 | ||
| Your browser is not supported. | ||
|
Please browse our site using any of the following options:
| ||
How to Stay Warm In Winter: 13 Ways to Warm Up Your Home and Escape the Chill
When the weather starts to cool, we often turn to ways to make our homes cosy, warm and inviting. The chill of winter can often lead to disrupted sleep and discomfort in our homes, making it important to create a snug and comforting place to find refuge from the cold weather. Whether you're living alone, with your family or housemates, there are a variety of different approaches you can take in learning how to stay warm in winter in your home.
We've curated 13 of our favourite changes you can make in your home to prevent the winter blues from infiltrating your personal sanctuary. From upgrading your sleeping arrangement with a warm quilt for winter to decorative pieces that completely transform your space, you'll be sure to find a way that works for you! At Spotlight, you can find everything you need to stay warm in winter - let these 13 ideas show you how!
Quick Links
- Thick Thermal And Blockout Curtains
- Draught Excluders And Stoppers
- Add a Layer of Insulation With Soft and Shaggy Rugs
- Decorate With A Warm Colour Palette
- Wool Mattress Toppers And Underlays For the Perfect Base
- Snuggly Sheets As the Foundation To Your Bed Linen
- A Winter Essential: Plush Quilts and Quilt Covers
- Relax With an at Home Spa Day
- Winter Layering With Blankets And Throws
- Cook Up a Storm of Warming Baked Treats and Hearty Meals
- Warm Up With a Cup of Tea or Coffee
- Comforting, Toasty Aromas
- Cosy Crafting: DIY Fashionable Winter Accessories
1. Thick Thermal and Blockout Curtains
Unless you've splurged on double-glazing, chances are your home is losing a lot of heat through the glass of your windows. Heavy, lined curtains (like blockout curtains and thermal curtains) provide insulation and keep the nippy weather from coming inside. They can also muffle loud noises from outside and will completely block out light from penetrating into your home, allowing you to sleep in complete darkness whenever you need to! Check out Spotlight's ready-made curtains and make sure to choose ones in warm colours and lush textures for an extra cosy feel.
For more information on the amazing ways the right window dressings can keep your home warm and toasty, make sure to read our blog articles on the best curtains and blinds for winter.
2. Draught Excluders and Stoppers
That cold wind is probably getting in around door frames, too. Stop the chill by placing a draught excluder or doorstop across the bottom of outside doors, and anywhere else your house gets a little breezy, like the bottom of a windowsill.
Draught excluders are also very useful on windy nights, where air entering and exiting your house can cause doors to shake in their frames. Wedge a draught excluder or doorstop into the gap and enjoy peace and quiet inside the home, even on a howling winter's night!
3. Add a Layer of Insulation With Soft and Shaggy Rugs
Layering rugs on bare floors goes a long way to keeping your home (and your toes!) nice and toasty - and safe from the freezing morning temperatures of wood and tile floors. Pay special attention to areas where you stand for long lengths of time - in front of kitchen counters, say - and around favourite chairs in the lounge, dining space and home office.
Look for rugs made out of warm materials like wool rugs and cotton rugs that you can dig your toes into - shaggy rugs are especially wonderful for this. Avoid thin, hard rugs made from stiff materials like jute rugs or seagrass, as while they are durable and long-lasting, they feel quite rough on your feet and won't do much to warm them up.
Tuck the edges of rugs under furniture to help keep them from moving around - under the end of your bed or the front of a couch are useful spots that will keep your rugs anchored in place. For more information on the types of rugs you can use, check out our buying guides on how to choose rugs for your home and the best ways to care for them.
4. Decorate With A Warm Colour Palette
Learning how to stay warm in winter is not just about the practical choices you make in terms of reducing the cold, but also about the styling decisions within your home. A cool colour palette of harsh greys, icy blues and pristine whites can often lead to creating a space that feels cold. Instead, consider styling your home with a warm colour palette in mind. Warm browns, rich rusts, and even deep green tones can all transform a room into a cosy space. These colours exude a cheerful warmth perfect for any room in your home. Look for cosy winter home decor such as cushions, throws and rugs in these tones and elevate the home styling of your space while simultaneously creating a warm and welcoming environment ideal for escaping the winter blues.
5. Wool Mattress Toppers and Underlays For the Perfect Base
A cold sleeping arrangement can lead to disrupted sleep, causing you to wake up in the middle of the night shivering due to the chilly air. That's why it's important to get your wintertime bedding as cosy as can be. (Because toasty pyjamas and fluffy bed socks can only take you so far.)
Wool fibres trap heat, and they're naturally breathable, so using a wool mattress topper or underlay keeps all that toasty warmth near your body as you sleep. Plus, it'll make your mattress more snug and comfortable, giving you a softer surface to sink into so you can surround yourself with toasty woollen fibres.
6. Snuggly Sheets As the Foundation To Your Bed Linen
Naturally, in winter, you'll want to pile on the blankets and throws for a cosy snooze. But don't forget that your sheets can up the warmth factor too. Flannelette sheets are perfect for winter, providing a warm, soft feel. Or try a teddy fleece fitted sheet and pillow for the ultimate in snuggly warmth. (It's pretty much like sleeping on a giant stuffed toy.)
Choose coordinating fitted sheets and flat sheets in your favourite winter material for a restful night's sleep, and make sure to have a few sets on hand so you can always have toasty sheets on your bed!
7. A Winter Essential: Plush Quilts and Quilt Covers
Updating your bedding with a warm quilt for winter is just the ticket for a good night's sleep throughout the colder weather. Winter quilts should be filled with a warming but breathable material like wool quilts or cotton quilts - or go for a luxurious down and feather-filled quilt for the ultimate bedtime comfort!
Look for quilt covers in warm colours and soft, snuggly textures. Faux furs, velvets, cords or teddy fabrics are all great for cuddling into on a cold night and will help elevate your bed's comfort, inviting you to snuggle right into those cosy textures! Avoid icy whites and greys and look for colours like orange, red and pink in your quilt covers to give your bed a more romantic and warming look. For more inspiration, you can read through our quilts buying guide, where you'll find helpful information on the right quilt covers and quilts for you.
8. Relax With an at Home Spa Day
If you're lucky enough to have some time for yourself, treating yourself to a cosy at-home spa day is one of the simplest forms of self-care you can enjoy. A warm bath is a great way to relax and unwind after a day of work - whether that's your day job or if you've just been running around the house. Make sure to use some scented soaps to help soothe your mind as well as your body (we love lavender and coconut aromas). You can even light a candle or two to help transform your bedroom into a calming and tranquil oasis.
Snuggle into some fluffy towels afterwards for that extra bit of pampering - we recommend a bath sheet for full body coverage and comfort, and then any of our delightful bathrobes for lounging around in afterwards.
9. Warm Throws and Electric Blankets
You thought blankets and throws were just for your bed? Keep warm all through the house with beautifully toasty throws in the lounge (to snuggle under while watching telly), home office (to cuddle up and read a book) or patio (to stay warm outside on chilly nights). Store them rolled up in baskets or just toss them over a sofa arm, ready for you to grab at will. Discover more info on our blankets and throws in this buying guide.
You can also invest in a heavenly electric blanket to warm up your bed before you get in or to keep you toasty warm as you fall asleep - read our buying guide on electric blankets so you know how to get the best out of yours!
For more inspiration on layering your blankets, check out our blog article on How to Layer Blankets For Winter.
10. Cook Up a Storm of Warming Baked Treats and Hearty Meals
Any excuse to pop the oven on is going to warm up your space, and yummy baked goods like gooey chocolate chip biscuits and fresh loaves of bread will also help you feel nice and warm as well. If you need some sweet treat ideas, make sure to look through our delectable cake and confectionery projects.
For something more savoury, try family-friendly wintertime treats like stews, casseroles and curries. Slow-cooked meals are a favourite for cold weather as they have a lot of hearty and filling ingredients that you can just pop into the pot and forget about for the rest of the day, or try using an air fryer to cook your favourite hot snacks quickly - crunchy spring rolls, hash browns and hot chips will satisfy your winter snack cravings in a flash! Check out some of our favourite recipes you can cook with the Culinary Co By Manu range for more cosy winter meal ideas.
11. Warm Up With a Cup of Tea or Coffee
A steaming mug of tea or coffee in the morning is a comforting way to greet a winter's day. If you want to get fancy, set up a tea and coffee station in the kitchen with a variety of tea blends and coffee beans so you can choose something to suit your mood every day. Spicy teas with ginger and berries will wake you up with a kick, while coffee beans with hints of vanilla and honey are a sweeter way to start your day.
For evening tipples, try warming brews like mulled wine, cocoa, or hot toddies. Keep a tea set on your dining table to encourage a cup of green or black tea with dinner and get out your favourite mugs to enjoy your sweet drinks, or even a helpful honey and lemon tincture to soothe your sore throat.
12. Comforting, Toasty Aromas
Aroma plays an integral role in establishing the aesthetic of a space. If you want your space to exude a cosy and welcoming ambience, consider incorporating warm scents into your home styling. Light a scented candle - or charge up a diffuser - with warm and comforting scents like cinnamon, vanilla, orange or spiced wood. The right aroma can totally change your mood, and helping beat the winter blues is a key way to enjoy life throughout the darker months of the year.
When lit, candles also exude a warm and cosy ambience with the flicker of their flame. When displayed on your bench top or coffee table in any room darkened due to the winter sun, the flickering flame illuminates the room with a serene glow that is effortlessly warming.
Struggling to choose between a candle and a diffuser? You can use both to strengthen the scent, however, there are some instances where certain home fragrances may not be appropriate. Candles come with a flame hazard, so they should not be used in spaces with flowing curtains or breezes from open windows, but their flame provides light and comfort that are ideal for creating a cosy space in winter. Diffusers provide a steady stream of scent and are safer to operate, but can be trickier to set up and maintain. Ultimately, consider where you'll be placing your home fragrances to help guide you in your decision making.
13. Cosy Crafting: DIY Fashionable Winter Accessories
Some crafts lend themselves to cuddling up under a blanket in front of the telly. Knitting, crochet and embroidery are lovely, wholesome crafts that often lead to creating cosy winter warmers such as a blanket, beanie or scarf! Macrame, knitting and most needle art hobbies don't require intense concentration once you have a rhythm going, which helps you relax by turning off your brain and allowing your thoughts to drift. Explore our range of free and ready to download knitting and crochet projects for heaps of crafty inspiration for your next winter project.
Keep Warm In Winter With A Little Help From Spotlight
With so many ways to stay warm, it's time to visit Spotlight to get everything you need to learn how to stay warm in winter. Shop online, pay your way and we'll deliver your order straight to your front door, or visit your nearest Spotlight store and our team will help you find everything you need for keeping warm this winter.
