The Clever Furniture Trick That'll Help You Save On Heating Your Home

When the weather turns cold, it's tempting to crank up the heat to keep your house nice and toasty. But that, of course, can get pricey. Although there are lots of things to love about winter — your heating bill certainly isn't one of them. Fortunately, there are clever tricks for staying warm in your home so you can avoid touching the thermostat. One has to do with rearranging your furniture. Interestingly, the placement of your furniture, especially the seating, can have an effect on how cozy your house feels during the cooler months. With a little planning and moving items around, it can actually make a big difference.

The living room is a place where family members gather all year long. It's also the perfect spot for relaxing by yourself after a long day — so it's important that it stays comfortable when the temperatures drop. Instead of choosing your couch and chairs' placement simply because it "looks good," think about what will help keep you warmer. For starters, keep your seating off of exterior walls, which tend to be colder since they're closer to the outside air. You also want to keep it away from doors and windows to avoid being hit with sneaky drafts while you're trying to lounge. It's an excellent way to be prepared for winter.

Now that you know you want to stay away from windows, doors, and exterior walls — the next step is to move your seating inwards. Utilize interior walls for your couches and chairs, creating a cluster for extra coziness. Just make sure that you don't cover any heating vents with your furniture. Also, go around the room and move any other furniture pieces or home decor that might be covering them. Vents that are blocked can have a major effect on a home's warmth, making you wonder why your heating bill is through the roof. Plus, you should be taking advantage of them, too.

If you have a large bookcase or armoire, move it to an exterior wall. Fill the piece with books or other items, and it can help insulate the room. Place rugs on the floor by your furniture to warm your feet, and use throw pillows with snuggly textures. Lamps can also help add a small amount of heat while brightening the room, so set one or more up in your main sitting area. Keep these tips in mind for other rooms as well, such as the bedroom, or if you use a home office. The main goal is to shift the furniture you spend the most time in to the least cold areas of the room — while also being sure you're not covering the vents. That way, you won't feel the nagging urge to turn the thermostat up.