This Is How To Make Your Home Warm & Cozy This Winter

Aw I hate that we’re already talking about winter lol It is inevitable when you live this far north though I do dream of the day Lodi and I plan on heading south after we retire for at least during the cold months. I really like how this article covers both the practical sides of keeping warm (like insulation) but also the ways we can decorate for a warmer and cozier feeling home. Unfortunately for us the original front door of our home is over 100 years old which means its amazing and I love it but we also plan on replacing it this year as it just doesn’t keep the cold out like we need it to.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)

Ready to make your home into the ultimate cozy retreat for the coming winter? Then you are in the right place. Keep reading to find out how.

Up your insulation 

First of all, if you want to make sure your home is as warm and cozy as possible this winter, then you’ll need to up the amount of insulation you have. Insulation is a material designed to stop the loss of heat from the inside to the outside of your home. It can be used on walls, floors, and roofs and comes in a variety of forms including insulation made from recycled plastic.

By making sure you have adequate insulation across your home you can keep it warm and cozy as well as reduce your energy bills. This makes it an essential choice for those who want to do their bit for the environment while keeping their costs low. 

Make sure your water heater is well-maintained 

Another way to make sure that your home stays cozy and warm during the ice and snow of winter is to ensure you properly maintain your water heater. After all, there is nothing more uncomfortable than taking a cold shower in the middle of winter!

The good news is that professionals like Ben Franklin Plumbing can help you by regularly serving your water heater. They even offer repairs and can install a new one for you too, which means no matter what winter throws at you, you’ll be able to warm up in a nice hot shower or luxurious bath. 

Craft a draft excluder 

Simple it may be, but using a draft excluder can be a great way of keeping your home as warm and cozy as possible during the colder weather. The great thing about draft excluders is that they not only stop drafts from making you feel cold but that you can easily make them yourself too.

One option is to use a cheap pool noodle, splitting it horizontally and cutting it to size. The noodles can then be fit over the ends or tops of doors to keep drafts out. Another option is to DIY a fabric draft excluder. These are usually filled with heavy beans so they stay put even if the wind is blowing. YOu can make all types of designs to fit in with your decor from plane tubes to animals, and you can recycle old textiles like dresses, pants, or bedsheets to make them. 

Invest in some thick curtains 

Curtains are vital in keeping all the heat in a room during the winter season. To that end investing in a pair of heavy-weight, lined, thick curtains for any rooms in which you spend a considerable amount of time makes sense. Be sure to use them to their full effect by closing the curtains in any space that you want to keep as warm as possible. It’s worth choosing curtains that suit your decor, too, so they look just as good year-round. Terrys Fabrics has plenty of colors, patterns and styles to choose from, making it easy to find a cozy option that feels at home in your space.

Consider underfloor heating 

Another thing that can help keep your home warm and cozy is underfloor heating. This works by heating the surfaces that your body has the most content with (the floor) rather than heating the air in a space which can be more expensive.

Of course, you’ll need to weigh up the benefits of underfloor heating compared to the cost of ripping up your old floor and installing a new one. Also if you do decide to go down this route, remember that it’s best to have underfloor heating installed in the summer, so it’s ready to be used once the temperatures start to drop. 

Rotate your wardrobe 

Too many people forget that a vital element of staying warm at home in the winter is dressing for the season. Bare feet and T-shirts are only appropriate if you run hot. Otherwise, warming up yourself is much more efficient than trying to heat an entire space.

To that end, make sure you get your winter clothes out of storage before the bad weather hits. Also, investing in some good slippers, a robe for the morning and when getting ready for bed, and some fleece loungewear for relaxing is the right approach. 

Add some cozy decor 

Last of all, feeling cozy isn’t all to do with the temperature that you keep your body and home. You can create a cozy feeling through the decor you use as well. For example, plaid wallpaper provides a wonderfully cozy, rural feel, like staying in a log cabin.

Wooden accents and accessories like fireplaces, and ornaments can help create a warmer feeling space as well.

Oh and don’t forget plenty of plush cushions and blankets in which you can snuggle up when the weather is bad outside.

(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)