Making the right preparations is essential to having a relaxing winter. There’s an art to it.
Winter’s coming! There’s a lot to love about the season: holidays and festivals, snow sports, cuddly clothes, hearty soups and stews. There’s a lot to tolerate: sloppy driving conditions, short gray days, heating bills. Most of all, though, winter is nature’s season of rest and replenishment, and we’re part of nature. Your physical and emotional well-being during the dark, chilly season is the key to loving the lovable aspects and shrugging off the inconveniences.
Making the right preparations is essential to having a relaxing winter. There’s an art to it, one that’s been refined over centuries by people living in four-season climates. The secret to a mellow, refreshing winter lies in making your home a refuge, a cozy nest where you’ll be safe, warm, and happy, so take these measures now and be ready to enjoy those long, peaceful evenings.
WINTERIZE IT
Here’s where your friendly neighborhood hardware store can help, either by selling you what you need or recommending local pros who can do any needed work. Make sure your gutters aren’t sagging and your roof doesn’t leak. Get your chimney checked, and cleaned if necessary. Clean the vents and filters on your heating system so it won’t be struggling with dust and crud, and check to be sure it turns on; many HVAC professionals offer “tuneups” that will make sure everything is clean, lubricated, adjusted, and ready to rock’n’roll. If you’re using a wood or pellet stove, check for any cracks or leaks.
Drain and put away garden hoses, and drain outdoor spigots so there’s nothing in them to freeze. If there’s plumbing you can reach that’s in exterior walls, make sure it’s well insulated. Investing a few dollars in an air leak detector and a few more to follow up with weatherstripping and insulation at the drafty spots can save you a bunch in the long run. Swap your screens out for storm windows, and consider adding another layer on the inside with window insulation kits along with “door snakes” for your exterior doors.
While you’re eliminating drafts, think about an air purifier/humidifier to keep your nest fresh and sweet. It’s great for your health, especially if you heat with wood or burn incense. Make sure you have a lightweight snow shovel, a scraper and brush for the car, and jumper cables. And we’re hoping everyone’s power stays on, but just in case, get a few battery-operated lights, a radio, and a rechargeable portable power station—they make nifty ones these days for around $100 that can power USB chargers and 120-volt appliances.
SET IT UP
Winter is nature’s season of rest and replenishment, and we’re part of nature.
Do a deep decluttering and cleaning, and consider a fresh coat of paint. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Take a long look at how your furniture is arranged. Are there spots where it’s low-key annoying you, tripping hazards, or places where clutter just tends to pile up? Now’s the time to get your feng shui on and fix those things, because you’re likely to be spending a bunch more time indoors, and a minor annoyance in the warmer months can become a major drain on your energy. Consider hunting down a new (or new-to-you) couch, and/or a comfy chair or two. If you don’t own a crockpot, grab one; there’s nothing like having a nourishing dinner all ready, hot, and savory at the end of the day’s work or play. And stock up on some non-perishable meals and staples, so you won’t have to run out and shop if the mood or the weather isn't ideal.
LIGHT IT UP
You can layer up to beat the cold, but there’s no getting around the fact that we get a lot less sunshine—somewhere around six hours less. So as the nights lengthen, it’s the perfect time to play with and perfect your interior lighting. Make sure you have a good reading lamp or two by that comfy spot we mentioned, and good lighting in your kitchen and work spaces. If you haven’t yet, check into energy-saving LED options, from full-spectrum bulbs that’ll help chase the winter blahs to fun shapes and colors. Candles and oil lamps add a wonderful cozy glow.
PRETTY IT UP
Winter is the time for warm colors and cuddly textures. Gift yourself a blanket, quilt or comforter for your bed that sparks your heart every time you look at it or touch it, and a throw or two to keep near that cozy chair or couch we mentioned. Soft fabrics like velvet and silk with a bit of reflective shine to them pair well with nubbly woven wall hangings or throws. Pops of red, orange, and gold in glowing jewel tones blend beautifully with rich earth tones. Cool greens and blues can soothe that cabin fever with a hint of the outdoors. Consider treating yourself to a new piece of wall art or sculpture that’s conducive to long, interesting thoughts or just to joy.
The secret to a mellow, refreshing winter lies in making your home a refuge, a cozy nest where you’ll be safe, warm and happy.
FILL IT WITH FUN
Hit one of our fine indie bookstores for a stack of actual books; there’s really no substitute. Pick up a board game and a puzzle or two and some art or hobby supplies. Make sure your home entertainment stuff is up to par, from router to screens and speakers. Cancel any streaming services or subscriptions you don’t use, and put the savings into something fresh and unexplored. For a truly fabulous winter nest, nothing beats adding a sunroom, a hot tub, and/or a pellet or wood-burning stove.
