I KNOW it doesn't seem possible, but if, like me, you've noticed the mornings are getting darker and an autumnal chill in the air, it's time to start thinking about warming your home up ready for winter.

Get major decoration projects under way now to be ready in time for - dare I mention it? - Christmas.

Good tradesmen are always booked well in advance, so, as the evenings start drawing in, use the time to plan ahead.

For a strong visual impact, warming heat and a gathering point for family and friends, it's hard to beat a traditional fire.

And whether you prefer a gas, electric or real flame fire, there are hundreds of options to choose from.

Whatever style or theme you chose, from traditional to contemporary, many can be fitted, even if you don't have a fireplace. If you are thinking about installing a new fireplace, make sure you get professional advice from a fireplace specialist.

It is obviously unrealistic to redecorate every season, but you can create warmth by adding accessories in spicy saffron, chilli reds and cinnamon shades.

Why not add a few extra layers to your existing furnishings to warm them up a little? Just as we pile on pullovers to keep ourselves warm, a few extra layers work wonders in creating a warm feel indoors too.

Add a woollen throw or a travel rug to an armchair or sofa and cushions of all shapes and sizes to add a feeling of cosiness.

You can make a room more inviting simply by rearranging the furniture. Group chairs around a hearth or an upholstered footstool to add intimacy. Carpet is unbeatable for warmth and comfort in the winter.

If you currently have bare floorboards or a stone floor, this is the time to invest in a rug to raise temperatures instantly.

Eliminating draught is the first step to a warm comfortable home and windows and doors are the chief culprits when it comes to letting in cold air.

If your budget won't run to new double glazing, make sure you have linings and interlinings in your curtains. If you have radiators under the window, team your existing curtains with a thick Roman blind to cut out draughts.

The right choice of lighting also plays an important part in creating a warm feeling in the home.

Central ceiling lights tend to create areas of shadow at the edges of a room and can make it feel gloomy. Instead use a mixture of lamps to create warm pools of light around the room.

Use 40w bulbs and consider changing your lampshades too. Antique gold or raspberry fabric shades will give off a really warm glow.

Candles not only create a cosy effect but they generate real heat too. Group them together for maximum effect - surround a large church candle with tealights or gather together three or five candlesticks of different heights.

For details of a full House Doctor Service, contact the design team at Honeysuckle Interiors, Oakley, on 01256 780831 or visit the website at honeysuckleinteriors.co.uk