Winter is truly unpleasant if your home is cold. You can’t sit and watch the TV if chilly drafts are blowing under the door or there is ice on the inside of your windows. Installing an efficient modern central heating system is the best way to beat the cold, but if your boiler is old or you can’t afford to have the heating on 24/7, here are a few ways to make sure your living room is as cozy as possible.
Block the Drafts
Drafts are a nightmare during a cold spell. No matter how much you try to keep a room warm, if you have cold drafts blowing in from outside, your efforts will be for nothing.
Curtains and drapes from stores such as Smith & Noble are a quick and easy way to beat the drafts. Look for curtains, drapes and blinds in thick fabrics, as these will be most effective at keeping the cold out and the warmth in. Open your drapes and blinds during the day to let the sun in, as this will warm your room up, and then close them as soon as the light begins to fade, in order to keep the heat in.
Light the Fire
A fire will make any room feel cosy. Log fires create a real sense of ambiance in any room, but if you want a more efficient source of heat, install a log burner or multi fuel stove. Once you have a stove, it won’t cost much to run. You can burn off-cuts of wood for free.
And if you don’t have the budget for a fire but you still have a fireplace, light some large church candles. Large lit candles make a room feel nice and cosy. They also give off a pleasant aroma if you use scented candles. However, do be very careful when lighting candles and never leave lit candles unattended in an empty room, as they are a serious fire risk.
Wrap Up on the Sofa
Don’t shiver on the sofa. Wrap up in soft throws or cover your legs with a quilt. Mix and match blankets and throws to suit your décor. Add a few colorful cushions into the mix and your sofa will soon begin to look cosy and inviting.
Soft chenille throws look gorgeous and are nice and warm if it’s a bit chilly. The only problem you may have is if you have pets. Cats and dogs will adore your soft throws as much as you do, so be prepared to fight for ownership on a cold winter’s night.
You don’t need to shiver in your living room, but if it’s still cold, wrap up in a few extra layers and drink plenty of hot drinks.
