Do you find the holiday decorating that's ahead of you stressful? Shorter days inspire seasonal decorating ideas. One of autumn's calling cards is the change in sunlight when it loses summer's white glare and shows orange shades. Leaves' greens turn pale or yellow and the notion of adding color to your home opens up ideas for decorating. Shopping in grocery stores makes you want to visualize orange, reds, and warm brown colors in your kitchen. Tracey McBride, author of Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons, gives some "warm up to autumn" pointers: slipcover your down comforter in a warming flannel and cluster candles on a plant stand in the fireplace. She also recommends adding scent to your fire with dried orange and apple peels. Enhancing the spaces in your home with color can simplify decorating efforts. I like to look at my Christmas inventory early in the fall when the stores start their displays. Kelley Taylor's Holiday Decorating for Dummies has accent tips on "thinking small," such as using accent pieces and small collections. She has some suggestions on how to use your own home items to create holiday arrangements. If you are overwhelmed with the whole house, commit to just one room, such as the room where your guests will be entertained. Choose a focal point, like a fireplace, mantel, or picture window. Taylor states that "every holiday has a...color palette." You can accent your home with a scheme. Hearth and Home, in the Christmas Customs series, has beautiful photographs with instructions for decorating mantels, fireplaces, candles, and an advent calendar wreath.

RCPL has a wide variety of books for decorating at all times of year, and below is just a sample.