warm home, happy home

Unless you’re living in a cold home, you might not realise the impact it can have on your health, both physically and mentally. Those living in homes heated to under 18°C, especially the elderly, have an increased risk of health issues like heart attacks, strokes, flu and falls, and it’s also dangerous for those with heart or lung diseases. A review of fuel poverty by Public Health England in 2014 referenced two studies that found links between cold homes and poor mental health. In one, an increase in room temperature was associated with a reduced likelihood of experiencing depression and anxiety (Warm Front, Sheffield Hallam University Centre for Regional Social and Economic Research, 2008). In another, young people in cold homes were more at risk of developing multiple symptoms of poor mental health than those in warmer homes (The Dynamics of Bad Housing, NatCen, 2008).

But a drop in temperature doesn’t have to lead to mental health issues for it to have an impact on you. A cold home makes it difficult to focus on pleasurable things like reading a book. It can also increase stiffness and aching joints, making it more difficult to move around – which doesn’t make for a happy home! Colder homes are also more at risk of developing problems associated with cold weather like damp and condensation. It’s no surprise, then, that warmth is such an important part of creating a Scandi home and in achieving hygge.

warm up with colour

On a design level, colour is crucial to creating a warm space. Try some of these ideas for a cosy scheme

WARM WHITE Done right, white can be a clean, minimalist way to warm up a home. Opt for creamy whites with yellow undertones rather than the cooler blue-tone alternatives, and layer with plenty of woods, plants and fabrics.

EARTHY COLOURS If you love reds, yellows and oranges, we have good news: they’re great colours to use to warm up a room. Try opting for the earthier tones, like mustard yellow and terracotta, or bring in colour through a tan leather sofa or some scatter cushions.

SAGE GREEN More of a nature-inspired decorator? Sage green is on trend thanks to its calming qualities, and when used on walls and ceilings, it gently envelopes a room to create a cosy haven. This colour is particularly effective in living rooms and bedrooms.

DARK GREY Go Nordic with a deep grey. Far from cold and clinical, warmer, darker greys have a cocooning effect on any room they’re used in. Layer up with whites, woods and knitted throws for Scandi-style hygge in an instant.

warmth and style

Warm colours and textures are important to invoke cosiness in the home. Painting with warm colours, like natural greens and earthy browns, and filling your house with blankets and cushions is a good way to help a home feel more welcoming – and provide handy accessories to snuggle up with.

Being surrounded by warm textures and colours invigorates your senses, increases your feelings of safety and helps you to enjoy living in the moment.

staying warm at home

We’ll go into the specifics of how you can better warm up your home (from insulation to stoves) over the page, but there are plenty of tips and tricks you can use right now to cosy up your space. Try introducing some of these into your living spaces to inject instant cosiness to your home.

GET THE FIRE ON Turning on a fire, if you have one, is one of the best ways to instantly create a cosy, warm space. There’s the heat itself, of course – there’s nothing like sitting by the hearth warming your hands close to the flames – but the crackle of a fire and the warm orange, red and yellow colours also make for a hyggeligt sight in any room.

CONTROL YOUR HEATING It’s a good idea to keep your home at a consistent temperature throughout the day. Work out a reasonable base temperature that you can maintain all day and that’s comfortable for you. Use a timer to set it to come on before you get up in the morning and turn off when you’re going to bed – a cooler bedroom makes for better sleep – or invest in a smart thermostat that heats just the rooms you’re in.

LIGHT SOME CANDLES Like an open fire, there’s something especially cosy about candles, and while they might not seem to emit much heat, having a few burning at once can help warm up a space. The Danes prefer unscented candles for maximum hygge, but we won’t tell anyone if you want to use a warming winter spice scent instead!

PILE UP THE BLANKETS It’s time to get seriously snug. We’re talking knitted throws, fluffy blankets and a velvet cushion or two to maximise the comfort factor. Why do you think we take refuge in our beds or on the sofa when we’re ill or sad? The warmth these soft furnishings create, as well as their comforting effects, are key to a safe, secure and happy environment.

INVEST IN THE EXTRAS Hot water bottles and electric blankets are invaluable if you’re prone to getting chilly, but be safe and never use the two together. It’s also a good idea to start creating a spa-like bathroom space and picking up a bubble bar or two. Having a bath is the perfect way to get warm and heat up a cold bathroom at the same time.

next steps

You’re all set to get cosy in your home and maybe even boost your mental wellbeing at the same time. But actually getting your home warm is the next step. Learn how to better heat your home to save time and money on your bills over the page.

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1get cosy with a stove

A modern and stylish heating solution, stoves are a striking focal point in any home. Do your research before buying to decide which fuel type suits your space and needs: choose from multi-fuel, woodburning, gas and electric.

A woodburning or multi-fuel stove is an eco-friendly option, as long as you burn sustainably sourced materials. You will need to install a pre-fabricated flue system if you don’t have a chimney. “Smoke-control restrictions may be in place in your area and must be considered,” says Dave Saunders, special projects engineer at Stovax.

Electric stoves can be convenient, and some can even be hung on a wall or placed in a corner, so take up little space. They don’t require a flue, and can be placed almost anywhere in the home. You simply plug them in for instant heat.

A gas stove looks realistic and offers instant warmth as and when required. “There are restrictions for installing conventional flue gas fires in bedrooms or bathrooms. They should be located where accidental contact is unlikely,” adds Jack Drew of Gazco. An annual service will ensure your boiler is working as well as it should. If it’s over ten years old, you should consider replacing it with a newer model that could be more efficient. A combi boiler is a common choice for homes with one or two bathrooms. This heats water straight from the mains, so you only pay for the hot water you use. For larger houses, a system boiler, which uses stored water to provide hot water to multiple bathrooms at once, may be a better option. “Upgrading to a high-efficiency condensing boiler could cut heating and hot water bills by between 5 to 10%,” says Martyn Bridges at Worcester Bosch.

ways to warm your home

WORDS Amelia Smith

2add wall insulation According to the Energy Saving Trust (EST), around a third of all heat lost in an uninsulated home is through the walls. Cavity walls means there’s a gap between the inner and outer walls, which can be filled with insulation. This can be injected externally for minimal disruption.

If your home has solid walls with no gap, solid wall insulation can be fitted on your property’s interior or exterior. Fitting it internally is a good option if you’re already adding an extension or remodelling, as it causes a lot of disruption to your property, so it’s ideal to install at the same time. Remember insulation takes up additional floor space.

External insulation is a more expensive but less invasive option. This involves fixing insulation to your exterior walls and covering it with a render or cladding material, transforming the property’s appearance too.

3update your boiler © Getty Images lay loft

4insulation Putting insulation in your loft, attic or roof is a simple, effective way to reduce heat loss and lower your energy bills. The most common insulation is rolls of mineral wool which can be laid between the joists in the floor. If your loft is a living space, you can insulate the roof by fitting insulation boards between the roof rafters, and covering them with insulated plasterboard. If it’s easy to access, isn’t damp or a flat roof, and you’re a competent DIYer, you could fit the insulation yourself. For more complex cases, use a professional installer.

5opt for underfloor heating If you’re extending or renovating, underfloor heating can be one of the most efficient ways heating is more expensive up front, but cheaper to run than electric, and ideal for large areas or multiple rooms. Electric underfloor heating can be used in smaller of heating your space. As warmth naturally rises, by putting your heat source in the floor, rather than on the walls, less energy is wasted through the ceiling, and the heat is spread evenly around the room. “The room thermostat can be set 1 to 2°C lower than a radiator system and the room will still feel comfortable,” says David Playfoot at Uponor.

There are two types of underfloor heating: water and electric. Water-fed underfloor rooms, such as kitchens and bathrooms, and is ideal as you won’t need to alter your floor levels. “Electric systems are less expensive to install for areas under 20 square metres,” says expert renovator Michael Holmes. “Depending on your insulation, you could save 20 to 30% over traditional radiator systems running off conventional boilers, and even higher with renewable heat sources,” adds David.

6create a focal-point fireplace 7 install brandnew radiators 9pick energyefficient windows 10

8be smart with heating controls

Dreaming of the romantic appeal of an open fire? Remember you’ll need somewhere to store your fuel, and that 80% of energy from a fire is lost through the chimney. A more modern and energy-efficient option, such as a gas or electric fire, will be cost-effective and practical, while a fireplace surround makes a feature in your space. “Gas fires can have programmable remote controls, allowing you to schedule the time the appliance will switch on and at what temperature,” says Alex Sheldon at Stovax. Gas and real fires require a flue to vent out gases. Hire a professional to install your gas fire, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. consider alternative heating

Brand-new radiators will work most efficiently and cost less to heat. If your radiators feel colder at the top than at the bottom, bleeding your radiators is a DIY job that could release air to solve the issue. “Avoid positioning your radiators behind large objects, such as sofas, as this can block heat. If you’re short on wall space, a vertical radiator is an ideal way to include a big radiator for maximum heating impact,” says Simon Morris at The Radiator Company. Make sure you update draughty windows to reduce heat loss and keep cold air out. Look for the best energy rating.

With the latest thermostats, you can control your central heating via an app. If you’re staying out longer than expected, you can delay your heating so you’re not paying to warm an empty home. Also, the whole family can access the app on their phones, tablets or laptops, controlling the heating to meet everyone’s needs. For the Hive thermostat, you simply connect the hub to your broadband router, attach the receiver to your boiler, and you can control your heating from your phone on the go. The Nest app also lets you see how much money you’re saving, and even how you could save more. On average, people using the Nest Thermostat E have saved 10 to 12% on heating bills. “Systems like Wiser thermostats from Drayton use radiator thermostats to create individual heating zones. This means you can fix the temperature in the living room to 20°C, for example, but have it lower in empty spare rooms to save energy,”says Mikael Eliaeson at Wiser. Air source heat pumps and skirting board heating are alternative options for warming your whole house. Air source heat pumps are an efficient renewable energy solution, which sit on the exterior of your property. They’re powered by electricity and draw in external air, transforming it into energy to warm water and heat pipes and radiators. “As a stand-alone heating option, it means you could heat your new extension separately, without adding to the demand of your existing system,” says Martyn Bridges at Worcester Bosch.

Skirting board heating can be ‘wet’ like a typical radiator, working with your boiler or heat pump; or electric, like a panel heater. “The skirting board is heated and radiates heat all around the room from a low level. The comfort is similar to underfloor heating, but it heats up as quickly as radiators,” says Martin Wadsworth at Discrete Heat. If used with a heat pump, an all-round skirting heating system could save you 25% compared to electric or oil heating.