As temperatures drop and utility bills rise, residents are looking for more efficient ways to keep their homes warm during winter. Previously, it may have been as easy as utilising central heating systems, turning up the radiators accordingly. However, with energy costs rising, this is no longer as easy as it was and many are experiencing what is being dubbed as a season of heating or eating.
This stark reality is prompting the need for new measures within our living spaces, ways in which our homes can remain better insulated and cosy even on a chilly day. To support this, we’re sharing four creative interior designs that improve warmth within the home and can help residents to overcome the chill this winter.
Natural Fabrics
One of the most cost-effective ways in which to keep warm indoors is to lavish a living space with thicket blankets made from natural fibres. From duvets and curtains to rugs and blankets, having an abundance of high-quality and organic fabrics within a home goes a long way to retaining heat and helping residents to wrap up as the temperatures drop.
The natural element of fabrics is an important quality since organic cotton and wool will go much further than synthetic alternatives when it comes to keeping residents warm. Other natural elements, such as down, are very effective too.
Window Repairs
It can be surprising as to how much heat escapes through our windows. Even double-glazed windows can, over time, lose much of their insulating properties, allowing draughts to enter a living space. If you are curious about the insulating properties of your windows, there is a very simple test. Simply cover the window from wall to wall with cling film, taping the sides down. Once you come to seal the final corner, if you notice a concentrated draught, you will notice just how much of a chill is being allowed to enter.
Small Spaces
Homes that enjoy larger and open-plan living spaces are more difficult to heat. To remedy this, smaller spaces can be created, even by dividing larger rooms with stylish barriers. Others may seek to create their own cosier, smaller spaces, such as reading nooks or log cabins, compact rooms that are far more easily heated.
Lesser-used rooms can also be closed off, with doors and windows being more effectively sealed to ensure that they are insulated and prevent draughts from more easily travelling through a home.
Optimise Your Radiators
When relying upon radiators, it is important to ensure that they are optimised. Those with furniture too close to their radiators or who consistently cover them with wet clothing are certain to find it more difficult to heat their home and will see their bills rise accordingly.
Be sure to give each radiator the space it requires to emit heat and that, at the beginning of the season, it is drained accordingly. Even a small amount of air can drastically reduce the effectiveness of a radiator.
