Brace Your Abode for the Bite of Winter
Also known as cruel and unusual punishment. Blah.
I’m so glad I’m not alone on that one.
Even though I have (barely) survived nearly 30 very brutal Minnesota winters throughout my life, I still haven’t been able to decide what’s the worst thing about winter, other than it is just absolutely horrific. I can’t stand the snow, the ice, the cold… or the heat slowly escaping my humble little apartment. When it comes to dwelling in a rental home, you don’t always have the luxury of making permanent adjustments to help keep the heat in and the cold out, am I right?
10 Ways to Stay Warm
… Like a Boss
Thermal curtains. Curtains aren’t just a decorative touch; they are awesome for keeping the heat in during the winter. Open the curtains during the day to allow the sunlight to come in and close them at dusk for optimal heat insulation. They’re also awesome because they can serve as a sound-proofing technique by keeping out the noise from outside or keeping your sound in.
Plastic window film. Yeah, they look tacky, but it’s also nice to not have a draft sail through when it’s -18° and you’re trying to get out of your warm bed. This is especially handy if you live in a historical building that has original windows. They are fairly easy to put on, and when it comes time to remove them, you don’t have to worry about any damage to the frames or sills. Bubble wrap can also work really well for insulation, too.
Get a door sweep. If you have a large gap at the bottom of your door, you’ll want to consider asking your landlord to install a door sweep to help keep the cold out. It’s cheap and takes just a minute to install.
Keep doors closed to rooms that are not being used. Why heat areas you’re not in? Keep the parts you use actively warmer.
Leave your oven door open after cooking or baking. Don’t waste the warmth of your toasty oven!
Light candles. While they may not emit a generous amount of heat, they do make for a tranquil setting.
Wear slippers/moccasins/soccasins/mukluks. Because staying warm can be stylish at home, too.
Place rugs on the floors. Hardwood floors are wonderful, but jumping out of a warm bed onto cold floors is terrible.
Before going to bed, heat a water bottle and place it at the foot of your bed. Or baked potato. Now your feet can be nice and toasty.
Make a hot cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa. It just warms your soul!