Winter is here, which means it’s time to brew some hot chocolate and cozy up under a blanket with your favorite Christmas album. 

But, cozying up under a blanket is easier said than done if your house is freezing and you can’t seem to get warm. Of course, you can always crank the heat in your home, but that will only lead to higher electric bills. 

Luckily, there are plenty of things you can resort to, having the cheapest but most efficient heating system ensures that you’ll stay warm from head to toe during the cold winter months.

Check out this guide to learn how to keep your house warm during the winter. 

1. Make Use of Your Curtains 

Those curtains hanging in your home?

They’re not just there for decoration. Your curtains can help keep you warm during the cold winter months. 

During the daylight hours, open your curtains up so you can soak in some of that free heat from the sun.

Then, when the sun starts to set, close your curtains so you can keep the warm air insulated inside. 

You should also check around your windows to make sure there aren’t any gaps or leaks that are allowing warm air to slip out and cold air to creep in. 

2. Use Timers for Your Central Heating 

There’s no use in having your heat running during the day when you’re gone at work, so make sure you make the most of your central heating system by using a timer. 

Ideally, your home will come with a programmable thermostat so you never have to remind yourself to turn the heat up or down. 

However, if you live in an older home, this likely isn’t an option. Luckily, all it takes is a reminder on your phone to remember to adjust the heat before leaving the house and before going to bed. 

3. Move Your Sofa 

Most of us love placing our sofas right in front of our radiators so we can absorb that heat right up when we’re lying on the couch and watching Netflix. 

However, while this may make you feel cozy while you’re lying on your sofa, it’ll make you feel uncomfortable when you’re spending time in the rest of your home. 

This is because placing your sofa right in front of your radiator will cause your sofa to trap all of the heat and not allow it to spread to other parts of your home. 

By moving your sofa away from the radiator, warm air can circulate freely. 

The same principle applies to your curtains and drying clothes. Keep these items away from your radiator so that you can get the most out of your heating unit. 

4. Opt for Warm Floors 

If you have perfectly good floors, you don’t want to uproot them just for the sake of making your home warmer. 

However, if it’s time to install new floors in your home, you might as well go with a material that will help keep you warm. 

Some of the best warm flooring options include:

  • Carpet
  • Cork 
  • Vinyl
  • Laminate
  • Tile 
  • Engineered hardwood 

If you think that carpet is the right choice for you, be sure to check out this guide on the top things to know before selecting a carpet for your home. 

5. Add Insulation 

If you paid attention in science class, then you know that cold air sinks and warm air rises. 

This means that when it comes to heating your home, you’re going to lose a lot of it through your roof. In fact, according to the Energy Saving Trust, about 25 percent of a home’s heat is lost through the roof. 

Luckily, you can prevent heat from escaping through your roof by adding insulation. 

Although insulation isn’t cheap to install, it will end up saving you a ton of money in the long run on your heating bills. 

6. Take Care of Your Fireplace 

Many homes rely partially (or even fully) on fireplaces to provide them with a heat source. 

Plus, nothing says warm like snuggling up to a fireplace with a blanket and a loved one. 

But, to make the most out of your fireplace, there are some things you need to do. First things first, before winter strikes, you should hire a professional chimney sweeper to clean the inside of your fireplace as well as inspect the outside for any cracks or damage. 

Even if your fireplace is in seemingly great condition, you should have it inspected once per year. 

In addition to an annual inspection, you should also close any surrounding doors when using your fireplace. This is because a fireplace draws in air from the inside and can make the room it’s in feel drafty. To prevent this draft, keep all other doors closed. 

Also, if you don’t have a fireplace in your home, you may want to consider investing in a small portable fireplace. These are very cost-effective and can add an element of instant coziness to any room. 

7. Create a Warm Ambiance 

While you can do all of the above to tinker with the temperature at home, we must also not forget that warmth is a state of mind. 

In other words, by creating a warm ambiance in your home, you can trick your mind into thinking that your home is warmer than it is. Here are some things you can do to create a warm ambiance:

  • Paint your walls a dark color
  • Create tabletop centerpieces made from winter greenery
  • Add seasonal scents to your home such as cinnamon, vanilla, or pine
  • Place some area rugs on your floor
  • Invest in softer lighting
  • Toss a colorful blanket and some colorful throw pillows onto your sofa
  • Add some candles and extra lamps to your living spaces

As you can see, there are a lot of simple things you can do to create a warm and cozy ambiance. 

How to Keep Your House Warm: Are You Ready to Heat Things Up? 

Now that you know how to keep your house warm, it’s time to put these tips into action. 

And, if you liked this article, be sure to check back in with our blog for more home living tips and tricks.