Create a Warm & Cozy Home on a Budget

Create a Warm & Cozy Home on a Budget

Not looking forward to getting an expensive heating bill next month? There are some tried and true methods for making your home warm and cozy without turning up the heat. Follow these tips for budget-friendly and easy ways to feel warm in your house this winter. 

Use your fireplace correctly

Nothing says warm and cozy like snuggling next to a roaring fire, as shown in this home. A traditional open box, wood burning fireplace actually draws air from inside the home, and can make the room with the fireplace feel drafty. You can prevent this draft by closing off surrounding doors. Not sure how to stack the wood so that it burns efficiently?

Design a warm and cozy bedroom

Although most experts agree that a bedroom kept on the cool side is easier to sleep in, we also know that it's not comfortable to have an icy cold bedroom in the winter. Make sure your bedding is appropriate for winter by having flannel sheets, down filled comforters and extra blankets. There are plenty of heating products on the market as well like heating blankets and even heated mattress pads. An old fashioned heated water bottle can also help, especially when trying to warm cold feet. 

Reverse your ceiling fans

In the winter, try reversing the direction of your ceiling fans. The fan blades will push the hot air downwards (instead of drawing air upwards) and help keep the heat lower. This is especially important in rooms with high ceilings. How can you know if your fan is spinning in reverse? When you look up your blades should be moving in a clockwise fashion.

Seal drafty door and windows

Cold air can easily rush through leaks in windows and doors, instantly chilling a room. If your windows and doors have cracked seals, you can purchase new ones or hire a professional to replace them. For a quick and simple fix, you can place a heavy towel underneath doors (like the door that enters the cold garage) or use a poly weatherstrip like this one. 

Hang heavy drapery

The old idea of switching out your drapery and curtains for the winter still makes sense today. Window panes, especially older ones, allow heat to be lost through the glass, making a cold room feel even colder. If you have drapes or curtains, purchase a thicker material for the winter months and be sure to close them at night. Some homes even use a double set of drapery to give the home a layered, and warm look.

Use rugs for a warm floor

Rugs, both carpeting and area rugs, are much warmer on our feet compared to hard surfaces like tile or wood. Traditionally, rugs were laid down in the winter months and stored in the summer months to help make a room feel warmer. Bedrooms can get a huge boost of warmth by having a rug next to the bed, so can bathrooms, kitchens or living rooms. The thicker the pile, the warmer the rug will appear.