4 Ways to Cozy Up Your Home

It’s a bitter winter day complete with wind and freezing temperatures. You can’t wait to arrive home to a warm, cozy house after a long day trudging through ice and snow. You’re ready to shed your mittens and boots and turn up the thermostat so you can defrost your fingers and toes. How else can you cozy up your home when it’s cold outside?

Add Warm Home Decor

Have extra blankets handy to stay warm while you snuggle up on your couch or favorite chair. Cushy pillows add coziness to the living room too. Use area rugs on your hardwood and tile floors to keep your feet toasty. Warm scents like cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla create a warm atmosphere and help you relax. Try potpourri, scented candles, or wax melts to fill the air with cozy fragrances.

Upgrade your window coverings to energy-efficient shades or drapes. Let the sunlight stream through your windows during the day to warm the house. When the temperature dips at night, close your insulated curtains to stop cold air from seeping into your living space.

Help the Furnace Run Efficiently

When the air outside is below freezing, your heater will turn on regularly. Your HVAC system needs proper care to ensure it runs efficiently. Change the air filters and clean dust from the air vents as needed. Check that your furniture isn’t blocking the air vents so heated air can flow freely into the room.

If the furnace trips the circuit breaker, that’s a sign that something is wrong. Schedule a maintenance check-up before the heater stops working. Finding a minor problem now can save you money compared to paying for expensive repairs later.

Turn the thermostat down at night. Don’t make the furnace work hard during cold evenings when your sheets and blankets can keep you toasty while you sleep under the covers.

Insulate Your Home

You can help the HVAC system run efficiently by insulating the house. Check your doors and windows for drafts. Use felt or foam weatherstripping or a towel to seal gaps in window and door frames to keep the heat in and the cold air out.

Heat may be escaping through the attic and basement also. Try adding insulation in the roof and the walls. Close the vents and doors in any extra rooms you don’t use every day. Let your furnace concentrate the heat in the living spaces where your family spends most of the day.

Reverse Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans often include a reverse function that can help maintain the temperature in the house. Running fans clockwise pushes warm air trapped near the ceiling down into the room. Use a low fan speed, so the fan does not cool the heated air.

Try these ways to create a cozy home this winter. You can keep warm on the inside too with a cup of hot cocoa, soup or tea. Relax under a fuzzy blanket while you wait for the lazy, hot summer days to return.