Every time autumn rolls around, I think the same thing: this feels like a much more natural time of year to get organised and make some plans. Not resolutions like at New Year as such, and nothing as onerous as a full-blown Spring Clean; but as summer comes to a close and there’s a brief pause before Christmas, it’s now that I find my head turns to my home and what I can do to show it a little love.

Usefully, the living room gets our attention this issue where our focus covers everything from the latest shapes in lounge furniture, to zoning, layering and colour play. It’s all about minimal effort for maximum impact as the seasons change.

But if it’s something a bit more involved that you can commit to, our Architecture ’24 supplement is full of the best practices to seek out.

Elsewhere, this issue is packed with enviable new-season ideas for a smart home update big or small – such as colourwashing your house in sage green; it’s a timeless new neutral.

Should this all seem like a bit too much hard graft, head to our lifestyle pages, where you can check out two swish Scottish getaways, plan a capsule wardrobe for autumn or get the lowdown on the best places to eat and drink as the summer sun fades.