How to Prep Your Home for Daylight Saving Time Changes in November 2026
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That’s right, it’s that time of year again already! Daylight saving time comes to an end on Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 2:00 a.m. local. At that time, you’ll set your clocks one hour back to officially mark the end of daylight saving time for the year. While we prep for it to get darker earlier, there are a few things you can do to make the transition easier. Below, we’ve put together a handy guide of tips, tricks, and favorite products that will keep you cozy for the season ahead.
These genius hacks and ideas will not only help make the adjustment easier, but they’ll keep your home (and sleep schedule!) in check, too. Think smart alarm clocks that wake you with the sunrise; seasonal to-dos we often forget like flipping the mattress; swapping your sheets for cozier fabrics that keep you warm; and reversing the ceiling fans to make the most of your home heating. With the quick and easy swaps below, you can make this new schedule work for you—instead of having to suffer through the daylight saving jetlag.
Keep the Floors Warm and Cozy
One of the simplest ways to keep your space warm in the wintertime is by layering in more fabrics, and that includes on your floors. It’s incredible what a large area rug can do to make your home feel more comfortable (and keep your toes warmer, too!). Go for ultra-comfortable fibers like wool, faux fur or faux sheepskin, and high-pile polyester to stay extra cozy.
Layer Your Lighting to Set the Mood
When it gets dark out earlier, the easiest way to keep the house feeling light and comfortable is with layered lighting. Add in a couple table lamps or floor lamps, candle warmer lamps, or some under-cabinet lighting with soft white bulbs to keep your space from feeling dark and dreary—and up the cozy factor, too!
Swap Your Regular Drapes for Blackout Curtains
When temps drop, blackout curtains or room darkening curtains can be a hero in both style and functionality. While moody colors and seasonal fabrics will complement your decor, the heavy fabric helps to insulate your space and can even help lower energy costs. Pro tip: Hang your curtain rod at the highest point on the wall (rather than the top of the window) to visually elongate your walls and make your room appear larger!
Add Fresh Florals to Breathe Life Into the Space
A dreary, dark winter calls for fresh florals to breathe some life and color back into your space! Choose fresh (or faux) flowers, seasonal stems, or even pretty dried bouquets in seasonal colors to make your rooms feel connected to the cozy months to come. A fun new vase is a great excuse to keep fresh flowers in the home every week, too.
Swap Your Bed Linens for Warmer Fabrics
The end of daylight saving time means cooler days and even colder nights. To stay cozy and comfortable, swap out your lightweight summer bedding for a cozy set of sheets in fabrics that best fit winter (think cotton, flannel, or bamboo). You can even embrace the season with seasonal patterns and motifs, like snowmen or Christmas trees, plaid or tartan, and classic stripes or gingham.
Change Out Pillow Covers for Seasonal Patterns
Swapping your pillow covers for seasonal patterns, cozy fabrics, and moody colors is a fun, fresh way to allude to the winter season without much investment. Hello, thick winter knits and chunky faux fur blankets! A few new throw pillow covers on the couch; a seasonal candle burning in the background; and a holiday movie marathon on the TV? We’re so there.
Give Your Sleep Space an Upgrade
Now’s a better time than ever to upgrade your bedroom space, not just with comfortable bedding, but also with a new mattress, bedroom set, or headboard, if need be. 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 the one in your tween’s bedroom? Chances are, someone in the house would benefit from a better bed.
Invest In 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? Absolutely! 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does daylight saving time work?
In most of the United States (other than Hawaii, most of Arizona, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands), we set our clocks ahead one hour in the summer months to make better use of longer daylight hours. This marks the beginning of daylight saving time. And in the winter months, we set our clocks back one hour to mark the end of DST.
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Bree Pulver O'Hagan
Bree is the Senior Digital Editor at DrewandJonathan.com. In the past, she’s worked for publications focused on home improvement and sustainable living. Bree’s Pinterest board is filled with cozy textures; vintage patterns; sculptural furniture; and moody, warm-toned colors. She has a degree concentrated in the intersection of writing and architecture, which influences her passion for exploring creative solutions to unusual home layouts and stylish renter-friendly decor. She’s a self-proclaimed pro at finding the best antique furniture in the most unlikely of places (but her cat Blue can certainly back these claims).
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