Each season presents unique characteristics and challenges in which we must prepare our homes. The onset of summer means pulling out the swimsuits and sandals for the pool and stocking up on sunscreen to lather up the kids for long days of play in the sun. For fall and winter, the space that hung sun hats will be taken over by heavy coats, and longer nights mean staying warm with cocoa while bundled up in a cozy blanket. The winter season can make us cherish the warmth and comfort our homes may bring, but only if our homes are ready to take on the cold.
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As we make preparations for cold days and long nights, here are several ideas to help you and your little ones enjoy the season of winter by bringing warmth to their spaces.
Tackle the Draft
We may not realize that the doors and windows of our home may not be sealed properly until it is already cold outside and the cold uninvitedly finds its way in. Sometimes our first instinct is to crank up the heat, but you may want to try this first instead.
Make sure to inspect any openings of your home for gaps, cracks and other sealing issues. Not only will this keep the draftiness out of your home, but checking openings will increase your home's efficiency and help lower energy costs this winter. These methods may include:
Caulking and weather stripping
Inserting door sweep/draft stoppers (great DIY opportunity!)
Heat Efficiently
Making the switch to a programmable thermostat can be an easy way to heat your home efficiently. However, maximizing efficiency in your home goes beyond a few adjustable heat settings.
More heat saving options can include:
Changing out air filters regularly to ensure your heating unit is not working harder than it has to, and also helps with air quality, especially for young lungs.
Performing a yearly or biannual sweep of your heating and cooling units to keep your unit in tip top shape for the season ahead.
Taking advantage of the power of the sun and open up window coverings. You might not guess it, but even mildly overcast days can bring warmth. Not only does the winter sun provide an adequate and free heat source, but makes for cheerier afternoons of indoor play. Just be sure to draw curtains shut at sunset.
An easy method to try if you have ceiling fans in the home is to reverse the rotation to clockwise in order to push down heat from above (heat naturally rises!). You can even turn it into a neat - and much appreciated - science activity with the kiddos.
Replacing single-pane windows for double-paned, energy efficient windows, if your budget permits. As a more affordable alternative, try utilizing a window insulation kit.
Bring in the Right Fibers
This is not just regarding the clothing your kid wears, although this, too, is essential for a cozy winter.
Natural fibers like wool and linen, have traditionally been used to stay warm in the cold, winter months. Now, there are so many textile options and uses, here are a couple ways to introduce warmth-bringing textiles to your child's bedroom:
Walls - Try dressing up windows with non-vinyl insulating curtains. These help especially with keeping the dropping overnight temperatures from coming into your home, especially if you are working with single-paned glass.
Bedding - Opt for thicker sheets, like flannel, for added warmth. For younger children, try having them sleep in a wool or fleece-zippered blanket. Their body heat remains sealed in the blanket all night long. These blankets are a good addition to footed pajamas since little ones' body heat can escape since they tend to move around a lot. For older children, try adding thin, but warming layers to their bedspread like cotton waffle weave and fleece blankets under a thick comforter.
Flooring - Offering thick rugs (pillows and blankets also work!) for their bedroom and play places helps especially with spaces that have wooden or tiled flooring. Grippy slippers or thick wool socks are a great choice for little feet that want to move around!
Other Considerations
Try arranging furniture like beds, desks and any other types where your child is likely to spend a lot of time along interior walls of the house so that colder, exterior walls are further away.
Try any of these tips for a winterized home the whole family can enjoy, and make sure even the choosiest kid is satisfied all winter long.