We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Even if you live a busy, active life, you probably find yourself moving a bit more slowly in the winter months. It gets dark early, which inherently makes you feel a bit more sluggish, and the cold, wind, rain, and snow can be hard to bear. On top of all that, it’s also cold and flu season. So, it’s no wonder most people spend more time at home this time of year.
Sitting around inside all day can make you feel glum, but it doesn’t have to! It can also be a chance to discover new ways to love being in your own home. One way to do that is by making your everyday routine a bit more special — like making your usual tea in a cute new teapot from IKEA.
What Is the IKEA SKEDSTOR Teapot?
Priced at $24.99, the SKEDSTOR teapot from IKEA has a “modern Scandinavian design” that combines sunny colors, geometric shapes, metal accents, and curved lines. It’s cuter and more unique-looking than most teapots I’ve seen — it’ll look great in the middle of a table or sitting out in the kitchen — and it holds 34 ounces of liquid, so you’ll get four 8-ounce cups of tea out of it. And although it’s made from attractive glazed stoneware, you can actually put it in the dishwasher.
Inside the teapot, you’ll find a removable stainless steel infuser, which you fill with the tea of your choice. It’s meant for loose-leaf tea, but you could also put tea bags in there (or take the tea out of the bags) if that’s what you have or prefer. Just don’t heat it over the stove; you’re meant to boil water separately, then pour the water into the teapot.
Why This Cheery Teapot Is Perfect for Wintertime
If you’re already a big tea drinker, then a fun new teapot can be a nice way to treat yourself — especially if you want to start drinking more loose-leaf tea. If you don’t drink tea much, then the playful design of this teapot could inspire you to try it more often. Because it makes multiple cups of tea at once, you could even have a few friends over for tea time or turn your next roommate movie night into an extra-cozy experience.
The cheery teapot is “one of the best purchases I’ve made,” writes Alex, a reviewer on IKEA’s website. It “not only works great,” but “its fun pattern and colors make me happy every day when I use it.” When it gets dark at 4 p.m. and the air is always frigid, you need all the extra happiness you can get.
Kristen is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance writer and homebody. She specializes in home and lifestyle content, and loves helping others live their best lives at home and beyond. Romanticizing her life since 1987, you can probably find her sipping on iced coffee, crushing a Crossfit workout, designing her next dream space, or blasting Taylor Swift.
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Those of us who live in cold weather environments know the challenge of staying cozy without having to pay astronomical bills in the winter. Yes, there are a thousand ways you can renovate your home to help make your heating more efficient, but that doesn’t help you right now. This post is about practical tips and small purchases that can help you stay warm today without a renovation.
If you live in one of those places where the weather is 80 degrees all year you might want to skip this post. Better yet, read it so you can survive when the weather drops to 65 degrees. We kid, warm weather dwellers. Believe me, all of us want to be you right now (and all year long).
Read on for our best tips are keeping cozy this winter season.
1. Wrap up in a heated blanket
Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it!
I am always cold so my family purchased me the above heated blanket for Christmas. I use it every day. Modern day heated blankets have shutoff timers and overheat limits so they are totally safe. I use my heated blanket to keep warm while I am snuggled up on the sofa or sitting at my desk. The heated blanket keeps you from knowing really your furnace is turned down.
2. Shut doors in your house to create zone heating
Make sure you keep the doors shut to rooms you do not use during the day or night. This will help your heating source focus on the areas where you are spending time. This is called zone heating. Zoned heating is your friend in the winter because it maximizes the heat where you are.
3. Shut vents in unused rooms
There is no need to heat your guest bedroom or unfinished basement if the rooms are not being used. This will force all the heat into the rooms that you do use.
If you really want to be proactive, shut the vents to your bedroom during the day and open it back up about an hour before you go to bed. At bedtime, shut your living and kitchen area vents.
For extra coverage, magnetic vent covers can work well to cover floor vents. Ceiling and wall vent covers tend to come off but do work better if the vent is closed.
4. Use an oil-filled space heater
Oil-filled heaters are the safer version of space heaters to use in your home. They do take a little while to heat up but they do warm up a space effectively, especially if you shut doors to maximize the space. Even though they are the “safer version,” you still need to be careful. Make sure you spend a little extra money for one with a timer and an overheat shutoff for safety reasons. You do not want to leave them on overnight or while you are away from home. They can be warm to the touch so like any space heater, it may not be good with little kids.
These type of heaters are really great for helping your pipes not freeze under a sink. Open your sink cabinet doors and place it next to the cabinet periodically throughout the day when its below freezing.
5. Purchase a portable electric fireplace
An electric fireplace with high BTUs can really warm up a space. These are more expensive than space heaters, but most are safe to touch for the littles in your home. They are also very safe and efficient to run for long periods of time. I am getting impressed with the stylish options available these days.
If you have a non working fireplace you can tuck one of these into your fireplace like Megan Pflug did in her basement makeover.
6. Switch out window treatments for thermal curtains / add thermal curtain liners
Switch out curtains with thermal curtains or attach thermal curtain liners to your existing curtains. Windows can be the largest source of cold air entering into your home. Thermal curtains can help keep the cold air insulated.
Hanging a curtain over your exterior doors can be stylish and help your house feel warmer in the winter.
8. Open curtains during the day and close them at night
During a sunny winter day, let the sun in to warm your home. When the sun is down, shut them to insulate the cold air.
Dandelion Discoveries
9. Hang a curtain at the top of your stairwell
If you have a two-story home use a thermal curtain and tension rod at the top of your stairs. Close the curtain the times of the day when you spend most of your time downstairs. Why? It is simple, hot air rises and the closed curtain can keep the hot air downstairs.
The top of my stairwell is a doorway sized opening so I can use a shower curtain tension rod to hang a thermal curtain. The above stairway curtain “how to” is over at Dandelion Discoveries.
10. After using your oven, keep the door open while it cools down
Maximize the usage of your oven as long as you can. After you use your oven, keep the door open while the oven cools down. Of course, not the best thing to do if you have little kiddos hanging around.
12. Add insulated covers to your outlets and light sockets
Your outlets and light switches can be a source for cold air to get into your home. This is true especially if you live in an old home where the walls are not insulated. If you live in an old home with original plaster walls…this applies to you. This fix requires no rewiring or electrician skills. You just need a screwdriver to take off the face plate.
13. Cover your home with window sill and door draft stoppers
Use rice and fabric remnants to create a cute insulated window sill or door draft stopper
14. Lay down a rug or two
If you have hardwood floors, rugs can help with cold floors. Check your local carpet store for remnants if you are on a budget. If there is no room in the budget for a rug, lay a blanket on the floor while you are hanging out in your living room.
15. Wear a winter hat around the house
Heat exits your body from your head so keep yourself warm by keeping a cute winter hat on your head while you are home.
16. Wear warm slippers
Like your head, heat exits your body from your feet so keep them insulated.
17. Warm your towels with a towel warmer
Fight the cold in the bathroom by warming up your towels while you shower. They also work for bathrobes.
Give your living room a fresh look by rearranging your furniture away from your windows. If the furniture in front of your window only fits one way, move your seating away from the window a least 6 inches and execute tips 6, 8, 13, and 20.
19. Unblock heater vents
Don’t sacrifice your coziness for a piece of furniture over a vent. Rearrange your furniture to unblock the vent. Not possible? Purchase a vent attachment or extender.
Amazon
20. Install plastic window insulators
These plastic window insulators can help your windows feel like a more expensive window. If done well, the insulator really isn’t super noticeable. They are easy to install and remove. All you need is scissors and a hair dryer. Most of the instructions tell you to install the plastic over your outer trim. I was able to install the plastic on the inside of the window trim behind my window treatments. These are a great solution for large windows with no window treatments.
Sometimes just thinking warmer thoughts can get you feeling cozier. Cuddle up and get some inspiration for you outdoor spaces this summer and tell yourself you are almost there!
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
When you have depression — something I experience without fail every single winter — it can feel hard to take care of yourself, even though that’s exactly what you need. Some days, everything but leaving the comfort of your bed can seem insurmountable, and it can feel impossible to attend to even basic needs.
Depression can take away your ability to carry out your regular self-care routine, but other mental health conditions can impact this, too. If your nerves are frazzled, you may feel too anxious to do anything but worry. If you’re reliving trauma, you may feel too sad or even unworthy of any self-care. And even if you’re not dealing with a diagnosed mental health condition, a bad day can absolutely put self-care last on your priority list.
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It’s a buzzword that’s been tossed around the last few years, but self-care really does work. Whether it’s taking an extra-long bubble bath or hitting the gym for a much-needed sweat session, research has proven that self-care has the power to improve well-being, lengthen lifespans, and decrease healthcare costs, as one 2021 study shares.
But if you’re not exactly feeling like yourself these days, and poor mental health is getting in the way, self-care might seem impossible. As a year-round self-care devotee, I get realistic about my ability to carry out certain routines while I’m experiencing winter depression. I know I won’t have as much energy to practice the same level of self-care that I do in July. So, I dial it down and make it more manageable — but I still make it a priority, even on my worst days.
These are some low-lift (and bonus: low-budget) self-care ideas that help me while I’m in the throes of depression. What’s effective for me might not vibe with you — and that’s OK, because every person needs to figure out the self-care tactics that work for them. But these will hopefully inspire you to weave some easy self-care into your day, even if you’re struggling.
Reading has long been a soothing activity for many, but speaking for myself, sitting down with a lengthy book can easily overwhelm me if I’m depressed. If your idea of the ultimate act of self-care is reading a thick book, by all means, have at it. But if you’re like me and can’t fathom the idea of tackling a book, make your goal smaller.
For example, I have an entire shelf in a closet dedicated to my favorite childhood books. When I’m feeling lousy, I pull one out for a nostalgic fix that isn’t overwhelming to read. Flip through a magazine, even if all you can do is appreciate the photos. Spend five minutes reading lifestyle articles online that lift your spirits (on a site like Apartment Therapy, perhaps?).
Shop for Vintage (Or Anything That Gives You a Spark)
I’ve always called vintage shopping one of my top self-care activities. There’s something so relaxing about perusing booths at a flea market and searching for specific items that gives my brain something to focus on other than whatever mental health hurdle I’m facing. Plus, oftentimes, thrift shopping doesn’t break the bank. If you feel up to it, take yourself to a cool, local antique store, find an indoor market, or go thrifting, and you may discover that it’s your favorite way to practice self-care, too. Can’t get out of bed? I’ve found that Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, and eBay are excellent stand-ins when leaving the house isn’t in the cards.
I know, I know — this is one of the more hackneyed self-care activities, but there’s a reason for it. It really does work and it’s easy to do, even if you have zero motivation. I’m not much for bubbles or bath bombs, but I love sinking down into the hottest water I can stand (just test the water first so you don’t burn yourself!). I also sprinkle in Epsom salts. I’m partial to Dr. Teal’s Epsom salts (three pounds costs less than $6). Choose a scent that works well in the moment (i.e. lavender for bedtime, peppermint for energy), turn on some music, and put on a sheet mask, which is another budget-friendly way to practice self-care.
Pets have been proven to lower blood pressure, decrease stress, and boost their owners’ well-being. It’s something I’ve personally experienced time and time again. Whether we’re cuddling on the couch or tossing a ball, my corgi, Dolly, is a major component of my self-care routine — and I improve her quality of life, too! On your bad days, plan on plenty of quality time with your pet. No pet? Snuggle up to a pal’s pooch, sit on a bench near a dog park, or watch YouTube videos of adorable animals. It’s low-cost and you can do it without leaving your bed.
This isn’t exactly a self-care activity. It’s more of a mindset shift, which is a way of taking care of yourself and it’s free. You’re having a bad day or your mental health is suffering — cut yourself some slack. Accept that today, your self-care might look different than it does on other days, or from what other people do for self-care. Can’t muster up the energy for that five-mile run? Take a walk on your home treadmill or do a simple meditation instead. Socializing typically makes you feel better, but today, you’re not up for it — text a friend or have some alone time to process and feel better. Remove the guilt, ease up, and meet yourself where you are. Those short, doable bursts of self-care will make a difference and get you through until you feel like you again.
If you’re feeling hopeless, have lost interest in everyday activities, or have other uncomfortable, persistent symptoms, it may be time to reach out to your doctor. You can also call the National Helpline at 1-800-622-4357.
Sarah writes about all things shopping for Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, and Cubby helping you find the best deals and the best products for you and your home. A Brooklyn-born Jersey Girl, she loves a good playlist, a good bagel, and her family (but not necessarily in that order).
