WITH the colder months approaching, many of us are already preparing ways to keep our homes warm, ideally without spending too much on heating bills.
Last winter, research revealed that 1.7 million UK households didn’t switch on their heating at all due to concerns about rising energy bills.
There are numerous ways you can booth warmth in your home without needing central heating – including moving sofas away from radiators[/caption]
Thankfully there are some tricks to create warmth through clever interior and flooring choices.
James Higgins, flooring expert at Online Carpets, has revealed six simple ways you can help you boost warmth and cosiness in your home this season…
1. MOVE FURNITURE
It can be tempting to place your sofa or bed right up against the radiator in winter to capture the warmth, but this will actually make your home feel colder.
Jamex explained: “When large pieces of furniture block radiators, any heat isn’t able to circulate properly around the room.
“Instead, the warmth gets trapped behind the furniture, leaving the rest of your room still feeling cold.
“If you’ve turned your heating on, try leaving a clear space in front of radiators.
“This allows the heat to move freely, which makes the whole room feel warmer and more comfortable.”
2. ADD RUGS
The home expert said adding a large rug on top of wooden, vinyl, or laminate flooring is one of the quickest ways to warm up a room.
He continued: “Rugs stop draughts from coming through floorboards, create an extra layer of insulation, and make spaces feel instantly cosier.
“Opt for thick, dense rugs in living areas or runners in hallways for maximum impact.
“Not only will they keep feet warm, but they’ll also protect your flooring from everyday wear and tear.”
3. DOOR EXCLUDERS
Even a small draught can make your room feel much colder.
James shared: “Gaps under your doors or around frames let chilly air in and warm air escape, which can make heating less effective.”
To combat this, you should invest in simple draught excluders or self-adhesive draught strips to block gaps under internal and external doors.
The expert explained: “They’re inexpensive, easy to fit, and make a noticeable difference to how warm your home feels without turning on the heating.”
4. ADD CUSHIONS AND THROWS
Throws and cushions can instantly add warmth to your lounge or bedroom[/caption]
Textiles can play a huge role in how warm your space feels.
Layer up your wool throws, chunky knits, and velvet cushions to create an inviting and cosy vibe.
These soft furnishings not only keep you physically warm but also make your home feel visually warmer and more cosy.
James said: “As an extra styling touch, you can bring in warm-toned accessories like cushions or blankets in shades of terracotta, deep green, or caramel for a cosy, autumn-winter look.
“Even small touches, like a wooden side table or a jute rug, can bring that organic cosiness to a room, but this is just a bonus, not a necessity.”
Rugs and carpets make a huge difference during winter months[/caption]
5. ADD INSULATED CURTAINS
Windows are one of the biggest culprits for heat loss in your home.
James said: “Keeping your curtains open in the day to let sunlight in, and then closing them as soon as it gets dark can help trap warmth inside your home rather than letting it escape through the glass.
“Heavy or lined curtains work especially well, as thicker fabrics like velvet or wool act as an extra layer of insulation.
“Heavy curtains will hold heat better because the dense fabric creates a barrier between the warm air indoors and the cold air outside.
“This reduces heat transfer through the glass, keeping warm air circulating inside your home instead of being lost.”
By blocking draughts and slowing down how quickly heat escapes, curtains can make a noticeable difference to both the comfort of your living spaces and your energy bills.
6. OPT FOR WOOL
When it comes to your flooring, the material matters.
The expert shared: “Carpets made from natural fibres like wool are fantastic at retaining heat.
“Wool fibres trap air, providing insulation underfoot that helps to keep warmth inside the home, perfect if you’re in need of some further insulation.
“Synthetic options such as polypropylene can also be a great choice as they’re durable, budget-friendly, and still offer good insulation compared to hard flooring surfaces like laminate or tiles.”
A well-chosen carpet or rug not only feels soft but can cut down on heat loss in certain areas of your home.
If you are thinking of replacing any flooring, you can also look at getting underlays placed for your carpets.
James added: “Carpet underlay will not only provide you with extra heat and noise insulation but can also extend the lifespan of your carpet and provide extra comfort underfoot, making it a great choice for anyone wanting to lock in more heat during the colder months.”
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.
