As we settle into the coldest months of the year, it can be easy to forget what it’s like to feel truly warm, and if you’re in the house all day looking after the children or working, you’re less likely to want to head outside for a bit of fresh air. This can soon have you feeling a bit like a recluse. Aside from chomping down a daily dose of vitamin D, there are a few other ways you can combat those winter blues and hermit-like tendencies. Below are three ways to turn your home into a winter haven, leaving you feeling less guilty about not venturing outside for days on end.
Insulation
One of the worst things about being at home all day in the winter is how cold it can get during the day. Of course, you put the central heating on in the mornings and in the evening too, but having it on through the day just isn’t particularly cost-effective. The best thing to do is try to keep all that heat you paid for inside the house. Windows and roofs are the biggest culprits. Cold air can make its way in through dilapidated double glazing and cause a convection current which pushes the hot air up to the loft and out through the roof. There have been huge advances in upvc products recently, including triple glazing, which can stop your windows from betraying your bank account. Investing in good quality loft insulation is another bright idea. You may lose some of your storage space, but by packing the attic out with plenty of fibreglass insulation, you greatly diminish the amount of hot air that escapes through your roof which will help to keep your home toasty warm all day.
Underfloor heating
This can be a pricey installation, but if you’re a fan of hardwood floors or tiles, it will keep you very happy through the colder months. Not only is underfloor heating great for the kitchen when you forget to wear your slippers because you haven’t had your morning coffee yet, but it also allows to enjoy your conservatory in the winter months just as much as in the summer. Yes, you could wear an extra pair of socks and some slippers, but there’s something inexplicably delightful about walking onto stone flooring that is as warm as freshly baked bread.
All things fluffy
If you’re on a tighter budget and splashing out on underfloor heating and insulation seems like a distant dream, fluffy is your new friend. Treating yourself to some comfortable and warm loungewear could be your ticket to a whole new level of cosiness. You don’t have to go the whole hog and jump into a onesie that makes you look like a giant teddy bear, but a micro-fleece style material jumper and lounge pants or tracksuit bottoms with a soft lining will do a lot to keep you feeling cosy. If you’re sat down on the sofa or at a desk for quite a while, it might also be worth investing in a nice blanket to keep your legs warm.
Whichever way you decide to add some warmth to the short but frosty days of winter, don’t forget to put your feet up with a nice mug of hot chocolate and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet every now and then.
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