With the days getting colder and the nights getting darker, we all want to make our homes as warm and cosy as possible. If your home still has a fresh, summery vibe that is starting to feel a little cold, it might be time to make a few changes that will keep you cosy throughout the winter. There’s no need to spend a fortune on fancy furniture, though, or completely redecorate if you don’t want to. Here are some ideas for creating a warm winter home, no matter what your budget.
1. Get Practical
The first step to making your home actually warmer is to make sure you have good insulation. There are many different things to consider when it comes to insulation, including the loft, walls, and floor of your home. You can find a full guide to home insulation here, but some basic and affordable tips are to use draught excluders on your doors and make sure your windows are in good condition. This type of insulation is the cheapest way to make your home warmer, so if you have single glazing or your windows are in poor condition, make sure you use draught excluding tape to reduce heat loss. This will make your home much cosier without spending much money at all and will save you quite a bit in heating bills.
2. Use Textiles
A very effective way of making a room feel warmer is to incorporate thick, soft textiles into your decor. This could take the form of velvet curtains, which will prevent heat loss as well as adding a warm and luxurious feel to a room. Check out these examples for inspiration, but remember that they don’t need to cost the earth if you’re trying to stick to a budget. Many more affordable brands now sell velvet furnishings, so don’t think you need to opt for the fanciest ones. Other ways of using textiles include faux fur rugs, which are also good insulators, and even woven wall hangings or tapestries. These will add a softer feel to your home and make it feel warmer than it really is.
3. Clever Colours
Colours are one of the most important things to consider when it comes to home decor, as they can have a huge impact on the feel of a room. This is especially important when trying to create a cosy vibe in your home, as some colours have strong associations with temperature. So-called warmer colours, such as reds, oranges, dark yellows and browns, can make your home actually seem warmer when used effectively. This is because our brains associate them with fire, sun and warmer climates, and so are tricked into remembering the feeling of warmth. Using a subtle combination of these colours in cushions, throws and ornaments can really help to create a cosy space, without the need to repaint or make any large purchases. It’s an affordable and highly effective way of getting your home ready for winter.
4. Pick a Room
If you don’t have the budget to make your entire home into a cosy winter den, an alternative is to choose one room to makeover instead. A good idea is to pick your favourite room in the house, as that might be where you spend the most quality time. If your bathroom is where you relax and unwind, you could add touches of luxury to the decor, add a lick of paint, or even check out these affordable baths. If you prefer to hang out in your living room, you could boost the cosy-factor with some chunky knit throws and lots of cushions, or opt for an impressive modern fireplace. Focusing on one room means that you can have the cosy space you want, without going way over budget.
5. Low-Key Lighting
There’s nothing like some fairy lights to brighten up the mood in the dark winter months. Using low-key, soft lighting in your home can work wonders in creating a homely, even festive feel that can really cheer things up. If you’re not a fan of fairy lights, placing multiple small lamps around a room can have the same effect. Low-key lighting creates a cosy, intimate atmosphere that will make you want to snuggle up on those dark evenings. Adding candles will make an even bigger impact, especially if you choose ones with delicious winter scents. An easy and affordable way to create an instant cosy vibe, this is the ideal choice if you don’t have a great deal of time to spend on redecorating your home.
