Well, we’re well into the winter right now, and while most people see it as the perfect time to get cozy and comfy indoors, not everyone has the opportunity. Some rooms of the house - and some entire homes - have a naturally cool ‘feel.’
Perhaps it’s because the ceilings are high, or the decor makes use of cool colors and tones. Maybe it’s because you love the minimal, exposed look, and have invested in furniture that is perfect for summer and warmth, but creates a colder atmosphere in the winter.
If this sounds familiar, don’t panic - there are plenty of things you can do that won’t cost a fortune - let’s take a closer look at your options.
Layer up
First thing’s first, try stocking up on a few rugs, throws, and pillows for your cool-feeling room. Straight away you will be introducing an element of coziness, and it also gives you the option of curling up on the couch beneath a comfy, super-warm blanket at a moment’s notice. It will make a significant difference to the overall feel of the room, and it will be a more welcoming, homely space.
Use knits
Is there anything more cozy-looking than a nice chunky knit sweater in the cold winter months? Well, use your clothes as inspiration for your room, by introducing knitted materials into your room. Blankets are an obvious starting point, but you can also get knitted rugs, drapes, and even poufs. It’s the texture of knits that helps create warmth, and it will help you feel at home, comfy, and well out of the way of the cold.
Invest in seasonal drapes
If you are into the minimal lifestyle, chances are your windows are adorned with super sharp blinds or rollers rather than heavy drapes. Again, it’s fine when the weather is good, but in the chilly months, it’s going to reduce the temperature of your room - both in a physical and psychological sense. As pointed out at Ming's Living, a, good set of drapes can instantly transform your room into a warm and cozy environment. And given that they are easy to set up and take down these days, nothing is stopping you from hanging them seasonally, and swapping out again when the spring arrives.
Improve your lighting
Lighting can make a huge difference in warmth in any room, in any particular configuration. Shaded lampstands, for example, have a dimming effect on bulbs, and the feeling of warmth they generate can be incredibly cozy indeed. Layering your small lamps works, too. Lights at low, medium and high levels - all dotted around the room in different places - can help your room feel alive. Throw in a few colored bulbs for effect - a warm red or violet, for example - and you will feel like it’s toasty pretty quickly.
Do you have a cool-feeling room or home? If so, we’d love to hear all your tips and advice on how you warm it up in the winter - without spending a fortune on heating, of course. Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and join in on the conversation!
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I love these ideas to warm u a room with layers and warm lighting. My house is very cool in summer and cold in winter so these tips are perfect for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteYes. Oh my gosh, it is so cold here right now. Layers are so important where we are. Hope you can make use of the tips. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThese are great ideas. The bill in the winter is high enough, but then we get these cold snaps where it becomes freezing in the house. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt's crazy how high the heating bill can become in the Winter! We're currently sitting at 0 degrees outside. My heat is constantly coming on and it's only set at 62! The blankets and layers help. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI hate to be cold, so my heat is always set to 77, but I usually end up turning it up....and then going to lay under my heated throw blanket LOL :)
ReplyDeleteI used to love the first few cool days when I lived in FL. Then. . . I moved to Ohio. LOL I start to "freeze" any time the weather goes below 70! I can't imagine what we'd have to pay if we had our heat set at 77. Yikes! I used to love sitting under my electric blanket, though. I would have it set to the highest setting and I would just sit there and bake. . .and love it!
DeleteI've noticed how much a difference good drapes can make in keeping a room warm. They help a lot in our living room where we tend to have lots of drafts.
ReplyDeleteYes, drapes can make a big difference, especially if they're insulated. Stay warm, Maria!
DeleteThis is pretty cool about lighting. I didn't realize it could affect the warmth in the house! I'll have to do some rearranging.
ReplyDeleteI think it has more to do with the psychological effect of having "warm" lighting, making it look cozier, instead of the cool, blue lighting which would make it seem "cooler." Thanks for stopping by & hope you stay warm!
DeleteThe best idea here are seasonal drapes! I have floor to ceiling silk in aqua and tan - not cozy. I could totally have fun changing them out for a few months a year. Thanks, great idea!
ReplyDeleteI bet the aqua and tan are beautiful, though! I'm a huge curtain switcher, a lot of times because of boredom, but it is nice to have the thermal lined drapes in the Winter!
DeleteSeasonal drapes is a fantastic idea and not something I'd thought of before. I'm a huge fan of oversized fuzzy socks and a cup of hot coco.
ReplyDeleteYeeesss! Fuzzy socks. Me too. Luckily, I got 5 new pairs of fuzzy socks for Christmas. And who can resist hot cocoa. So cozy!
DeleteI don't like to be cold.. but I do like the idea of warming up under a cozy knit blanket!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of being cold, either. We have piles of blankets here!
DeleteI so need this article right now. My little boy cat has decided he's petrified of the heater. And when I turn it on, he runs and hides until I turn it off. So I need to find ways to warm up the room while minimizing the heat so I don't terrify my poor cat.
ReplyDeleteAwww! Bless his heart! Cats help keep you warm, too, so having him run away is probably not ideal! ;) Time to get some warm, cozy blankets that you and your cat will love.
DeleteDrapes can definitely keep your feeling warmer. We have blankets and quilts all over our living room to cuddle up with.
ReplyDeleteYes, drapes can help a lot in keeping drafts out and even the cold from the glass of the windows! We have a lot of blankets, too. So. Many. Blankets! LOL Hope you stay warm this Winter!
DeleteI don't like to turn on the heat because it dries up my nose and my throat and I get all itchy. I don't know if it is a psychological thing or not. Same with the car heater, I have friends who blast it and it totally dries me face and lips up. These are all great ideas to use so I dont have to turn it on during the winter. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of people like that, with both air conditioning and heat. I've got to admit, I am one of those car heat blasters, though. I will sit there until I'm burning and dried up like a raisin. It's not as easy to stay warm in the house without these tips, though!
DeleteSeasonal drapes sound like an easy way to transition ones home between seasons. I have the same ones year round but will have to consider changing them out.
ReplyDeleteI’m always cold, and it doesn’t help that it always seems to be chilly here in the uk! I love to have the heating on but obviously that results in big bills. I try and wrap up as much as possible and love getting cosy in blankets, sipping on a hot drink.
ReplyDeleteThese are some really great tips. I really hate having to run my heat in my home because it does spike my bills. I need to try some of these out.
ReplyDeleteThese are all great ideas! We just recently added blinds to all of our rooms and it makes a HUGE difference!!!
ReplyDeleteLove these ideas - especially using clothing for inspiration. I need to invest in a good set of curtains for our living room to warm it up.
ReplyDeleteThese are some brilliant ideas. I will definitely share this with my hubby. and I think I need to buy some sets of a new curtains.
ReplyDeleteThese are such great tips!! I use an electric blanket every night, and it definitely helps me sleep better when its cold.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about my living room for so long. I do thin the layers will work wonders. Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! We just moved into a new home and I'm doing my best to make it cozy without spending too much. I need to add a few baskets to toss the throw pillows into when we would rather have a cozy night on the couch with blankets.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have heating in the kitchen so it can get pretty cold in the winter. Everyone in the house always have layers on to keep warm.
ReplyDeleteThese tips are so useful for the new year and incorporating new things!
ReplyDelete