Winter-Proofing Your Home: How To Stay Warm And Cosy
Winter is in full swing. For many of us, the main challenge to overcome this season is the weather, with temperatures plunging and a risk of snow and ice. As studies show that we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, it’s important to create a cosy, toasty home. In this guide, we’ll share some top tips to help you winter-proof your house.
Insulate, insulate, insulate
Insulating your home is one of the best ways to stay warm during the winter and reduce energy bills. If your home is well-insulated, it will retain more heat, ensuring your rooms stay toasty for longer. If you don’t have good insulation, you may find that heat escapes rapidly, leaving you with a cold house and high energy bills. There are two main options to consider when insulating your home: professional insulation services and DIY methods. Professional insulation services are more robust and effective but they’re also more expensive. If you can’t afford the best insulation options, DIY hacks can help. Examples include plugging gaps in external walls, sealing door and window frames, using draft excluders and hanging disposable glazing sheets on your windows. You can also use thicker curtains or lined blinds to prevent heat loss from your windows and doors.
Light a fire
If you don’t already have a fire in your home, adding a functional fireplace or stove can help you add warmth, ambience and beautiful design touches. The range of styles is expanding all the time with everything from chic, contemporary fires to rustic styles. Type new fireplaces near me into a search engine to find local showrooms and browse websites. This will enable you to explore different styles, compare prices and find out more about the different types of fires on sale. Lighting a fire is a great option if you tend to spend most of your time in one room, for example, you work in a study all day, or you tend to gather in the living room during the evenings.
Be liberal with soft furnishings
Being liberal with soft furnishings can help you keep warm without depending heavily on your heating. Research shows that almost 50% of Brits are worried about their energy bills. Stocking up on blankets and throws and adding rugs and cushions can help you keep the cold at bay, add a cosy ambience and improve the aesthetic of your home. Shop around to get inspiration, find items you love and snap up special offers. Accessorising with soft furnishings can also help you channel seasonal trends without breaking the bank. You can add colour with new cushion covers or texture with a thick, sumptuous woollen or faux fur blanket, for example.
For many of us, winter means staying indoors and getting cosy at home. If you’re looking for ways to make your home a snug sanctuary this winter, insulate the building as best you can, add warmth with a fire and be liberal with soft furnishings such as cushions, rugs, throws and blankets.
