Winter is a time for hibernation inside our homes. As it’s likely you’ll be spending a lot of time indoors this season, why not make the most of it and make it as cozy as possible. We’ve rounded up 5 simple projects a pro can do for you, so you won’t mind staying inside your cozy home all winter long.
1. Fireplace Installation
Nothing says cozy like a roaring fire. Installing a fireplace is a great way to add warmth, comfort and a beautiful focal point to your home. With so many models now available, having a fireplace installed in your home is easy and more affordable than ever before. An electric fireplace can cost as little as $150 for a plug-in insert, and $800 for a built-in option. While a wood-burning or gas model will cost more, fireplaces actually add value to your home and also help you save on heating. Imagine how nice it would be curling up with a good book or your favourite film while your fireplace provides a warming glow. Connect with a fireplace expert to discuss your options.
2. Inviting Lighting
Coming home to a dark, cold home at the end of a long day is nothing short of unpleasant. Wouldn’t it be nice to come back to a warmly lit home that feels cozy just by looking at it? An electrician can easily take care of this for you by installing dimmer switches and an automatic timer on your lights. This quick and easy task will let you set the right lighting to welcome you home. Did you know dimmer switches are good for more than just creating a cozy ambience? They also save energy and prolong the life of your light bulbs.
Another option to consider is installing automatic lights. Automatic lights can either run on a timer or be motion-activated and can be used inside and outside the home. Automatic lights give your home a lived-in look without the added cost of keeping your lights on for a prolonged period of time. You can set your lights to come on just before you get home or keep them on a schedule so it looks like you’re there even when you’re not.
3. Programmable Thermostat
Coming home to a warmly lit house is lovely but what takes it to the next level is a house that feels just as warm as it looks. If you don’t already have one, consider adding a programmable thermostat in your home. This way you can set the timer to turn your heat on just before you get home. In addition to feeling immediately cozy when you get home, a programmable thermostat can help you save on your energy bills. According to Nest Labs, a programmable thermostat can save homeowners 10% to 20% on heating bills. This $100-$300 investment can make a big impact on how much it costs to keep your home feeling cozy all winter long.
4. Accent Wall
If your home is looking a little too cool, try warming it up with a new colour. Think warm colours that bring up feelings of relaxing by your (new) fireplace. Adding an accent wall to warm up your living room or bedroom is a quick and affordable project that can be completed in a few days. If paint isn’t for you, you can also consider a wallpaper accent wall. Something with a woodland or floral motif will be very on trend for 2020, especially if it has green in it.
5. Warm Up Your Floors
From simply adding an area rug to heated flooring, there’s a lot you can do to warm up your floors for a cozier home. It has been said that up to 10% of heat escapes out from your floors, making area rugs a great addition to any room not just because of the style they bring, but also for their practical use. Treat yourself to that beautiful rug you’ve been eyeing, it will only help to make your home even cozier.
If you’re already thinking about remodelling your bathroom, consider adding heated floors. While the initial cost can discourage some homeowners from taking this step, once installed, heated floors are actually quite inexpensive to run. They will cost you about as much as three 100w light bulbs. That’s a small price to pay for heated floors every day during cold Canadian winters.
The biggest drawback is the fact that you will have to rip out and replace all of your existing flooring to have them installed. If you’re already planning on renovating, be sure to speak to your pro about adding heated floors to your design.
Chilly Canadian winters may make us stay inside, but it’s not so bad when your home is warm and cozy. When you’re ready to add some simple projects that will make your home even more enjoyable this winter, simply click on the banner below to connect with the right pro for your job. Enter in your project details and we’ll send them to verified pros in your area who can help make your home cozier this winter.
