Winter can bring such small joys with it; enjoying warm drinks by a fire, decorating your space for the holiday season, and waking up to fresh snow-fall outside. But the arrival of winter also means that it’s time to prepare your home for the cold. 


Here are 5 quick tips to ensure you spend the season with minimal stress (and maximum warmth). 


1) Check for drafts

Checking your doors and windows for drafts will be one of your greatest defences against frigid weather. Using window insulator kits, draft guards, caulking, foam tape, or even a door-sweep can help combat the frigid air from making its way into your apartment. If you’re not sure on how to check for drafts, ensure all your windows and doors are closed, as well as any heating, and assess whether or not you still feel some cold air. If you do, odds are there might be a draft worth checking out.

2) Make the transition to winter-bedding

Now is the time to bring out festive pillows, lots of blankets for layering, and perhaps even switch to a suitable winter duvet. If you’re wondering which kind you should be using, experts say duvet’s composed of at least 13.5 - 15 togs will be best for proper insulation, and fillings like down will ensure your body temperature is regulated consistently. This can also be a fantastic design and re-decoration opportunity, so use it as a chance to spruce up your space and make it feel as cozy and festive as possible.

3) Invest in a humidifier

We often forget how dry the air can get, both inside and out, in the winter months. A humidifier can help add some much needed moisture and humidity back into the air, which has been proven to help with sinus problems, and even asthma and allergies. So make sure you invest in the right kind for your home, and also maintain it so that you are getting the most out of your humidifier (and air quality) when the air is at its driest.

4) Stop heat from escaping

We’ve all encountered a moment where we find ourselves barefoot on some hardwood, laminate, or tile - and it’s really cold! In fact, floors may lead to almost 10% of heat loss in your home during the colder months, so bring out your rugs to prevent the heat from escaping through your flooring. Windows (again) can be another sneaky culprit beyond drafts. To help combat this, let the sun in while it’s still high in the sky during the day, and ensure you’re using thick curtains throughout the rest of the day to keep the heat inside. 

5) Consider creating an emergency plan

Though hopefully a rare occurrence, you never know when a serious snow-fall or blizzard can trigger an emergency situation. Ensuring you have enough non-perishable food-items stocked-up, water, or flashlights (should an apartment-wide blackout occur) can help you get through even the most unpredictable of situations if the weather outside makes commuting a risky choice.