There is no doubt that we have been experiencing more extreme weather over the past few years. For example, in January 2021, parts of Southern Spain that had not seen snow for 70 odd years were dealing with heavy snowfall. So, regardless of where you live, it is wise to make sure that you can keep your home warm and cosy when it gets cold. Here are a few ways you can do that while enhancing your property at the same time. Many of the projects described below have the added advantage of enabling you to add a touch of extra luxury at the same time.
Upgrade your boiler
If you have a heating system that does not keep your home particularly warm, consider switching to a combi boiler. They are extremely efficient and provided you do your research will be cheaper to run than the one that you already own.
There is no water tank either, which means that it will take up less space. Providing you with the opportunity to put that space to use in another way. You could for example install a small wine cellar fridge.
Clean Your Gutter
Over time deposits can build up in your gutter and this area of your home requires regular maintenance but the good news is you can outsource this to a professional quickly and easily. Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning Richmond is the go-to destination for all things gutter cleaning.
Install underfloor heating
I have this in my ensuite and there is nothing more luxurious than padding across a warm floor. It is far nicer than having to rummage around to find your slippers so you can get to the bathroom at night without ending up with freezing feet. Underfloor heating is an extremely efficient way to heat a space. So, most people find that their heating bills fall after having it installed. Also, over the past few years, the cost of having it installed has dropped.
According to reports, a staggering 40% of your heat is lost through the windows and floors. That provides you with another good reason to treat yourself to underfloor heating. Your existing flooring has to be taken up to lay the pipes, so it makes sense to take the opportunity to replace it with something new. Perhaps a luxury wooden floor. Provided it is installed properly, a tighter seal will be formed, which will mean that less heat will leave your home through the floor.
Upgrade your window dressings
For the same reason, it is worth investing in some nice luxury curtains. They are typically made out of far heavier material than the cheap ones are. This provides a surprisingly effective barrier, which will greatly reduce how much heat leaks away via the glass. This article explains why that is.
If curtains do not appeal, consider having high-quality roller shutters fitted. They provide a solid barrier that keeps more of the heat in. You can also use them in the summer to keep the heat out of your home. That will reduce your air-conditioning bill.
Convert Your Loft
According to Live in Lofts, a loft conversion can not only make your house cosier but it can also add value to your home. You can use this extra space to create a cosy loft, a guest bedroom or even a home cinema!
The difficulty of the loft conversion depends on what’s up there. You might need to replace insulation, you may need to strengthen the floor, and you may even have some unwanted guests like a wasp nest! But those are nothing that a good building company or pest control indiana professional cannot handle.
The complexity of the conversion also depends on what you want up there. Adding an on-suite bathroom for your guest room can be costly but worth it if you would like to keep your bathroom to yourself. Adding skylights can really brighten up a converted loft but make sure you get blinders for privacy when you need it.
As you can see, it is not difficult to enhance your home in ways that will save you money as well as provide you with more opulent surroundings.
How are you falling back in love with your home in lockdown?
*This post was a collaborative post but my love of a cosy home is 100% my own.
