How to keep your home warm this winter

With energy prices rising, the cost of living increasing, and winter on the horizon, now’s the time to think of ways to keep your home warm. We’ve rounded up ideas to help keep you cosy and reduce costs during the cooler months of the year.

Upgrade your bedding

White bedding with pink and green cushions in a pale grey bedroom.

Hove king-size bed | @ourhomemadeofthree

Warm, breathable and oh so cosy, swap your cotton sheets for flannel bedding to keep you perfectly toasty throughout the winter. Or opt for layers to up the warmth factor, with quilts and bedspreads ideal for adding extra heat as and when needed.

Add a wood-burning stove

Pale green Evie swivel chair in a cosy setting next to a wood-burning stove.

Evie swivel chair | @mo_morshuis

While there’s the initial outlay costs, once installed wood-burning stoves offer a cheaper alternative to electric and gas central heating. Make sure to find out if your home is in a smoke-free zone as you’ll have to buy a DEFRA-approved stove and check with your stove manufacturer to see which type of wood and smokeless fuel is compatible with it.

Keep warm with an electric blanket

Shay matching bed and bedside table with floral bedding and green panelled walls.

Shay king-size bed | Shay side table | @aheidistylehome

There’s nothing nicer than sinking into a beautifully warm bed, so it’s no surprise that sales of electric blankets have skyrocketed as we brace ourselves for colder weather. There’s an array of choices when it comes to heated blankets, with the option to go for an under blanket that’s similar to a mattress topper, or a versatile over blanket that can be used on top of beds, while lounging on the sofa, or keeping you warm when working from home.

Invest in curtains

Copenhagen natural oak TV unit placed next to a chair and house plant.

Copenhagen TV unit | @honey_on_the_row

Not only do they make your home cosy on dark winter nights, curtains are also good at keeping the heat in and draughts out. Choose fabrics such as wool which is a great insulator and looks stylish. Many brands also offer the option of adding thermal linings to other more lightweight fabrics to ensure your windows are dressed for the season. And, don’t forget that curtains can also work brilliantly as draft excluders over front and back doors.

Bleed your radiators

Parquet oak sideboard styled with plants and a dog lying on a shaggy rug.

Parquet large sideboard | @at_the_mcgillens

According to British Gas, regularly bleeding your radiators ensures they work efficiently, which results in a warmer home and cheaper energy bills. This handy blog post from British Gas helps you find out if your radiator needs bleeding and tells you how to do it, should you need any advice.

Lay a rug

Cat sitting on a jute pouffe on top of a printed blue and cream rug in a living room.

Jacquard rug | @casadelarebecca

Add warmth and texture to any room by laying a rug. Whether you go for a tufted shaggy style for maximum cosiness or a flat-weave design that feels soft underfoot, rugs are a great option, especially if you have draughty wood floors.

Hopefully those are a few ideas to help beat the chill this winter. We’d love to see how you’re keeping warm and cosy. Share your pics of your Oak Furnitureland pieces in your home by tagging #OakFurnitureland on Instagram.