With another cold season approaching, many of us are already preparing ways to keep our homes warm and comfortable without relying solely on heating this autumn and winter.
Last winter, research revealed that 1.7 million UK households didn’t switch on their heating at all due to concerns about rising energy bills. At the same time, nearly 10 million households are living in cold, damp, and poorly insulated homes–which is unideal for the UK’s winter conditions.
This means that ahead of the seasons changing, creating warmth through clever interior styling, flooring choices, and practical hacks is more important than ever for health and well-being as well as comfort.
James Higgins, flooring expert at Online Carpets, has revealed 6 simple ways you can help you boost warmth and cosiness in your home this season.
1. Keep furniture away from radiators
“It can be tempting to place your sofa or bed right up against the radiator in winter to capture the warmth, but this will actually make your home feel colder.
When large pieces of furniture block radiators, any heat isn’t able to circulate properly around the room. Instead, the warmth gets trapped behind the furniture, leaving the rest of your room still feeling cold.
If you’ve turned your heating on, try leaving a clear space in front of radiators. This allows the heat to move freely, which makes the whole room feel warmer and more comfortable.”
2. Choose carpet fibres like wool that lock in warmth
“When it comes to your flooring, the material matters. Carpets made from natural fibres like wool are fantastic at retaining heat. Wool fibres trap air, providing insulation underfoot that helps to keep warmth inside the home, perfect if you’re in need of some further insulation.
Synthetic options such as polypropylene can also be a great choice as they’re durable, budget-friendly, and still offer good insulation compared to hard flooring surfaces like laminate or tiles. A well-chosen carpet or rug not only feels soft but can cut down on heat loss in certain areas of your home.
If you are thinking of replacing any flooring, you can also look at getting underlays placed for your carpets. Carpet underlay will not only provide you with extra heat and noise insulation but can also extend the lifespan of your carpet and provide extra comfort underfoot, making it a great choice for anyone wanting to lock in more heat during the colder months.”
3. Layer rugs and fabrics for instant cosiness on hard floors
“Adding a large rug on top of wooden, vinyl, or laminate flooring is one of the quickest ways to warm up a room. Rugs stop draughts from coming through floorboards, create an extra layer of insulation, and make spaces feel instantly cosier.
Opt for thick, dense rugs in living areas or runners in hallways for maximum impact. Not only will they keep feet warm, but they’ll also protect your flooring from everyday wear and tear.”
4. Add soft furnishings like wool throws for cosiness
“Textiles can play a huge role in how warm your space feels. Layer up your wool throws, chunky knits, and velvet cushions to create that inviting “snuggle-up” vibe. These soft furnishings not only keep you physically warm but also make your home feel visually warmer and more cosy.
As an extra styling touch, you can bring in warm-toned accessories like cushions or blankets in shades of terracotta, deep green, or caramel for a cosy, autumn-winter look. Even small touches, like a wooden side table or a jute rug, can bring that organic cosiness to a room, but this is just a bonus, not a necessity.”
5. Insulate your windows with heavy, lined curtains
“As mentioned, windows are one of the biggest culprits for heat loss in your home. Keeping your curtains open in the day to let sunlight in, and then closing them as soon as it gets dark can help trap warmth inside your home rather than letting it escape through the glass. Heavy or lined curtains work especially well, as thicker fabrics like velvet or wool act as an extra layer of insulation.
Heavy curtains will hold heat better because the dense fabric creates a barrier between the warm air indoors and the cold air outside. This reduces heat transfer through the glass, keeping warm air circulating inside your home instead of being lost. By blocking draughts and slowing down how quickly heat escapes, curtains can make a noticeable difference to both the comfort of your living spaces and your energy bills.”
6. Block draughts with door excluders
“Even a small draught can make your room feel much colder. Gaps under your doors or around frames let chilly air in and warm air escape, which can make heating less effective.
Invest in simple draught excluders or self-adhesive draught strips to block gaps under internal and external doors. They’re inexpensive, easy to fit, and make a noticeable difference to how warm your home feels without turning on the heating.”
