10 Lovely and Practical Ways to Prepare Your Living Space for Winter

Heavy rains, sudden storms, and chilly weather are all part of the Australian winter experience. Because of the cold and lack of daylight, people are drawn to inside activities and the cosiness of their homes. As the weather begins to cool, homeowners may make some basic preparations to ensure that their homes are comfortable, snug, and warm throughout the winter. So, to guarantee your comfort, health, and safety during these colder months, here are some simple recommendations on how to prepare your home.

Heat Your Home and Keep It Warm

Throws
Source: ehc.co.uk

Heating an entire house is more expensive than heating only the rooms you use, so keep all unneeded rooms closed. Instead of constantly using a heater, warm yourself with quality blankets and throws that are not only cosy but also look wonderful and complement the winter style and atmosphere of your home.

You should also make sure you’re appropriately dressed, as the air trapped between each layer of clothes helps warm you up and keep you warm. Heaters may quickly dry out your skin which is why it’s necessary to check on the humidity level in your home, apply moisturizer and lip balm, and stay hydrated to keep your skin (and throat) from drying out. During the coldest days of winter, warm up the house with more cooking and baking at home. It surely will be appreciated by your family and friends!

Insulate Your Home Properly

Insulating your home properly can help you save money on heating and keep your home warm in the winter. Using a door snake or rolled-up towel on the gaps between the bottom of the door and the floor is a simple way to insulate the property. And if your windows aren’t properly sealed, they can allow a lot of hot air to escape and a lot of chilly air to come in, so be sure they are!

Set Up a Proper Ventilation System

During the winter, with doors and windows shut most of the time, interior air can become stale. Use a ceiling fan on a low setting, or an air purifier to clean and refresh the air in the home to ensure there is still some airflow. When possible, dry garments outside or in well-ventilated rooms.

If you’re using a clothes dryer, make sure the air is vented to the outside via an exhaust fan or pipe. Check to see if any air vents are obstructed. Keep furniture away from walls to improve airflow in the space. Keep doors closed in the kitchen and bathroom to prevent steam from entering colder rooms and producing excessive condensation. Keep the exhaust fans running to allow the steam to escape.

Invest in an adsorbent dehumidifier for homes with inadequate ventilation or major dampness issues – they work quite well at eliminating moisture from the air, especially during the chilly winter months. Drying dehumidifiers have the advantage of being able to double as a heater in the winter because they generate heat as part of the dehumidification process.

Take Full Advantage of Your Fireplace

Living room with fireplace
Source: studio-mcgee.com

If you have a fireplace, use it as a focal point during the winter months. If you don’t have any, lots of (safely lit) candles on the mantel or table can suffice. While deep, rich colours are generally associated with winter decor, this area maintains a light and airy feel. Bring the armchairs closer to the fire to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Again, this is where your winter blankets and throws come in the handiest!

Place Area Rugs on the Floor

Plush throw rugs
Source: wayfair.com

The sensation of bare feet on a cold floor is enough to make anyone despise winter. Try covering any bare floor portions of your home with plush throw rugs to make things a little comfier if you want to avoid that all-too-common—and quite unpleasant—sensation. Rugs just like throws and soft pillows on your sofa can significantly boost the overall feeling of warmth as well as the real physical warmth of your room.

Visually Warm Up Your Home With Lighting

Indoor spotlights in living room
Source: en.paulmann.com

In the winter, you’ll want to do so by switching to warmer white bulbs than what you regularly use. Warm indoor spotlights will effectively warm up the entire space and create that nice, glowing ambience. When it’s hot outside, cool white lighting is ideal, but when it’s chilly outside, you’ll want to make sure you have a warmer light to help you relax, unwind, and feel at ease.

The quickest approach to add visual warmth to a room is to instal a dimmer switch. You simply adjust it once it’s fitted to dim the lights and enjoy a comfortable atmosphere. Improving the practical and aesthetic elements in the environment of your home isn’t the only approach to making it feel more inviting. Diffusers provide natural aromatherapy while also humidifying the environment. To keep the environment feeling comfortable and toasty, try one with relaxing lavender, spicy cinnamon, or sweet vanilla.

Keep an Eye on the Exterior of Your House

The outdoors is a feature of the house that we often overlook. Autumn leaves can clog drains, pipelines, and gutters, preventing rainfall from draining properly. Take some time to clean out your gutters of leaves and other debris, and then give them a nice hose rinse. In the event of a downpour, this will allow any water to flow freely rather than causing an overflow.