I used to struggle to keep my open plan layout warm in winter — but these 4 methods now keep it cosy all day long

As winter approaches, many people seek to transform their homes into warm and inviting sanctuaries. Interior designers offer numerous practical and aesthetic strategies to achieve this cozy atmosphere through simple and often inexpensive decorating ideas. The key to creating a comfortable winter home involves thoughtful layering, strategic use of lighting and textures, and incorporating elements that evoke a sense of warmth and natural beauty. Layering is a fundamental technique for enhancing coziness. This applies to soft furnishings like pillows and blankets, which can be added to beds, sofas, and accent chairs to provide visual depth and physical comfort. These items don't necessarily need to be new; existing pieces stored away for guests or other seasons can be repurposed. Beyond textiles, layering also extends to lighting. Relying solely on overhead lights can make a space feel cold. Instead, integrating multiple light sources such as table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces, preferably with dimming capabilities, allows for adjustable ambiance, transitioning a room from bright functionality to warm intimacy. Scent and visual appeal play crucial roles in setting a cozy mood. Candles, with their soft glow and pleasant fragrances, are highly effective. Winter-specific scents like pine can enhance the seasonal atmosphere. When selecting candles, prioritizing natural scents and ingredients contributes to a healthier and more enjoyable environment. Blankets, even when not actively in use, contribute to the perception of warmth and hospitality. Storing them neatly in decorative baskets makes them accessible and adds to the room's aesthetic, signaling comfort to both residents and guests. Fabric choices significantly impact a home's coziness during colder months. Swapping out lightweight summer fabrics like cotton and linen for plusher, warmer textures such as wools, mohairs, velvets, and bouclés on pillows and throws instantly elevates the comfort level. This can be achieved through simple changes like new pillow covers or by rotating seasonal throws. For bedrooms, incorporating multiple layers on beds, such as duvets folded at the foot, provides extra warmth and comfort, adaptable to fluctuating temperatures. Color palettes can also be adjusted to reflect the season's mood. Winter is an opportune time to introduce darker, richer colors like deep greens, blues, burgundy, brown, and gray. These changes don't require repainting entire rooms; instead, they can be introduced through accessories such as pillows, blankets, wall art, rugs, and other decorative items. This subtle shift in color scheme contributes to a more enclosed and warm feeling. Utilizing existing spaces in new ways can also enhance winter comfort. Sunrooms, often enjoyed in warmer months, can be adapted for year-round use by installing energy-efficient windows. This transforms them into valuable secondary living spaces where occupants can enjoy views of falling snow while remaining warm indoors. Creating designated areas for rest and relaxation, such as reading nooks, by adding soft ottomans or footstools, encourages unwinding during the naturally slower pace of winter. Finally, incorporating wintry decor and bringing nature indoors further solidify the cozy ambiance. Subtle additions like light garlands, small Christmas villages, or pine wreaths can create an elegant wintery feel without cluttering the space. Positioning furniture to maximize views of the outdoors, such as falling leaves or snowy landscapes, allows for appreciation of nature while staying comfortable. Furthermore, integrating natural elements through artwork, patterns on accessories, or decorative objects featuring birds or fauna can have a positive psychological effect, connecting residents with the outside world even when confined indoors. #WinterDecorating #CozyHome #InteriorDesignTips #HomeComfort #SeasonalDecor #LayeringTextiles #WarmLighting #NaturalElements #WinterColorPalette

The transition between seasons and the onset of cold weather often reveal temperature inconsistencies within homes, prompting the need for efficient supplemental heating solutions. Concerns regarding the safety and performance of space heaters are common, particularly in older residences with limited electrical capacity. To address these concerns and identify reliable options, a comprehensive evaluation of top-rated space heaters was conducted by Better Homes & Gardens. This testing process spanned over 200 hours, involving 55 different units, focusing on critical aspects such as heating performance, design, safety features, and overall value. The Shark TurboBlade Cool + Heat was identified as the best overall space heater. This model excels due to its dual functionality as both a heater and a fan, offering extensive customization options. It features three heat settings, ten fan speeds, and precise temperature control. The unit demonstrated rapid heating capabilities and consistent temperature output in various orientations, effectively distributing warmth across an open-concept living area from a distance of 10 feet. Its user-friendly touch-screen controls and remote, with a range of up to 15 feet, enhance convenience. Despite its considerable size (approximately 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide in tower orientation, doubling in width when horizontal), its stability was a notable advantage, resisting accidental tipping. For budget-conscious consumers, the Amazon Basics Small Space Personal Mini Heater proved to be a valuable option. This compact and lightweight ceramic heater, priced at $15, offers targeted personal warmth rather than heating an entire room. With a single setting and a low power draw of 500 watts, it is suitable for older electrical systems. It heats up quickly (within 10 seconds) and maintains consistent output, with the body remaining cool to the touch. Key safety features include tip-over and overheat protection. Although it has a limited heating range of about 18 inches, its stability on various surfaces was unexpected given its small size. The Vornado Velocity Cube 5S Whole Room Heater was recognized as the best small option. This compact yet powerful forced-air heater is designed for small to mid-sized rooms, capable of uniformly heating a space without oscillation. In testing, it consistently brought a room to a set temperature of 72°F within 10 minutes. While it lacks a remote, its manual swivel base allows for directional airflow. The unit’s portability is enhanced by a built-in handle and cord organizer, and its digital temperature display is visible from different vantage points. Safety features include a cool-to-the-touch exterior, robust tip-over resistance, and an automatic shutoff mechanism activated if the unit is not on its base, along with lockable controls. The Lasko Duo Comfort Electric Ceramic Space Heater was selected as the best tower-style unit, functioning as both a fan and a heater for year-round use. It offers three heat settings, an Auto Eco mode for temperature maintenance, and four fan settings. The remote control allows for easy adjustments, and the heater quickly becomes effective, evident within a minute of activation. Its slim, tall design makes it suitable for placement in corners, and its shape contributes to stability, though it lacks automatic shutoff for tipping. The unit includes overheat protection and a cleanable filter to maintain performance. Finally, the Dreo Whole Room Heater 714 earned recognition for its superior safety features. Despite being tested in an open-concept living area larger than its recommended coverage, the Dreo model provided strong targeted warmth, especially on its highest setting, and quickly reached its operating temperature within 30 to 45 seconds. Its robust design makes it difficult to tip over, and when tipped, it promptly emits an alarm, ceases operation, and displays an error code indicating the issue, with additional codes for temperature sensor problems. This clarity in error reporting aids in troubleshooting. The unit is portable, weighing about 6.45 pounds, and includes a digital control panel and remote, making it a convenient choice despite its higher price point for its size. Overall, the selection process involved evaluating heating elements (convection, radiant, oil-filled), crucial safety features like tip-over and overheat protection, and wattage, which impacts heating power and compatibility with household electrical circuits. Recommendations emphasize following manufacturer instructions, avoiding extension cords for space heaters, and considering the energy efficiency aspects tailored to specific room sizes and needs. The article concludes by advising against leaving space heaters on overnight, promoting safer practices like pre-heating spaces and utilizing alternative warmth sources during sleep. #SpaceHeaters #HomeHeating #ProductReview #HomeSafety #EnergyEfficiency #ApplianceTesting #SeasonalComfort #HomeImprovement

For many homeowners, the shift from warmer seasons to fall and winter typically signals the end of outdoor activities like lounging and dining on the patio. However, the onset of colder weather doesn't necessitate the immediate packing away of patio furniture or the complete abandonment of outdoor living spaces. The American Institute of Architects' 2017 Home Design Trends Survey highlighted a growing consumer interest in expanding home functionality through significant investments in outdoor areas. This survey revealed a 72 percent increase in the popularity of outdoor living spaces between 2012 and 2017, underscoring homeowners' desire to spend more time outdoors. By adopting specific strategies to winterize these spaces, homeowners can continue to enjoy their outdoor environments even during the colder months. One effective method for extending the usability of an outdoor space into winter is to cover the deck. While a covered deck might initially seem to detract from the open-air experience in spring and summer, it offers crucial protection from the sun on intensely hot days and significantly enhances winter functionality. An overhead shelter can be equipped with heaters, making it possible for residents to relax outdoors and observe falling snow without getting wet. In warmer months, fans can be incorporated to provide a cooling effect, further maximizing the space's versatility. Strategic landscaping also plays a vital role in creating a winter-friendly outdoor area. Planting coniferous trees is particularly beneficial as they act as natural windbreaks, mitigating the harshness of winter gusts. Homeowners unsure about prevailing wind directions can consult a landscape architect. These professionals can accurately determine optimal planting locations to ensure the trees provide maximum effectiveness in wind reduction, thereby making the outdoor space more comfortable. Incorporating a fire feature is another excellent way to make an outdoor living space warm and inviting during winter. A firepit or a full-fledged fireplace can transform a chilly patio into a cozy retreat, perfect for evening gatherings. While a built-in firepit represents a more substantial investment, it offers greater stability and resilience against winter weather conditions compared to portable, standalone firepits, which are more susceptible to being overturned by strong winds. Finally, adequate lighting is essential for winter outdoor living. The shorter days and earlier sunsets of winter mean natural light is insufficient for evening use. Heat lamps serve a dual purpose by providing both warmth and illumination, offering a budget-friendly solution for extending outdoor enjoyment. These lamps ensure the space remains well-lit and comfortable, allowing activities to continue into the evening hours. With these thoughtful adjustments, outdoor living spaces can be successfully adapted for continuous enjoyment throughout the winter season, maintaining their appeal and utility year-round. #WinterFriendly #OutdoorLiving #HomeDesignTrends #DeckCovering #ConiferousTrees #Firepit #HeatLamps #HomeImprovement #Winterization

As winter approaches, many regions in South Africa experience significant temperature drops. Homes in South Africa often feature tiled floors, open-plan layouts, and large windows, designs that are beneficial in summer but can lead to cold interiors during winter. The challenge then becomes how to keep a home warm and comfortable without incurring excessive costs. This article explores various heating options, emphasizing energy efficiency to help homeowners make informed decisions. The primary consideration for efficient home heating is insulation, which can reduce energy consumption by as much as 51%. Specifically, insulating the ceiling is highlighted as the most straightforward and effective method to prevent warm air from escaping. Additionally, closing exterior windows and internal doors to unheated rooms helps to contain warmth and minimize heat loss. Among the heating methods discussed, underfloor heating is identified as the least effective. While it can be installed in specific rooms, it requires significant energy to heat the floor before it impacts the room's temperature, and without proper roof insulation, the rising warm air is quickly lost. Wall-mounted heaters are noted for their low heating capacity, necessitating long operating times to warm a room. Their heat output is also partially absorbed by walls, reducing their efficiency. The article compares gas and electric heaters, noting that despite gas heaters being popular, they are not necessarily more effective than electric ones. The cost of bottled gas and the frequency of bottle replacement make electric heating a more convenient and controllable option. However, gas heaters offer the advantage of higher heating capacity and immediate warmth, though this comes at a proportional energy cost. For electric heater users, proper room insulation and sealing draughts are crucial for efficiency. Oil heaters, particularly those equipped with a thermostat, are suggested for contained spaces like single rooms. They require time and energy to heat up initially, but once the set temperature is reached, the thermostat efficiently maintains it. However, they are less effective in larger, open-plan areas. Fan heaters offer immediate warmth and direct heat flow, with various temperature settings and often a water reservoir to combat dry air. Air conditioners with a heating cycle are presented as a very effective and cost-efficient option, typically using half the power of an electric heater. Their efficiency decreases significantly below 5ºC ambient temperature due to insufficient heat absorption from the air. For bedrooms, electric blankets are proposed as an alternative to space heating, providing enclosed warmth with adjustable thermostats and requiring only 30 minutes to warm up before use. Ultimately, the choice of heating method should align with individual needs, room size, budget, and energy costs. Making the right choice ensures comfort and safety without overspending. The article concludes by reminding readers to monitor real-time Power Alert messages to help manage strain on the electricity system. #HomeHeating #EnergyEfficiency #WinterWarmth #Insulation #HeatingOptions #EnergySavingTips #HouseholdEnergy #SouthAfrica

With the holiday season concluded and winter continuing in the Pacific Northwest, homeowners are looking for ways to elevate their home’s aesthetic appeal, particularly focusing on the fireplace mantel. This often-overlooked element can become a wintry centerpiece, bringing warmth and comfort to living spaces during the colder months. Regardless of whether a fireplace is gas, wood-burning, electric, or even nonfunctional, there are several strategies to enhance its mantel. One key tip is to adopt a muted color palette. Interior designers suggest using soft greens, light neutrals, and deep, earthy tones to create a sophisticated winter look that complements existing decor. Emphasizing light-colored, soft textiles, candles, and lamps can counteract the gray, gloomy days, with darker accents providing contrast. An example of this could include white candles, a beige figurine, white branches, and art or family photos in dark frames, paired with a stack of darker, earth-toned books. Simplicity and intentionality are crucial when arranging items on the mantel. Designers advise against overstyling. The recommendation is to place a taller item, such as a vase with oversized plumage, on one side, and balance it with meaningful decor like a souvenir or pottery on the other. Varying elements like color, texture, and greenery, along with arranging items of different heights, can maintain visual interest. Establishing connections through style, theme, or color, such as using shades of green throughout the arrangement to echo other green elements in the room, ensures consistency. Matching metallic tones on mantel items with existing lighting fixtures also contributes to a cohesive design. The article also suggests that iconic winter decor, such as vintage snowshoes, twinkling white lights, snowflake garlands, or rustic metal snowflakes, can be displayed beyond the holiday season to extend the wintry ambiance. Incorporating natural elements from outdoors is another effective strategy. Gathering green boughs, pine cones, rosemary springs, or berry-filled branches can add an organic touch. For a more dramatic effect, branches can be spray-painted white and placed in a large vase or across the mantel. Eucalyptus, with its silvery-green hue and pleasant aroma, or a midwinter wreath featuring eucalyptus and evergreens, can also bring nature indoors. Certain indoor plants, such as red anthurium, sweet-smelling jasmine, kalanchoe, and amaryllis bulbs, flower in winter and can be used, provided they are kept well-hydrated and away from excessive heat. For those with minimal or nonexistent mantel shelves, creative solutions are available. On narrow ledges, objects like vintage bowling pins or tall candlesticks can be placed against the wall. A small trailing plant can add depth without occupying much space. Hanging a large mirror or art above a narrow mantel draws the eye upward, as can a collection of mirrors, hats, or woven bowls, creating a focal point that distracts from the small mantel. A gallery wall, featuring a seasonally rotating space with a hook for twined bundles of winter branches, berries, spring grasses, or autumn lavender, offers a dynamic and lifelike display. Even without a functional fireplace, a sense of warmth can be created. A corner can be transformed into a cozy “moment” with antique or vintage candleholders clustered on a console or coffee table. In modern homes, grouping tapers of varying heights or mixing sleek candleholders can achieve a similar effect. Adding comfortable seating, a basket of blankets, and reading lamps can establish an inviting getaway area. For nonfunctional fireplaces, the cavity can be filled with unlit candle groupings, a basket of logs, or other seasonal decor. Updating the mantelpiece itself can significantly enhance the fireplace’s appearance. Painting the mantel a darker color, such as charcoal gray or black, can make it pop against lighter walls. Dated brick mantels can be painted to match the wall color, whitewashed, limewashed to brighten the hue, or resurfaced with a skim coat. For renters or those with limited time, heat-resistant stick-on tiles can cover dated fireplace tile or brick. Custom-fabricated mantels can be sourced from local woodworkers, or pre-built options, floating shelves, or upcycled beams can be found at reuse and salvage stores or on platforms like Etsy. Finally, rearranging the room to face the fireplace can maximize appreciation for the newly designed mantel. For asymmetrical fireplaces, balancing the space with a tall plant next to the mantel or an off-center piece of art above it, along with a vase of tall branches and collectibles, can create harmony. If a television is positioned above the fireplace, a room can be divided into two sections: one for TV viewing and another, more intimate area facing the fireplace, allowing for enjoyment of both the flames and the updated decor. Embracing the fireplace, even with a small chair to occasionally enjoy its warmth, is encouraged to make the most of this architectural feature. The article emphasizes that a well-styled mantel contributes significantly to a home's winter comfort and aesthetic. These suggestions, from color choices to decor placement and structural updates, offer a comprehensive guide to transforming a fireplace mantel into a captivating and cozy focal point for the colder months. #MantelDecor #WinterDecor #HomeStyling #FireplaceDesign #InteriorDesign #SeasonalDecor #HomeImprovement #CozyHome #DIYDecor