while you sleep. Flannel sheets, knit throws, and/or adding a duvet cover in a classic pattern, like stripes, will elevate your bedroom as well as keep your sleep space comfortable.
All the Comfiest Pillows
It’s easy for your sleep schedule to start to slip with the time change. But a fresh set of pillows or a new throw pillow cover for the couch can turn your home into the cozy palace you need to feel at ease in these chillier months ahead. Something as simple and easy as changing out a pillowcase really can make all the difference.
Plenty of Lighting
While the days are getting darker earlier, you’re going to want to keep your house feeling bright and warm inside. Not only will table lamps and floor lamps keep each room bright, but adding some variety of lighting throughout each room will also help give your home a cozier ambiance. Portable lamps are also great to keep around, so you can make any corner of your home comfy whenever needed.
Give Your Sleep Space an Upgrade
Now’s a better time than ever to upgrade your bedroom space, not just with soft bedding, but also with a new mattress, bedroom set, or headboard, if need be. Cozy season is here, and you deserve a good night’s sleep, after all! Plus, it’s not just your bedroom that might need an upgrade. How long has it been since you replaced the guest room mattress? How about your tween? Chances are, someone in the house would benefit from a better sleeping space.
A New Alarm Clock
Is it easy to just use your phone as an alarm clock? Of course. But is it worth it to invest in a real one instead? 100%! When you first wake up in the morning, your brainwaves change. They’re getting adjusted to prepping for the day ahead. And research suggests that reaching for your phone when you first get up may not be the best. Sometimes, it’s not possible to avoid checking your device. But taking a small step to give yourself an extra few minutes of non-screen time, like using a real alarm clock, could make a big difference in the long run.
