The nights are drawing in, the temperature’s dropping and all around you people are mentioning the C word. While the warmth of the summer sun might be long gone, autumn and winter bring their own charm to the home. There’s nothing quite like sitting snug in your house, listening to the pounding rain as it beats on the windows.
So don’t let the cold get you down this winter; make a few simple changes to your interiors to ensure you are ready for whatever the weather throws at you.
Keep pesky draughts at bay
While the wind is whistling outside, you can ensure your interiors keep in the heat by blocking up any cracks and holes where draughts get in. To keep out the cold around windows and doors you can purchase purpose-specific tape from building and DIY stores. A thick, lined pair of curtains will also help shield you from the cold if your double glazing isn’t up to scratch. In internal rooms, draught excluders are a great way to add a little country charm to your living environment while ensuring draughts can’t get under doors. You can purchase draught excluders in a variety of styles, from those with a traditional feel to more modern designs such as Ethnic Chic.
Add cushions and throws
In winter, the cold air can make leather and wooden furniture extremely cold to touch and a freezing leather couch doesn’t exactly scream comfort. Using scatter cushions and throws to cover allows you to warm up your home for the winter. Plus, they can add an extra style element and are easy to change should you update your décor in years to come. During the winter months, using warm colours such as reds and golds can help you to create a feeling of coziness even when all outside is dull and grey.
Get your boiler serviced
This might seem boring but it should form an essential part of your “welcome to winter” routine. There is nothing worse than having no heat and hot water during sub zero temperatures… except perhaps finding out that the fault could’ve been prevented by a simple annual service. You’ll have the peace of mind of knowing your home and family are protected against cold snaps if you keep your boiler’s health up to date and it might ensure your warranty stays valid too.
Feed the flames
If you have an open fire or wood burner, now is the time to stock up on fuel before the winter rush. Quite simply, there no comparison to the feeling of warming your hands and face in front of a real fire in the deepest of midwinters.
Bring the outdoors in
If you can’t go outside for fear of frostbite, bring some of the winter wonderland indoors. You can make beautiful arrangements featuring pine cones and evergreen leaves such as holly. All you need is some glue and a little imagination.
During the colder months you’ll spend more time inside than at any other time of the year, so it makes perfect sense to make your living environment as comfortable as you can.
This post was written by Emily Peel, an interior design and stylings fan.