Though it can be difficult to plan ahead for winter when summer has only just started to show its face, now is the perfect time for renovations. There are so many great ways to properly invest in your home so that by the time winter comes around, you have a home that is perfect for hibernating in.
Forget the days of cold drafts. Forget those dreary gray days and sniffles. With just a few changes, you can make your home instantly warmer, more efficient, and above all else, cozy:
Install a Fireplace
If you like the look of a flickering flame and would love to be able to cozy up next to the fire, you absolutely should invest in a fireplace. The best part is that you can install a fireplace whether your home has an old chimney to make use of or not. There are flueless fireplaces, gas fireplaces, and even electric fireplaces UK available for homes that don’t have a chimney, so you can easily snuggle up next to a fireplace just in time for winter this year.
Use Furnishings to Make Every Space Cozier
Textures and furnishings are another great way to make a room feel cozy. A big shag rug, soft blankets, and different textured pillows can all stimulate the brain in a variety of ways. We are very tactile beings, and having wonderful textures to sink your feet or hands into can really help improve the cozy factor in your home.
Think About Lighting
Your fireplace will add a stunning glow to your living room, but that isn’t the only lighting you need to think about when winter comes your way. Nordic countries, for example, don’t often use their overhead lights at night. They instead use beautiful lighting features like artistic lamps, or they go old-school with candles to add that cozy glow.
To really make the space brighter even when relying on darker lighting sources, use mirrors. Bouncing warm, romantic light around the room is an easy and effective way to make it feel warm even without the fireplace.
Invest in Creature Comforts
If you love a hot cup of tea in the morning, invest in a full teapot so that you can extend the single-cup enjoyment throughout your Sunday. These small creature comforts are the icing on the cake and are a great way to really enjoy those lazy days in winter where you don’t leave your home.
Invest in Proper Curtains and Blinds
Curtains can be so much more than décor. Invest in the right ones and they can provide additional insulation without any costly improvements to your home. Installing these can be easy as well – you just need to buy the right heavy material, and then take it to your local tailors to get it shortened to the right length for your windows.
If you have uniquely shaped windows, you will want to get someone in to install the hardware, yes, but for most windows, this can be a very easy and effective DIY project.