Battling the frosty winter means more than bundling up in coats and hats before you go out. You want your home to feel warm and welcoming, too. Let’s look at different ways to create that cozy environment.
Warm Colors
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Soft Lights
A cozy room needs proper lighting. Use lampshades and dimmers for softening harsh light. If the light from the window bothers you, use window sheers beneath the drapes that filter the light. Lampshades in creamy white or pastel colors also warm up a room. You can also have some fun and try light bulbs in soft colors that give off a warm glow.
Warm Feet
Keeping your feet warm helps you feel warmer. Using rugs underfoot warms up your room without increasing heating costs. Use a high-pile rug, one that invites you to sink your feet in. If the area needs a large rug and your budget’s a little tight, check with carpet stores. Buying a remnant and having the edges bound costs less than buying a large area rug.
Your Furnace
If the room still feels cold, maybe it’s time for a furnace checkup. When was the last time you changed the air filter? If it’s been a while, that’s the first place to look. But if your utility bills are through the roof, your family’s constantly fighting colds, or the temperature varies from room to room, then it’s probably
Personal Touches
Adding artwork or objects give a homey feel to any room. Use objects that drum up happy memories, such as vacation photos. Draw the eye to these touches by placing them in the center of a table, on the fireplace mantle, or arranged artfully on the wall. Using books also brings added warmth to a room. Whether placed on the coffee table or on shelves, books create a quiet coziness.
Ceiling Fans
Since warm air rises, it collects at the top of a room. Although it might sound counterintuitive, turn on the ceiling fan, but
Always make sure you seal drafty doors and windows. Even placing a heavy towel at the bottom of an outside door helps keep out the cold air. Adding weatherstripping to doors and windows helps, too. Using all these tips keeps your family warm and cozy no matter how harsh the weather.
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