If you live in a cold winter climate, you know how uncomfortable it can be to spend time in the bathroom. Drafty windows and tile floors can make you feel cold when you’re most vulnerable. Getting out of a warm shower is a terrible experience. And if you’re forced to spend an hour or more in the bathroom getting ready each morning, it can feel like the worst room in the house.

So what steps can you take to make your bathroom more comfortable in winter?

Start With the Basics

Before we dig into more serious upgrades, let’s talk about some of the simple habit changes and small investments you can make to instantly make your bathroom more comfortable in the winter.

Thick rugs

Chances are, your bathroom already has a handful of rugs. Why not upgrade those rugs to be thicker, cozier, and more comfortable for the winter? Purchasing a luxury bath mat will set you back more than a dollar-store counterpart, but it’s still not going to be very expensive. When you first step out of the shower, you’ll be glad that the thick rug is there.

A heated toilet seat

A heated toilet seat could be exactly what you need to feel warmer when visiting the bathroom. One of the worst experiences you’ll face in a bathroom in winter is sitting down and instantly feeling how cold the toilet seat is; this won’t be an issue if you warm up the seat beforehand.

A cozy bathrobe

Just like rugs, a luxury bathrobe is going to be more expensive than its cheaper counterpart, but it’s still going to be affordable for most people. Get a nice, warm bathrobe for yourself, so you can wrap it around you the moment you get out of the shower and dry.

Sunlight

Sunlight has a powerful warming effect, even in the depths of winter. Instead of relying purely on heat sources to warm up your bathroom, simply keep your curtains open to let in as much sunlight as possible. If there’s anything outside blocking the sunlight, such as a shady tree, consider removing it.

Upgrade the Windows and Insulation

If you’re willing to make bigger, more expensive upgrades to your bathroom, consider improving your windows and insulation. Oftentimes, bathrooms lose heat because of air leaks and bad insulation.

If there isn’t much insulation in your wall, if your windows haven’t been properly sealed, or if your windows are many years old and failing in their insulative capacity, an upgrade is practically the only option. Thankfully, treatments like blown-in insulation and resealing windows are inexpensive and relatively easy to manage – even as a DIYer.

Consider Installing Heated Floors

Assuming you have the budget for it, installing radiant heated floors can completely transform your bathroom experience. You’ll no longer have to worry about stepping foot on the cold tile, and the entire room will be warmer as a result. The downside is that you can usually expect to pay at least thousands of dollars for this type of upgrade.

Use a Space Heater

Space heaters aren’t always the most energy efficient option, but when heating a small space temporarily (like a bathroom when you’re getting ready in the morning), they’re almost impossible to beat. Even a small space heater, after just a few minutes, should provide enough warmth to make your bathroom much more comfortable. The only issue is you can’t leave it running throughout the day since it poses a fire hazard when left totally unattended.

Adjust Your Water Heater Settings

Take a moment to check your water heater settings.

Hot showers and baths have the potential to warm you up on even the coldest days, but if your heat is too low, you won’t see all the benefits. Different people have different preferences here, so keep playing with the temperature until you find the sweet spot for your family.

Keep the Door Closed During Your Shower

Consider keeping your bathroom door closed whenever you take a hot shower. This will trap the heat and moisture from your shower in the bathroom, allowing it to stay warmer and more comfortable for a longer period of time.

Decorate With Warm Tones

Believe it or not, being in warm-tinted light and looking at warm colors can make us subjectively feel warmer. Accordingly, you can paint your bathroom a heat-suggestive color like red or orange and install warmer-tinted lights to make your bathroom feel a few degrees warmer.

No matter what, some of your bathroom trips during the winter are going to be colder than you like and vaguely unpleasant. But if you commit to making at least a few of the upgrades in this article, you’ll be in a much better position to have a warm, comfortable experience.

If you’re like most people, you want your home to be a comfortable and inviting place to relax and unwind. But if you’re also like most people, you probably don’t have a lot of money to spare for decorating. Never fear! You can start with a quick repainting job with some pattern or solid colors, a new piece of furniture, wall photos or art, or even curtains or blinds. These five quick and easy hacks will give your home the desired look on your budget.

Hang some artwork or photos on the walls

Artwork on the walls of someone’s home are synonymous to luxury. So it’s hardly surprising that art costs a lot and not everyone can afford it. But there is a much cheaper alternative – customizable wall art that presents your own images as artworks.

An affordable way to decorate your home with visually pleasing décor features is by ordering some framed prints which see your photos presented as gallery exhibits – behind a cover of polished acrylic glass and enhanced by a white cardstock frame mat (what is professionally known as passepartout). Framed photos are a timeless décor solution that looks great in any interior and design scheme. Elegant classic frames provide a perfect background for just about any photo – feel free to frame bold, interesting images, not just studio portraits and formal photos taken at family gatherings.

Apart from framed prints, other wall art formats – think of canvas prints, metal prints, maybe even miniature and lightweight photo tiles – also make a great addition to any home.

Have your walls repainted

Painting the walls is probably the most impactful way to change the room’s ambiance. You can do it yourself or entrust the task to the DIY professionals

 You can find attractive paint jobs with solid patterns and elegant textures in magazines and online designs. Or you can design your less expensive elegant textures and patterns with multiple techniques. For instance, solid colors are great for trending. They are suitable for the living room. And ensure they describe your personality. 

Some people go with stencil designs with intonating patterns which are less expensive. They are affordable and safe to use with paint. You can do a simple pattern, dots, geometric patterns, and trip with paint. Use tape to pattern the wall before painting. Once the walls are dried, you can remove the tape to display the beauty of the paint.

Add some new curtains or blinds

An easy way to decorate a home is by adding curtains or blinds. These fabrics elevate the look of a room effortlessly and are a good sign of a sophisticated design. 

Most people overlook these items when decorating a home, but they are essential for the good look of windows. These draperies can change the look of a room. Instead of using a dark curtain with a random pattern, it is important to research and find a meaningful design to fit your space look. A curtain can be placed above, around, or in front of the window. This fabric provides structure and dimension to space. To find curtains or blinds that work the best for your space, you need to think about the dominant color of the room, the window shape, the level of reflecting light. 

Buy a new rug

Replacing old rugs always has a significant impact on the home. Rugs are textiles that add warmth and coziness to the home. They also add a refining accent to a space. 

And even though rugs are definitely more practical than aesthetical, it doesn’t mean that rugs can’t be beautiful too. You can choose personalized rugs and doormats that will be printed with any image of your choice. Then you can lay the rug diagonally to make your room look more dynamic and unusual. Of course, don’t forget about practical aspects – for example, if you lay the rug next to the home entrance, then better go for dark colors. But if you use the rug in the living room or bedroom, feel free to unleash your creativity!

Get some new furniture

Even the most minimalist homes do have (some) furniture. Though a durable and classic piece of furniture is costly, you can start getting your furniture collection piece by piece by focusing on one room after another. Buy comfortable and functional furniture at affordable prices. You can also find good picks at sales and small boutique shops. 

And don’t overlook smaller items – even a small coffee table can alter the look of a room. Before you choose, consider the room’s color, size, appearance, and décor scheme.

When you’re buying a first home, there can be so many variables to consider that you may start to feel a little overwhelmed. After all, it’s one of life’s most important decisions, and chances are you’re currently dealing with a long list of questions and concerns before you’re willing to sign on the dotted line to make your big move into that new place.

But what about the future that lies beyond those first few months in your first-time home? Are you settling down into a thriving future hub of culture and prosperity or a potential first-time buyer’s nightmare? It’s essential to consider the area you’re looking to spend your life in and how that area will play a part in your future plans.

Houston has gained a reputation over the years as a prime place for first-time home buyers to settle, grow, and gain the benefits of this unique area. What are those benefits? Read below to learn more about making Houston your potential first-home heaven.

Real Estate Laws are Kind in Houston

Not everything is necessarily bigger in Texas. For instance, Texas laws are extremely welcoming of first-time home buyers and other potential investors.

Any Houston houses for sale that you may like the look of will benefit from these laws, providing any prospective buyers with future peace of mind.

Buying a Home in Houston is a Good Investment

The favorable tax rates that new homeowners and home investors may receive don’t just end at suburban places either. Businesses from all around the United States are flocking to Texas to enjoy those very same tax benefits.

These industries will continue to grow and influence the overall economy, which in turn, will drive the prices of the places surrounding them upwards. Whatsmore, a better economy and real estate market mean better schools, jobs, and wages.

The Sugar Land Factor

Sugar Land in downtown Houston has grown and developed into a beacon of prosperity for commerce, innovative technology companies, and employment opportunities.

These developments have caught the attention of Ecolab industry titans like Nalco Champion, who have chosen Houston as the home of their $45 million research and development facility.

With a recent large stadium that can hold over 6,000 people being built, and corporations like UnitedHealthcare settling into Houston, these opportunities will only continue.

Big City Opportunities With Quiet Suburban Streets

These new businesses, industries, and retail expansions have brought several benefits to Houston and Texas as a whole. However, the noise and bustle of a large-scale development like Sugar Land aren’t for everyone, especially when it comes to finding a quiet first home to settle down and potentially raise a family.

One of Houston’s most endearing features is its range of homes for every kind of first-time buyer. Do you want the big city opportunities but can’t stand the idea of living in such a highly populated place? No problem! The quiet, suburban neighborhood dream is still there, with many homes within driving distance of these wonderful facilities but far enough away to give you the best of both worlds.

It is not a secret that pollution has increased in the last few decades. Many plants, animals, and ecosystems have been damaged due to overconsumption. The good news is that although we still have much to improve, we have seen a global effort to help the planet.

This global movement is making a difference. Today, governments and many non-profit organizations work with government relations Calgary firms like Podium Inc., to achieve sustainable development and net zero emission goals. These goals are focused on building a greener future, but the truth is that this objective is impossible to achieve without a collective effort.

Ordinary people, regardless of age, sex or race, have the future of the planet in their hands; small individual efforts will make great global change possible.

Here are three ways to build a more sustainable future.

Wild Energy

By definition, Wild Energy is energy that is generated as close as possible or even at the point where it will be consumed. This type of energy is wildlife-friendly.

Choosing wild energy instead of fossil fuel is one way to slow climate change, protect the ecosystem and, of course, save wildlife. Daily applications of wild energy would be charging EV from solar panels or heating a home with air source heat pumps. These are little things that make big changes.

Eco-Friendly Homes

Home is an excellent place to start a more sustainable life, and it can involve more than just eating less meat. You make your home eco-friendly by building from non-toxic materials and reducing its carbon footprint. Respecting the environment around the home at trying to be energy-efficient are all great ways to create an eco-friendly home.

You can also convert your existing home into an eco-friendly home, from charging EVs from solar panels to switching to LED bulbs because they are more energy-efficient. You could also install smart sensors for lights, which will help with energy savings.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

This is a very popular phrase known as the 3 R’s. With a population that grows every year, the world’s rate of overconsumption is rising, too. Billions of tons of garbage are produced worldwide, and the increase in population increases the amount of garbage.

Reduce, reuse and recycle are simple ways to build a greener future daily:

● Reduce: Avoid consumerism and buy only what is necessary.

● Reuse: Give a second chance to use goods and reuse things as much as possible.

● Recycle: If a good is no longer usable, recycle it.

Some ideas to follow the three R’s would be purchasing bags made from recycled plastic bottles that you can use to take your groceries home from the store. You can keep a pickle jar when you’re finished and use it to store something else or go to a bulk store where you can purchase your food without plastic.

By doing these things, there can be a decrease in emissions of greenhouse gasses and water pollutants. There is no doubt that the time for change is today so that mankind can leave a more habitable planet for the next generations. This is possible, but it will require effort on everyone’s part. Building a greener future is in our hands.