With cooler temperatures and fewer daylight hours your rental home might start feeling less like a cozy haven and more like a chilly challenge. But here’s the good news: you can easily implement a few changes that will transform your rental and make it feel cozy and winter-proof.
Whether you’re dealing with drafty windows or craving that hygge feeling, this article will guide you in transforming your rental into a warm winter retreat, all while keeping your security deposit intact and your relationship with your landlord uncompromised.
Quick Weatherproofing Solutions: Your First Line of Defense
You might be surprised to learn that up to 30% of your home’s heating energy escapes through windows and doors. You can help mitigate that by focusing on points of entry and making sure you control the air and heat flow through those.
Start with your windows. Those clear plastic window insulation kits you’ve seen at the hardware store? They’re remarkably effective and completely removable come spring. For about $25, you can insulate several windows, and the process is surprisingly simple: just apply double-sided tape around the frame, attach the plastic, and use a hairdryer to shrink it tight. The result is nearly invisible and can reduce heat loss by up to 50%.
For doors, self-adhesive weather stripping is your secret weapon. Focus on the sides and top of the door frame, and don’t forget to install a door sweep at the bottom. These simple additions can eliminate those sneaky drafts that make your heating system work overtime.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of a good old blanket. If you still feel drafts coming through your windows, place a rolled-up blanket on your windowsill. Just make sure it does not cover up your radiator.
Creating Comfort Through Textiles
Speaking of blankets, make sure you use them yourself. The quickest way to make any room cozy is through strategic layering of textiles, including rugs, blankets, pillows, etc.
Start from the ground up. Layer area rugs over bare floors or existing carpets.
This will also help with insulating the floors in your rental apartment. Invest in chunky throw blankets for your sofa and a winter-weight duvet for your bedroom. These items will keep you warm and cozy.
Pro tip: Choose items in coordinating colors rather than matching sets, since that creates a more collected, sophisticated look that works in any season.
Lighting Your Way Through Winter
The winter blues are real, but strategic lighting can make a significant difference in your mood and energy levels. Position your furniture to maximize natural light during the day through simple switches such as moving the couch or even moving your work desk closer to a window.
For artificial lighting, create layers and focus on ambient lighting more so than overhead lights. Use task lighting for specific activities and accent lighting to create atmosphere (think fairy lights or those cute galaxy projectors for cozy evenings).
Consider investing in a light therapy lamp for your work area. They’re portable and can make a remarkable difference in your energy levels during short winter days.
Temperature Management: Smart Solutions for Renters
While you might not be able to install a new heating system, you’d be surprised how much control you have over your rental’s temperature. Today’s smart temperature solutions don’t require permanent installation, making them perfect for renters.
Consider investing in a smart thermostat that sits on your shelf or table. These portable devices work with your existing heating system through your smartphone. Not only can you have more control over the temperature, but it’s also more cost-effective, helping you save on those utility bills.
For an optimized temperature, set your thermostat to 68°F (20°C) during waking hours and lower it by 7-10 degrees when you’re sleeping or away.
Pro tip: Create micro-climate zones in your home by closing doors to unused rooms and adjusting individual vents. This way, you’re only heating the spaces you’re actively using.
Mastering the Mess of Winter Items
Winter brings with it an invasion of boots, coats, and wet gear. Without a proper organization system, your entryway can quickly become a chaotic mess of soggy items and tracking snow.
Create a winter-ready entryway by installing a freestanding coat rack or over-the-door hooks and using a heavy-duty boot tray with raised edges for wet shoes.
Set up a portable drying rack for wet mittens and scarves and add a washable runner rug to protect flooring. If you don’t have enough space in your entryway, go vertical. Use wall-mounted drying racks that fold away when not in use and over-door organizers for hats and gloves.
Seasonal Decor on a Budget
Winter decorating is not restricted to holiday-specific decor. Especially now that the holiday season is over, January and February deserve some lovely decor as well. Create a sophisticated seasonal look that can carry you through to spring, by using natural elements that match a winter vibe. Think pine cones in glass containers and bare branches in tall vases.
Create a seasonal potpourri every now and then by boiling citrus peel together with anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, apple slices, and rosemary twigs, and letting it fill your home with a cozy scent. This is especially nice after a cleanup.
Conclusion
With January and February not being very well-loved months, creating a cozy space in your own home can really make a difference. Remember, these winter updates are about creating a space that supports and nurtures you through the coldest months. By implementing even a few of these suggestions, you’ll notice a difference in both your comfort level and your overall mood.
A word of caution. Before starting any projects, always review your lease agreement and communicate with your landlord when necessary. Many of these updates are temporary and reversible, making them perfect for rental spaces, but it’s always better to check first than to risk your security deposit or to compromise your reputation as a renter.
Stay warm, stay cozy, and enjoy making your rental feel more like home this winter.