Winter at Home: Big and Small Ways to Increase Comfort Levels

Our homes are important all year round, but they take on extra importance during the chilly winter months. We’re much more likely to spend time at home during that period of the year, and, as such, it’s essential to ensure that your property has everything you need to really sink into comfort and relaxation.

There are a host of big and small ways to increase your home’s comfort levels. We’ll list a bunch of them below, so take them on board, and ensure that you can ride out the winter in style. 

Rethink Your Lighting

The spring and summer months are marked by bright, long days. When winter arrives, it can be a little jarring to suddenly find yourself spending all of your evenings indoors simply because it’s so dark and cold outside.

You won’t be able to change the brightness during winter, so why not lean into it? You can create a cozy, inviting atmosphere at home by playing around with the lighting in the most important rooms of the house, such as your living room. Look at adding lamps of various heights, and be sure to use warm-tone light bulbs. If there’s space in the budget, look at adding dimmable lights — they’ll allow you to create a deeply intimate ambiance when the time calls for it!

Invest in New Throws and Blankets

You’ll spend a lot of time on the couch in the winter months. Even if you have a great heating system, it can still be enjoyable to weigh yourself down under a comfortable, warming blanket. Blankets aren’t expensive, but they can be a real game changer to how much you enjoy being at home. Adding a throw to your bed can also be an inexpensive — and stylish — way to stay warm and comfortable in bed on those particularly cold nights. This page outlines some of the best blankets for the 2024 winter season, so take a look at what’s available and choose one (or more than one!); you might just find that it becomes your best friend for the next few months!

Add a Heated Towel Rack

It can be a challenge to get out of bed on those cold, fresh mornings. In some cases, the only thing that’ll motivate you to get out of bed is the prospect of stepping into a hot shower. 

However, while there’s much to love about warming yourself in the shower, it can be a bit of a challenge to get out. The colder temperature of the air compared with the warmth of the water can create a contrast that’s uncomfortable. 

There are two ways to handle this issue. One is to start taking cold showers, so the external air is even warmer than the water of the shower. Not interested in doing that? Then look at adding a heated towel rack. That’ll ensure that your towel is warm and toasty, ensuring that you can preserve the warmth you added to your body in the shower. 

Make Sure Your Heating Works Well

Adding blankets and other warming touches can boost your home’s comfort levels, but they’ll count for little if your HVAC system isn’t working correctly. If you live in a region where the temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels, then it’s essential that your HVAC system is in full working condition. It’s recommended to get in touch with an HVAC company to schedule a tune-up before the coldest temperatures arrive. After all, there’s nothing worse than waking up on a cold January morning only to discover that your heating is not working correctly. 

Also, keep in mind that HVAC systems don’t last forever. If yours is beginning to show its age, then consider upgrading — not only will you have peace of mind that your system will make it through the winter, but you’ll also likely benefit from lowered energy bills.

Boost Your Home’s Insulation

If you’re going to spend money — and use the earth’s resources — producing heat, then you’ll need to ensure that it can stay inside your home. There’s no point racking up a big heating bill if all the heat is escaping through the walls. 

If you have an older home and haven’t upgraded your insulation in a while, then take a look at the options available to you. Note that there are some government programs available that can provide funding for insulation, so take a look at what’s available and see if you’re eligible.

Heat can also escape through your doors, windows, and gaps, so it’s also worthwhile to tighten up any zones that might be vulnerable. 

All the Candles

OK, now that we’ve got the heating part of your property all ready for winter, let’s think about adding some cozy touches. 

Candles offer an affordable, aesthetically pleasing way to make your property more inviting. In our view, you can never have too many candles during the winter months, so go nuts and buy as many as you can. If you’re willing to spend slightly more money, consider adding scented candles — they’ll help to give your home a lovely, relaxed energy that’s in line with the season.

Go Plant Shopping

The chilly temperatures of winter mean that we don’t spend nearly as much time outdoors as we would like to — or, indeed, need to. If you know that you won’t put on the layers and head for a chilly walk outdoors, look at bringing a touch of nature into your home. You can do this by going plant shopping and picking up some easy-to-care-for plants that’ll remind you that the outside world exists even when you don’t have the capacity to go see the great outdoors for yourself. 

Add a Rug

A rug won’t be necessary if you have a carpeted floor, but if you have vinyl, tile, or wood flooring, then it’s recommended to add one. It’ll help to increase the look of your property and, most importantly of all, will keep your feet warm!

Install a Fireplace

There’s nothing better than sitting in front of a fireplace when it’s so cold outside. You’ll be toasty and warm, and plus, fires can simply help to create a great atmosphere. 

Don’t have a fireplace? Depending on your type of property, it may be possible to add one, though you’ll need to speak to a professional to check. Adding a fireplace can help to increase your home’s value, though that will be a secondary factor — the main benefit will be that you get to spend long evenings cuddled up in front of a roaring flame. 

Buy New Bedding

We tend to be in bed longer during the winter months, especially at the weekend. Who doesn’t love spending a lazy morning under the covers on a cold morning? If you’ve had your bedding for a few years, look at investing in new bedding. It’ll make a real difference. 

Change the Decor 

You won’t be able to change your home’s overall decor every time the season changes, but there are a few easy changes you can make that will help to create a home that’s more in line with the season. For instance, could you change your duvet and pillow covers for ones that have winter-appropriate colors? Your bedsheets might be bright yellow during the summer, but when winter arrives, it’ll make a lot more sense if they’re a darker hue. 

Books and Entertainment 

You might love the look of your home during the winter months, but if you haven’t also invested in some fun activities, then it’s likely you get bored pretty quickly! Indeed, most people who say they don’t like winter usually say so because they believe there’s nothing for them to do.

Look at stocking up on books and board games before the season arrives. You’ll have no issues with inclement weather if you have a good book to sink into, or if you have enough games for you and your family to enjoy on those lazy days. 

Get Your Kitchen Into Shape 

Finally, now could be the perfect time to upgrade your kitchen. On those cold days when you simply don’t want to go outside, there’s nothing better than spending the day in the kitchen, cooking up a storm. From soups to comfort food and baked goods, there’s an endless number of great dishes that are perfect for staying warm during the winter months. Cooking and baking is an easy, cost-effective way to stay warm at home, too — your efforts will warm you twice, once when you’re cooking and again when you eat what you’ve created. 

You’ll be more inclined to spend hours in your kitchen if it’s well-designed, modern, clutter-free, and all-around a nice place to be, so give your kitchen a little bit of love. 

Winter is coming whether you like it or not. To ensure that you can fully enjoy the season, look at taking the tips we’ve outlined above on board. From keeping you warm to helping create a nice atmosphere and more, they’re just what you need to ride out the chilliest period of the month in style. 

Related Article:

• Is Your Home Ready for Winter?
• Create a Cosier Home with These Winter Décor Tips