Christmas is now pretty much on the doorstep, and the weather outside is cold and getting colder. At this time of year, it’s important to consider ways in which you can maximize the feeling of coziness in your home. A cozy home feels relaxing and offers a refuge from all the stresses of the outside world.
Follow these 6 steps to make your home feel cozy this Christmas.
Add A Bit Of Color
These days a lot of people prefer to go for neutral shades when designing and decorating their homes, particularly if you are a fan of more minimalist styles. But when it comes to this time of year, even just a splash of color here and there can make a big difference to how warm a room feels.
Even though it might not physically warm you up, colors have a psychological effect on your mind, and warm colors like reds and golds can make a room look cozier. Wintry blues and whites can give a colder feel to a room, so it’s better to swap out these colors for a warmer effect.
You can add color by hanging pictures on the walls, swapping curtains, bedclothes, or even tablecloths. Honestly, you will be surprised the difference even changing a few cushions can make to how warm a room looks.
Wood And Electric Fires
A fire is a great way of creating an atmosphere in a room. The sound of flames is a quiet background noise that is relaxing to listen to, and a fire gives the added benefit of actually warming up a room, not just looking warm.
Electric fires are growing in popularity these days, but wood burners are still reasonably common as well. The main advantage of these is that you can burn scented woods. Apple wood gives off a nice, sweet scent, and pinewood is a winter classic.
The problem with wood burners is that you need a chimney, meaning it probably is not an option for anyone living in apartments, and you will need to keep the chimney clean.
Get Rid Of Dampness
Winter is a time when damp can spread very quickly and easily. As well as just not looking very nice, dampness can trigger allergies, asthma, and cause other health problems, so it needs to be dealt with.
Even though the temptation in winter is to keep the windows shut, having them open for a little while every day is the simplest way of preventing damp. If damp does gather, you can easily find mold or mildew sprays. Just make sure you keep the room well ventilated while using them.
It’s important to maintain air quality for health reasons. Damp often grows around windows and air vents. Getting vent cleaning services like DUCTZ can help you maintain good air quality.
De-Clutter Your Rooms
With Christmas approaching, there is often a mad dash to get presents and cards this time of year. When you are done getting everything ready, you can be left with mountains of extra wrapping paper and spare envelopes you didn’t actually use.
You have two options here. Either throw it out (or recycle it) or store it away somewhere out of the way for next year. Everyone talks about spring cleaning, but if you have some time on your hands, a bit of winter cleaning can quickly make your home feel less cluttered and hectic.
Cover Wood Or Tile Surfaces
Wooden or tile floors can easily get very cold in the winter months. Carpets are ideal, but unless you are prepared to get work done to lay carpeting down, it’s usually cheaper and easier to throw down a few rugs or mats here and there. A pair of slippers also works simple wonders here.
The same rule applies to tables. Cover them over with a tablecloth so that you keep a layer between yourself and cold surfaces.
Change To Winter Bedspread
Health experts say that it is better to sleep in a cool room, but that doesn’t mean you should be cold. You probably want the central heating to go on for a little while before you go to bed, but once you’re there, a set of winter bedclothes can be crucial for feeling warm and cozy.
Flannel covers are a good choice here. It is also worth considering the favorite trick of slipping two duvets into one cover to give you an extra layer of warmth.
