How to Maximize Heat in Your Living Spaces

Posted in Home Interior Design Tips

When it comes to home decor, everyone has an opinion about how a room should look. However, certain exceptions are made in the winter when heat sources are factored into the placement of furniture. If you block the vents and fireplace screens with large armoires and sofas, you could be reducing the amount of heat in the room. This can also lead to higher energy bills, since your first inclination will likely be to turn up the thermostat.

Before you turn the dial any higher, consider these three simple tips.

fire burning in the living room fireplaceLocate All Vents

First, identify where all of the vents are in every room. If your home or apartment has vents on the floor, placing a recliner or bookcase over them cuts off the heat source. Don’t place anything over these vents – especially rugs – to avoid a potential fire hazard. You can position couches and chairs near vents, but never block the heat that is escaping to warm the room.

Keep Furniture Away from Fireplaces

Homeowners want their fireplace to do two things: add to the room’s ambiance and produce heat. Similar to the above point, blocking it with a couch or other large piece of furniture defeats the purpose and may lead to an accidental fire. Allow plenty of open space in front of the fireplace and ensure no flammable fabrics are near so sparks and embers don’t cause a fire.

Take Advantage of Natural Sunlight

Another tip is to let sunlight do its job. The weather may be cold outside, but if the sun is shining, you can warm your living spaces by a few degrees by placing furniture near windows. Provided you have the right insulation on your windows, you can enjoy the warmth of the sun without cranking the heat during daylight hours.

This winter, give careful consideration to the layout of furniture in your living spaces to ensure your rooms get the heat they deserve.