7 Cheap Home Depot Finds for a Smoother Fall Season
As summer winds down, homes tend to fill with beach chairs still by the door, overflowing backpacks, loose school supplies and small repairs everyone meant to handle “later.”
A few wallet-friendly purchases can make the transition into fall feel less chaotic without turning into a major home-improvement project.
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Here are seven Home Depot back-to-school and fall-prep items that are cheaper than you’d expect.
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1. Sterilite Latching Storage Box
Price: $15.71
“Clear, stackable bins are hard to beat,” said Adam Kutner, a storage and organization expert at Andover Properties. “Being able to see what is inside saves people from opening five containers to find one item.”
Use this 64-quart clear storage box for one clean, dry category of summer gear, such as beach towels, pool toys or patio accessories. Its latching lid and recessed top make it stackable once backpacks and fall gear start moving in.
2. Everbilt Handy Hook Wall Mounted J-Hook
Price: $4.48
Simple wall hooks are another inexpensive option, especially in garages and entryways.
This four-inch mounted J-hook holds up to 25 pounds and costs just under $5. Mount one near the entryway for a backpack or jacket, or add a few in the garage for folding chairs, sports gear and garden tools.
“Getting backpacks, sports gear, folding chairs and other bulky items off the floor can free up a surprising amount of usable space,” Kutner said.
3. Boen Ultra Heavy-Duty 16 Mil Tarp Cover
Price: $15.28
Items like outdoor furniture, grills, firewood and lawn equipment that can’t come indoors need protection, said Michael Stein, founder and CEO of Tarps Plus.
This hunter green tarp has reinforced edges, rust-proof grommets and UV resistance. Secure it tightly so wind doesn’t move the cover and rub against the item underneath.
4. Milwaukee Packout 5-Compartments Small Parts Organizer
Price: $39.97
Five removable bins, a clear lid and a weather seal make this Milwaukee small parts organizer a practical home for repair supplies. That matters when fall maintenance reveals a loose screw or missing caulk.
“These are perfect for hardware, batteries, repair supplies [and more] that are not able to be exposed to the deteriorating conditions of damp garages or sheds,” Stein said.
5. M-D White Vinyl U-Shape Slide-On Under Door Seal
Price: $15.37
A draft under an exterior door is easy to ignore until rainy, cooler weather arrives. A slide-on door seal installs without screws or drilling, and seals gaps from three-eighths to three-quarters of an inch.
Stein recommended checking windows and doors for gaps in weatherstripping or caulk, clearing clogged gutters and drainage areas, and making sure outdoor covers are still secure.
6. Commercial Electric Spin Light Motion Sensor LED Flush Mount Ceiling Light
Price: $27.97
A hallway that worked at 7 p.m. in July can be dark at the same time in October.
“The light changes and nobody adjusts,” said Carolyn Sithong, an occupational therapist and accessibility expert. “Back steps, basement stairs and the route from bed to bathroom all get worse 15 minutes at a time, so no one notices.”
This motion-sensor LED light screws into an existing E26 socket, making it an easy upgrade for a garage, pantry or basement. It provides hands-free light in spaces that get darker earlier in fall.
7. TrafficMaster Enviroback Charcoal Rib Door Mat
Price: $22.98
Sithong advised skipping decorative throw rugs at exterior doors in favor of a mat that stays in place when a wet shoe hits it.
The TrafficMaster ribbed door mat has slip-resistant backing and a surface that scrapes dirt from shoes. It gives muddy shoes and umbrellas somewhere to land before they reach the rest of the house.
Bottom Line
Fall prep isn’t about buying more bins, hooks and repair supplies. It’s a chance to stop moving clutter from one room to another.
“My advice is to use the change of season as a reason to decide what needs to stay accessible, what can be stored for a few months, and what you no longer need,” Kutner said.
Editor’s note: Prices and availability are subject to change.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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