Design tips to keep your house warmer this winter

As we head out of summer and the colder months are approaching, it’s inventible that people’s energy bills are going to rise, especially when we have to flick the heating on more often. More than ever people are trying to find ways to be more energy efficient, doing whatever it takes. There are a lot of small ways you can become more energy efficient around the house, here are some of the most useful design tips to keep your house warmer this winter.

Thicker duvets and cosy bed layers

It’s recommended to change your duvet in the colder months, as this can help to keep you warm during cold winter nights. The recommended tog for these cold months would be around 13.5 or even higher, to ensure a warm night’s sleep. Not only does changing your duvet make a difference but layering up your bed with different throws and blankets will do too. Not only does this keep you warm but it gives you a chance to add some different textures and colours to your room, and you can save some money on your energy bills, by trapping the heat with some bedding layers.

Invest in blinds and curtains

Having curtains and blinds in your house can help trap in a lot of heat, especially if you only have single-glazed windows. There are now things such as thermal lined curtains, if these are something you might not be able to afford, then just go for the thickest option available. Keeping your blinds and curtains closed can reduce heat loss by 25%. Even wooden shutters are a great way to retain heat, as the wood acts as a thick barrier.

No drafty windows

Windows are an easy way for heat to escape from your home. Usually, if you have a draft within your home it’s most likely coming from your windows, as 40% of your energy escapes through your windows. To help solve this problem you can either invest in more energy-efficient windows, or you can get doing some DIY and draught proof them yourself. All you need to do to draft proof your windows is to apply some self-adhesive tape to any window frames, that you might think air is escaping through.

Insulate your walls and your loft

If your walls and your loft aren’t insulated, then this can mean you’re losing up to a quarter of your heat in your home. A lot of heat can be lost through a loft that isn’t insulated, loft insulation is an investment as it should last and be effective for at least 40 years. Using a Victory Colours Wallrock Thermal Liner is perfect for all walls around the house, it’s like adding a duvet to your walls. Not only are thermal liners great to reduce heat loss, but they are also a great way to cover up any bad plastering or poor wall surfaces around the house.

Rearrange your furniture and add in rugs

If you have wooden flooring that might have some boards that need sealing, then adding a rug is a quick fix solution, to help your home feel cosier and warmer. Another quick fix to keeping your home warmer is to rearrange your rooms so that radiators are not being blocked by any furniture. You need to make sure that you can feel the heat radiating, but not block any heating appliances so that it can circulate around the room.