We’re all set for a winter defined by spiralling energy bills. Radiators are being turned down across the country as you read this.
So now is the perfect time to pre-empt the worse consequences of a harsh and expensive winter and invest in domestic products designed to get homes warm and keep them that way.
From adding layers to your furniture, to cute and fluffy draught blockers that will remind you of grandma’s house, we’ve got you covered.
Read ahead for our full selection of picks, and for more advice, check out our expert guide on heating your home this winter here.
Window dressing
If you’re lucky enough to live in a house with shutters, refurbishing them will pay for itself in lower energy costs. Heavy, oversized curtains will also prevent heat escaping through the glass – the thicker the material the better and preferably they should be lined.
For something temporary to see you through the winter that’s cheap and cheerful (as well as sustainable), check out eBay for quality pre-loved curtains. Insulated blinds are also a good option if you prefer a more steamlined look. You can also buy second hand curtain poles on eBay.
Julius Velvet Eyelet Lined Pair of Curtains in Burnt Orange
These bright, velvet, lined curtains are a red-hot buy for the colder months.
Buy them for £90 from Made.
Valentina Blockout Pencil Pleat Curtains
We’re still crushingon blush, especially when these pale pink curtains have a blackout lining to keep your bedroom warm and private.
Buy them from £13 from Studio.
Yellow Herringbone Chevron Blackout Thermal Curtains Pair Eyelet Style
Choose ready-made curtains with a thermal lining to keep draughts out and the heat in.
Buy them for £19.99 from Homescapes.
Abigail Ahern Parker Caper Roman blind with Colette Kohl fringing
If you’re not a fan of curtains, a neat Roman blind made from a heavy-duty fabric will do the trick.
Buy them from £180 from Hillarys.
Layer up
A couple of handy blankets/eiderdowns draped over the bottom of the bed work well for instant temperature control. Colour coordinated, they will also look super stylish – and who has the space to store extra duvets?
If you do want to add an extra duvet, buy a 3.5 tog summer duvet to add to your existing one – then you have a lightweight duvet for warmer weather. Keep a basket of throws in the living room next to the sofa to snuggle under when it’s chilly. Deep pile rugs are great for warming a wooden or tiled floor.
Norwegian Spruce Faux Fur Throw
Snuggle down under this deep olive, faux fur and suede blanket.
Buy it for £92 from The French Bedroom Company.
Rattan Rectangular Basket
Keep a stash of throws and blankets to hand in this rattan basket.
Buy it for £95 from Cox & Cox.
Cozee Home Heated Plush Washable Throw with 9 Heat Settings
Add an extra layer of heat without switching on the radiators with this heated plush throw, said to cost 25p per day for six hours usage.
Buy it for £60 from QVC.
Premium Cosy Shaggy Rug in Rust Brown
Warm up bare floorboards with this long-pile, shaggy rug in warm, on trend rust.
Buy it from £45 from Next.
Round Dark Grey Faux Fur Sheepskin Rug – Isla
Create pools of extra warmth around the home with round faux fur sheepskins.
Buy it for £24.95 from Kukoon Rugs.
Cozee Home Velvetsoft Supreme Throw
Get your glow on with this plush, lightweight throw in a warm ochre hue.
Buy it for £29.97 from QVC.
Sofa Surfing
Pull the sofa and other large pieces of furniture (like beds, chest of drawers, desks etc) away from radiators to enable to heat to be more easily circulated around the room.
Printed Fleece Elements Throw Olive
For less than a tenner, this soft fleece, machine washable throw is our hero winter warmer.
Buy it for £7 from Dunelm.
Coral and Aqua merino wool throw
Add a pop of colour and pattern to your sofa and keep warm with this merino wool throw.
Buy it for £89 from Country Mouse.
Taupe Sheepskin Rug
Drape this cosy, sheepskin rug over a chair or your lap for instant snuggle factor.
Buy it for £45 from Idyll Home.
Berber Storage Log Basket
This hardworking, handwoven basket is perfect for storing logs or extra blankets.
Buy it for £34 from Basket Basket.
Walton & Co Check Sherpa Green Flannel Throw
Wrap up for winter in this super soft, sherpa flannel throw for the ultimate snuggle fest.
Buy it for £40 from Cotswold Trading.
Draught excluders
Like your grandma used to make! Sausage dogs and snakes are fun and easy to make using funky fabric and stuff with old tights, underwear or anything that can’t be sold at the charity shop. Not crafty – check out Etsy for some fun and stylish draught excluders. Or roll up a towel!
Hang lined curtains behind all external doors to keep the warm air in when the door is opened for visitors. If you have the space, think about introducing a draught lobby between the main house and front door using glazed screens which can look modern and stylish but won’t make the space look dark or enclosed.
Dachshund Draught Excluder
Cosy up your room with this sweet, doggy draught excluder filled with recycled plastic pellets.
Buy it for £44 from Sophie Allport.
Cheetah Draught Excluder
We think this fluffy,faux, animal print draught excluder is really grrrrrrreat.
Buy it for £20 from Dunelm.
Curly Sheepskin Draught Excluder
Keep draughts at bay with this curly sheepskin excluder – the luxe way to beat the heat.
Buy it for £75 from The White Company.
Darcia Velvet Emerald Curtain
Banish draughty hallways by hanging up a thick velvet curtain at the front door.
Buy it from £169, from Hillarys.
Eau zone
Close doors to bathrooms as you want the moist air to exit through an air vent or window, not through the rest of the house. Identify when you bath/shower and set the water heater to coordinate – you may be able to reduce the number of times your water heater goes on each day.
Set a four-minute rule for showers to keep amount of water that needs heating down. Invest in low-flow showerheads and taps which will ensure good water pressure while cutting hit water usage dramatically.
Mattress Matters
As the old saying goes, a layer below is worth two up above. There’s a lot to be said for buying a heat regulating mattress to keep you warm throughout the night – but who can afford a new mattress when you’re worried about feeding the family?
A more cost–effective way is to buy a memory foam mattress topper if you can afford it. If not, a blanket under the sheet or brushed cotton sheets will add an extra layer of warmth.
Teddy Bear Cream Mattress Enhancer
This teddy bear mattress topper is the reason why you won’t want to leave your bed all winter. A big softy.
Buy it from £18 from Dunelm.
Plain Brushed Cotton Double Duvet Cover in Merlot
It’s cosy season, so make brushed cotton bedding the top of your bedroom wishlist.
Buy it for £40 for a double from John Lewis.
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