The UK is having a cost-of-living crisis and many European countries are heading the same way. With the soaring costs of heating and lighting forcing most of us to economise, what can you do to keep your home warm and bright this winter without blowing your savings? Here are our top tips:
Thermal Curtains
Around 18% of heat within your house is lost through your windows. Choosing your curtains wisely can save you money and keep you warm this winter. Thermal curtains and blinds have been around for a while and not only help insulate from the cold but also keep rooms cooler during the summer so whatever you invest now will pay dividends in warmer months too.
Depending on how many windows you have and the size of them replacing all of your curtains or blinds for thermal ones can be a costly exercise. If you already love the window treatments you have you can add a thermal lining yourself or instal a secondary curtain rod or rail.
If you have basic sewing skills, it’s not as difficult as it sounds to line curtains or blinds or even make your own from scratch. There are a few free tutorials on You Tube or why not enrol on a curtain and blind making course? The NDA offers both online and in-studio curtain and blind making courses and many students go on to offer professional curtain making services or open Etsy shops.
Light Reflective Paint
Light reflective paint does exactly what it says on the tin. Special reflective particles are used to increase the light levels in a room. So, if you lack natural light even in summer months, light reflective paint can be used to reflect up to twice as much light back into your room. In winter months it will maximise the light you have and brighten even the dullest corners.
Available in 17 colours, Dulux’s Light + Space is probably the largest range of light reflective pain we have found. At the time of writing, none of the sustainable paint companies offered light reflective paint, probably due to manmade particles being used as part of the process. But light reflective paint isn’t the only way to brighten your interior. Farrow & Ball has a great guide to help you choose colours to increase the light in your specific space.
Soft Furnishings
When energy prices first started rising the sale of blankets went through the roof and the Oodie became the most wanted fashion accessory no one wanted to admit to wearing. Now no one cares and we’re all swaddled in our wearable blankets and fleece throws to save on heating bills. But it’s not just blankets which will help you to keep the cold at bay. There are a few different soft furnishings which can help you to insulate your home.
Draft Excluders:
If you have solid floors, chances are there’s a gap under each and every door in your home. Warm air gets sucked out into colder unheated spaces surprisingly quickly. Draft proofing around doors and windows can help you to save money and make the most of your heating when you do have it on.
Just Fabrics have a great tutorial on You Tube to help you make your own draft excluder.
Rugs:
Whether you have solid floors or carpet, up to 20% of your home’s heat can be lost through the floor. Floor insulation or underfloor heating can be costly to install so if you’re looking for a quick fix to keep your home warm invest in a decent rug.
Choosing the right rug can be a minefield. A rug is either a statement piece or should work harmoniously with your interior scheme. This great blog from Living etc has tips for choosing a rug from some top interior designers.
