Ahhh, winter. Frosty mornings, woolly hats and fleecy scarves and open fires. What’s not to like? Of course, heating your home throughout the winter has always been somewhat more expensive. But this year, it seems that there’s no getting away from the increased costs of our homes.
We’re all pondering ways to save money at home. Winter is a beautiful and magical season, and we’re all for embracing ways we can adapt our homes to make it both pretty and practical. We’ve compiled 7 tips on how to save money in the home, all the while transitioning your space with lovely winter interior.
Invest in winter bedding
As temperatures drop to their lowest point throughout the night, it’s important to make sure you’ve got the cosiest bed going. Investing in winter bedding that will feel cosy, comforting and instantly warming, will be like the gift that keeps on giving.
Speaking of which, if any of your family members have winter birthdays, fleecy bedding is a winner. Individuals are appreciating multi-functional gifts, so think twice when you head to buy a box of smellies this year.
Things to consider when assessing your ultimate bedding needs:
Pick a cosy quilt
Ensure this is of a high tog – we recommend 13.5 and above. Also consider what this is made of the outer sheet and the filling. Down duvets, for example, are excellent for heat regulation and are therefore good for both winter and summer.
Think flannel sheets
It’s common these days for people to mix and match their bedding. Rather than going for an all-in-one set, consider going for a super cosy bottom sheet with a lighter duvet and pillow set, and then, simply switch your sheet as the weather changes. Adding a flannel fitted sheet is a great way to trap the heat, and a fitted shape in a bright colour looks great with a contrasting duvet cover.
Line your bed wisely
Upgrade your duvet and pillow linen set to something that is befitting of such a season. Cotton bedding that’s heavier in weight is a great option for the winter months, whilst still allowing for breathability. Fleece, wool and flannel bedding are amongst the favourites for the ultimate warmth.
Loyal layers
Layer ‘em up! If you’re keen to save money in winter, having an optional and interchangeable top layer on your bed means you can react quickly to drop in temperature, rather than having to whack the heating on. Adding a beautiful bedspread will not only switch up the look but provide an extra layer of comfort.
Heat the space you’re in, not the whole house
Whilst in the past it may have felt easier to heat the whole house, it’s a lot more efficient and effective to heat the space you’re in. Finding ways to keep the room you are in warm, will save you from heating rooms that aren’t in use. Here are some alternative ideas to putting that heating on:
Take the heat with you
We can happily report that there are now so many electric stoves and heaters that have a modern and contemporary look, rather than the old fashioned ones you could be thinking of. Consider adding an economical heater to the primary living room in your house, shut the doors and get cosy.
Stock up and stoke your fire
If you’re fortunate enough to have an open fire or log burner in your home, what could be more perfect than snuggling up with the crackle of a real fire in the background. Keeping your kindling and log store well stocked will serve you well this winter.
Have a heated blanket to hand
If you don’t always look forward nights in during the winter, you need a heated blanket. They now heat up in minutes and are extremely economical to run! Ofgem announced that it costs a mere 28p per kilowatt hour for the average energy bill, whereas a 100W heated blanket only costs 19.6p to run for one hour a day, once a week.
When paired with snug bedding, this is the perfect combination for keeping your bedroom toasty and support you with a pleasant night’s sleep.
Stop the draughts
The door is locked, you’ve changed into your skin-hugging loungewear and you and the family are enjoying an evening together. The last thing you want is to be distracted with chilling draughts; by tweaking your environment, you can keep that warmth in where it belongs. Here are some handy hacks you may not have considered…
Layer up with a large rug
Even if your room is carpeted, draughts can still creep up through the spaces in your floorboards. By adding a rug to the room, you’re adding an extra layer of insulation. Plus, deep sheepskin and pile rugs feel so pleasant and warmer to walk on.
Maximise your insulation
Keep that door firmly shut! Wherever there’s access to the room, there’s also potential for heat to escape. Consider adding a door stop or draught excluder to maximise the insulation of the room once you’re tucked away for the evening.
Dress your windows
Over the past few years, wooden blinds and shutters have become increasingly popular when dressing one’s windows. But we mustn't forget the incredible heat retention properties that thermal curtains have. Adding a set of thermal curtains is a fantastic energy efficient choice, not to mention a great way to add a pop of colour in the room.
Switch from halogen to LED bulbs
You might be wondering how much of an impact a light bulb can have. If you’ve not already made the switch, this should be a consideration in getting ahead of those rising costs this winter. There are more bulbs than you think, with an average of 67 lights per home it adds up.
Energy saving without compromising on brightness
According to lightsupplier, an LED bulb uses approximately 90% less energy than a halogen or incandescent bulb! They even last longer - because LED bulbs don’t generate any heat, they can last around 20 times longer than a traditional bulb.
Ultimate mood lighting: turn off the lights and light a candle
Hit the lights and create some ambience. This is both a practical and romantic way to utilise less lighting on an evening. Large candles can burn on average for 60 hours, so go back to basics and create a fantastic environment the easy way
Scented and stress-free vibes
Don’t forget there’s more than one benefit to the relaxing, flickering glow of a candle. By choosing scented candles to set the mood, their added benefit is that they help to relieve stress. Our sense of smell loves to be treated to fragrance candles in the room, so what better way to light your room?
Move your sofa
Get creative with your space! Consider the locations of your furniture within the room and whether they are best placed for retaining warmth. Having a switch around is often a great thing to do when the seasons change anyway.
If your sofa is placed against your radiator, it could be stopping that heat from circulating & warming the rest of the room.
Go around the borders of the room and feel high and low for any draughts and consider solutions for blocking these. Consider layering rugs to create a deep comfortable place to sit. Add throws and cushions to your seating area so that you can cuddle up.
Go around the borders of the room and feel high and low for any draughts and consider solutions for blocking these. Consider layering rugs to create a deep comfortable place to sit. Add throws and cushions to your seating area so that you can cuddle up.
Save more with a smart home
Myth buster: you don’t need to be super techy or spend a lot to have a smart home. Having a smart home literally just means that some of your everyday facilities e.g., lights, appliances or heating are automated, or can be accessed remotely via an app.
Get smart with a thermostat
We’ve all been there. You’re 80% of the way through your journey to work in the morning, just starting to perk up from your coffee when you realise you have left the heating on. This is an expensive mistake to make these days, which is why we love the idea of a smart thermostat. Google Nest Learning Thermostat “automatically turns itself down after you leave so you’re not heating an empty home”. It’s the gadget you didn’t know you needed!
Switch up the mood lights
Smart lighting goes way beyond being able to switch on and off remotely. An array of string lights, smart bulbs and lighting shapes that double as wall art can all be controlled via an app. The majority of these allow you to change the colour of the lights to suit your decor for a multi sensory experience.
Plug into a sense of security
Smart plugs pretty much do what they say on the tin; if you’ve left something switched on and want to switch it off remotely, the appliance itself doesn't need to be smart. This also works the other way - if you want to switch on your coffee machine at the perfect time - voila!
There are so many ways you can get ahead of the cold season, and there’s no time like the present. Simply bringing your attention to elements within your routine that could be more energy efficient, is a great way to save some pennies. It’s not all doom and gloom - you can make your room look both stunning and cosy at the same time with some of these expert suggestions.
Is your bedroom your main area that needs a winter revamp? The better your bed linen, the better nights sleep you will have. If you don’t know where to start however, check out our guide on how to choose the best bed linen.
