‘Quickest and easiest’ furnishing tips to warm up your home

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Insulation, saving energy and most importantly, keeping costs low, are top priorities for millions of households this winter, but it is often easier said than done. However, according to Sonnaz Nooranvary, it can be as simple as focusing on the soft furnishings around your home. She shared her best tips to keep your property warm without making drastic changes.

 

Cover external doors

Sealing gaps and cracks around external doors is a no-brainer to block cold draughts, yet few people think to cover their front door with curtains or blinds.

Sonnaz said: “Adding draught excluder tape to the inside of the door frame and putting up an over-door curtain can make a huge difference.

“Using a simple pole and clip system could be the quickest and easiest way to install this for a medium-weight fabric.”

This easy trick is especially useful for french, and bi-fold doors where there is more opportunity for draughts to occur.

Don’t ignore internal draughts

It’s not just the cold air from outside that can create draughts in your home, in fact, internal doors can also be to blame. If certain rooms in your home are poorly insulated or feel noticeably colder, keep the doors closed and plug any gaps around the frame.

Sonnaz explained: “Draught excluders to go at the base of internal doors are quick and easy to make with remnant fabrics or by upcycling old clothing or throws. Be sure to make them slightly bigger than the doorway so that they fit snugly.”

Spare duvets, pillowcases and old trousers can all be turned into stuffed draught excluders, as long as you have the right materials to stuff them with.

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Fit blinds beyond the recess

Almost any form of window dressing is better than nothing when it comes to minimising heat loss, but according to Sonnaz, “oversized” blinds are not to be missed.

She said: “Fit Roman blinds to the face of the wall overhanging and covering the window opening instead of fitting into the recess – any cold air coming in from the window could be stopped from the overhang of the blind.”

The Repair Shop upholstery expert recommended using a thermal lining on blinds for extra protection where possible.

Sonnaz added that interlining is also a worthwhile investment for existing drapes. This insulating layer is fit between the lining, and the front of the fabric.

Stick to fitted curtains

While Roman blinds are more effective when they hang over the recess, curtains “must be fitted correctly”.

According to Sonnaz, this means adjusting them to the correct length to suit the window. She added that “avoiding covering radiators is key” to preventing heat from escaping through the space between the drapes and glass.

If you can’t change existing curtains in your property that are poorly fitted or too long, consider tucking them behind the radiator when your heating is in use.

The Repair Shop expert added that you should also avoid placing furniture like chairs and sofas in front of radiators for the same reason. She said: “it might be a great opportunity to have a rejig of the layout of your room too if you can.”

Cover your floors

It’s not just windows and doors that can make your home less energy efficient. Floors – particularly hard materials, are one of the worst culprits when it comes to household heat loss.

Sonnaz suggested adding rugs or even just the remnants of old carpets to create a rug in order to make your home “cosier underfoot”.

Add more soft furnishings

The upholstery expert added: “Cosy up with cushions and covers made from natural fabrics – adding cushions to sofas and chairs can provide some additional warmth.

“Opt for a natural fabric like wool – not only do they look attractive, they are warmer to the touch and so warm quickly.”

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