Warming Trends: Room By Room DIY and BUY Energy-Efficient Solutions For A Warmer Home

As the cost of heating continues to rise, so has the awareness of just how much energy is seeping out of homes. Can we continue to enjoy the comforts of a warm home in an age when it is imperative that we consider energy issues first?

Weatherization protects a home's interior from the elements with the hopes of reducing energy consumption and efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that weatherization can reduce heating bills by 32% and overall energy bills by $358 per year.

WATCH VIDEO: Home Energy Audit

Whether you live in an old home that has stood the test of time, or a newer, more energy-efficient one, bring in extra warmth without breaking the bank, sacrificing style, or putting the planet at risk.

"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: It is the time for home." ~ Edith Sitwell

Room By Room DIY or BUY Solutions for a Warmer Home

Try some of these interior design solutions for keeping your home warm and cozy all winter long. It's your choice - DIY or BUY!

Living Room

Add an insulated blanket of drapes or curtains to your windows with a barrier that keeps the cold out and the heat in.

DIY: Make your own insulated curtains. Try using a material such as hemp that will resist mold and also has a natural design appeal.

BUY: These neutral linen energy-saving drapes from Gaiam warms up any décor.

Kitchen

Plate warmers keep food warm by serving. Or, warm the plates and serve straight onto them from the oven.

DIY: Here is how to keep plates warm before serving food.

BUY: Just as stones in nature remain warm long after the sun goes down, the compressed density of these Dining Stones keep plates warmer longer.

Dining room

Visual and tactile texture makes a room more interesting and literally warmer. Hanging tapestries or wood paneling for insulating purposes, conserves more energy and warmth than bare walls or wallpaper.

DIY: Make a large wall hanging, or an eco-friendly recycled wool wall quilt or a peace quilt.

BUY: Anthropologie has a colorful array of quilts for sale. These tapestries come in all styles.

Bedroom

Pre-heat the bed and you won't have to turn up the heat. Hot-water bottles get the job done.

DIY: Knit a Hot-Water Bottle Cover or make one from old sweaters.

BUY: A natural rubber hot-water bottle with a cotton flannel cover from the Vermont Company Store.

Bathroom

While you are cutting down on water and energy consumption, add a thick, cozy (and washable) area rug to warm up those chilly floors.

DIY: Here are 5 DIY rugs to keep your toes warm.

BUY: Organic linen, hemp or cotton are fine natural fabrics for moist bathroom mats.

Stairs

Stairways get a lot of foot traffic. In winter, it's nice to be able to paddle barefoot to an upstairs bedroom on a soft, warm surface.

DIY: To warm up stairs there is no need to have custom rugs made for these narrow spaces. A rectangular area rug can be cut into strips and measured to the correct width. The strips can be bound (most carpet stores offer this service) and then attached end-to-end to create a single piece. Or, use old Kilim rug remnants, or grain sacks.

BUY: Apartment Therapy has a good thread about where to purchase stair runners. These cheap IKEA rugs make a warm and eclectic stair runner.

Entrance Halls

The doorways and entrance halls are drafty. Stave off the chill from doorways with draft blockers. This is especially useful at night when it is colder and folks are not coming in and out as often.

DIY: Follow these step-by-step directions to make a Draft Stopper.

BUY: Here is an inexpensive Draft Stopper.php that does double duty on both sides of the door.

See what Preservation Magazine has to say about weatherizing your home for winter:

Watch Video: Greenovate: Save 40% on energy bills.