I have said many times that buying an old house that needed fixing up may not have been my best idea ever. However, it got us on the property ladder and we have now lived here for 4 and a half years! However, the house was built in 1900 and in winter it can get really cold, especially if there are strong winds outside. We’re slowly working on making our house warmer each year so today I’m sharing some ways to keep your home warmer this winter:
Close your curtains
Even though we have double glazed windows they are quite old and some of them need replacing now. During the day, I like to keep the curtains open as much as possible to let in some of the heat from the sun… when it’s out. We’re lucky to have a south facing garden and the back window in the living room really lets in a lot of heat. However, as soon as the sun starts to set I close all of the curtains to keep out the cold and any draughts.
Get cosy
One of my favourite things to do on a cold night in the middle of winter is to snuggle up on the couch. Grab your dressing gown, a fluffy throw or even a duvet and a hot water bottle. These things, paired with a good film or book make the winter weather not quite as bad as it could be and you’ll be warm and cosy in no time.
Central heating
Of course, one of the best ways to keep your home warm and toasty is with central heating. It’s actually a bit crazy to think that some homes don’t have that yet and are still coping with other forms of heating or nothing at all. While central heating is a great source of heat, there are things that can be done to ensure your system works as well as it can: central heating pumps are a great example. It’s worth looking after your central heating system so that you don’t find yourself with problems during the colder months.
Block out the draughts
Doors and windows can let out a lot of heat and it’s something quite a lot of people don’t think about. Doors and windows, along with gaps in any floorboards can let in horrible draughts and sometimes so much that you’ll be able to feel a light breeze. These kinds of draughts can be blocked out quite easily and you can get kits so you can do it yourself at home. Small jobs like this could really make your home warmer in the long run as the heat would be contained.
Carpets
One way of making your house warmer is to cover any solid floors with carpets. The carpet, along with any underlay will not only stop draughts coming up through floorboards but they will also give you a much warmer surface to walk on. I hate getting cold feet from walking on our floors and soft, fluffy carpets are wonderful to walk on.
Do you have any tips for keeping your house warmer this winter? Let us know!
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Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post. All opinions are our own.