Temperatures may not often drop below zero in South Africa, but it can still get very cold and most homes are built for enjoying long summer days, not for keeping the winter chill at bay.
The autumn chill has already arrived, and while we may still have warm days ahead, there's definitely a chill in the air that sends us indoors in search of a warm room to sit and relax. Older homes and those built before 2000 are prone to being cold in winter and hot in summer, and despite best efforts to insulate rooms, you may need to implement other measures to make a room cosy and warm, while adding a bit of colour and interest at the same time.
READ: Find the right fireplace for your home this winter
“And in winter we do tend to stay in more often, spending time at home with family and friends or snuggling up with a good book or movie, so it makes sense to winterise our homes so that we can enjoy them as much during the colder months as we do in summer, says Yael Geffen, CEO of Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty.
“Additionally, with the cost of electricity now being what it is, I think we’d all prefer to stay warm and comfortable in winter without having to face a huge monthly bill,” says Geffen.
SEE: Most cost effective ways to heat your home this winter
So what can you do to warm up a room? Geffen suggests the following to turn your home into an ultra-cosy retreat; a haven where your family can enjoy warmth, fun and relaxation during the colder months:
1. Layer on the blankets, throws and cushions
Nothing says cosy like warm fleecy throws or woolly blankets and extra pillows ensure additional comfort when snuggling in front of a movie on a cold winter’s day. If you are buying new ones, opt for vibrant colours like burnt orange and forest green to add style to your comfort. If you don’t want them to adorn your couch, you can buy a pretty basket in which to leave them folded up when not being used.
2. Include area rugs
Rugs will add warmth and style to your living spaces, especially next to your bed where you have to put your warm feet onto a cold floor. Choose textured materials with thicker weaves and vibrant colours for extra warmth and charm.
3. Change out your curtains
Curtains are more than merely decorative drapes which get closed at night – they also contribute to the retention of heat in the home. So, when the nights start to get chilly, replace your lighter summer curtains with heavier drapes to ensure warm, cosy evenings.
4. Soften the lighting
Add a few candles and buy a table or standing lamp for softer evening lighting. And if you have non-flashing fairy lights with plain bulbs, string those up to add to the ambience - they’re definitely not just for Christmas.
5. Go gas
Gas heaters are a great investment as they really heat up smaller areas quite quickly and they can also be moved from room to room. And, with loadshedding a regular feature of our lives, they offer both heat and light.
6. Invest in winter bedding
Cotton flannel, velvet flannel or heavyweight Egyptian cotton sheets are wonderfully warm alternatives to crisp lightweight cotton sheets and will make your bed a whole lot cosier and more comfortable. And if you feel the cold, add an electric blanket for that extra toasty feeling.
7. Bulk up your towels
Stepping out of the shower on a cold day is never easy but it’s so much nicer when you can wrap yourself in a large fluffy towel to warm up and dry off. A new, plush set of towels will not only keep you warm but also make the prospect of getting up while it's still dark out a whole lot more palatable.
8. Heated towel rails
If your bathroom is due an upgrade, now is the time to do so and add heated towel rails for that deeply luxurious feeling of being wrapped in soft warm towelling after you emerge from the bath.
9. Outdoor heating
If you like spending time outdoors regardless of the weather, consider adding a fire pit to the patio or buying a standing gas heater and enjoy the ubiquitous Sunday afternoon braai or an evening around the patio table with hot chocolate and board games.
10. Invest in a portable fireplace
Nothing says ‘cosy’ quite like a fireplace and even if you don't have a built-in fireplace, adding a portable one to any room in the house will instantly up the cosiness factor.
11. Create a reading nook
Everyone will love a cosy nook in which to unwind, regardless of whether they’re reading a book, catching up on the news on their tablet or even just scrolling through their social media pages. It could be as simple as placing a comfy chair and blanket in a corner of your bedroom or next to the new standing lamp in the lounge.
12. Cosy entertaining
Revive the 70’s classic and fire up your fondue sets to enjoy cosy, interactive dining. Add Glühwein to the mix for extra fire in your belly.
To ensure that prospective buyers get a favourable impression of the property that is up for sale, it is essential to start preparing the house weeks before and get it ‘view-ready’, says Rowan Alexander, Director Alexander Swart Property,
He says buyers tend to be ‘really serious’ in winter, and not just checking out the market and the neighbourhood. They are also quite frequently in a hurry to find a new home.
READ: Is winter really a bad time to try and sell your home?
To ensure that prospective buyers get a favourable impression of the property that is up for sale even during winter, it is essential to start preparing the house weeks before and get it ‘view-ready’, says Rowan Alexander, Director Alexander Swart Property.
He says all those steps which the seller should have done regularly as part of a preventative maintenance, but may have overlooked, should now be seen to:
- Gutters and drainpipes should be cleaned out and, if necessary, painted.
- The roof should be checked for leaks, and all known leaks dealt with.
- Shabby or old-looking walls and woodwork should be treated.
- Carpets, furniture coverings and curtains should be cleaned, if possible by professionals.
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