An expert has shared some simple hacks to keep your bedroom warm this winter without having to spend any money…
As the chilly autumn and winter months set in, staying warm at home becomes a top priority. While turning up the heating can provide instant comfort, rising energy costs mean many households are looking for ways to save money wherever possible.
Last year, an estimated 1.7 million households said they planned to keep their central heating off all year round due to soaring energy bills. However, cold indoor temperatures can impact health, making people very sick as well as making it harder to get a good night’s sleep. The good news is that keeping warm doesn’t always have to mean turning on the heating.
Lisa David, product advisor at Opera Beds, has shared a few simple and affordable ways to make your bedroom feel cosier this winter – without having to touch the thermostat.
One of these tips is totally free to do and extremely easy, so much so that anyone can do it. It’s as simple as rearranging the furniture in your room.
As a general rule, it’s best to place your bed against interior walls, since these walls are less affected by outdoor temperature changes and help maintain consistent warmth throughout the night.
You should also keep your bed away from windows, even the most insulated ones can let warmth escape and allow chilly drafts to creep in. Avoid positioning furniture in front of radiators in your bedroom, as this can block heat and reduce their efficiency.
For rooms with hard flooring, adding a rug is another simple way to boost insulation and prevent heat loss.
Another completely free way to stay warm is to be mindful of when you close your curtains, the Express reports.
Now that the clocks have gone back and evenings draw in earlier, it’s important to shut your curtains as soon as the sun sets to help keep in the heat. Curtains with thermal lining are especially effective at keeping out cold drafts and keeping the heat inside a room.
For maximum warmth, it is important to invest in thick, heavyweight curtain fabrics like as wool, velvet or fleece. If you’re on a budget, a clever hack is to hang a shower curtain behind your regular curtains to create an extra layer of protection against the cold.
Finally, don’t overlook the importance of sealing any draughts around windows and doors, as this can have a much bigger effect than you might think.
To find any draughts in your house, feel for air movement around doors, windows, floorboards, beams, skirting boards and air conditioning units. You can also use the simple hack of holding a lit match near the areas to see if it flickers.
Additionally, keeping all your doors in unused rooms shut to focus warmth where its needed most, as well as a draught excluder to block cold air under doors.
