3 Tips to Prepare Your Home for the Winter

The countries that experience extreme winters each have their strategies for preparing for the cold. There are a good number of DIY solutions for keeping you and your loved ones nice and warm. You can get inspired by these worldwide tips and find ways to embark on these projects together as a family, as a way of bonding. The warmth will be even more rewarding knowing that you made it possible together. It can even become a tradition you can put your own spin on, and you can all look forward to the process every year.

Here are some tips on preparing your home for the winter from around the world:

Insulate Your Windows (Japan)

Since Japanese homes are not technically built for the chillier months, citizens take it upon themselves to come up with creative solutions for warding off the cold. Many older homes feature single-pane windows that allow the draft to sneak in. One of the best do-it-yourself strategies for insulating your windows, as suggested by Japan Info is a trip to your local hardware store. You can purchase heavy-duty plastic sheets or even bubble wrap which can be attached after spraying water on the glass. These keep out cold air while allowing warm air to circulate. If this isn’t enough, perhaps consider switching your curtains out for something thicker too.

Check Your Pipes (The UK)

Due to the extreme weather conditions in the UK during the winter, residents need to conduct thorough home maintenance checks and make the necessary adjustments before the weather gets even harsher. Frozen pipes could lead to bursts and catastrophic leaks, which will only do further damage to homes. HomeServe explains the different diagnoses for leaky pipes, should this occur. It’s important to check the overflow pipes from the water tank leading outside, as this is an essential component of a home plumbing system. It’s wise to check your home coverage options to ensure you are covered if you encounter any issues later on. This type of awareness when it comes to protecting your home from the elements is something the US can definitely learn something from and follow suit. You can never take enough measures to ensure your safety and protection – especially when you’re battling against the weather.

Change Your Home’s Color Palette (Australia)

Colors and emotions are intrinsically linked. Warmer colors are said to invoke more optimistic feelings, which may belong forgotten when the cold weather arrives. Homes to Love Australia suggests rethinking your color palette when seasons change. When colder months arrive, consider rich and warm hues like olive green, muted pink, and earthy terracotta. These will make your home feel like a welcoming retreat to offset the winter chill. You can even accessorize your home with similarly colored accents: repurpose scarves as blankets draped on furniture, reupholster pillows with old fabric, or even pay a visit to your local flea market to pick up a few items for added comfort. You will notice how much more inviting your home will become once you make these simple changes, and may even inspire visitors to do the same in their own houses.

Staying warm all winter long will ensure a happy, stress-free holiday season where your focus can just be dedicated to making new memories with your loved ones. With minimum effort, you can achieve maximum comfort.