How To Keep Warm in a Ridiculously Chilly House (Without Spending a Fortune at Bunnings)

I love my home, but it’s basically a bunch of concrete slabs balanced on top of each other in the shape of a townhouse, and what isn’t made of cement is made of glass. It’s semi open-plan, and I don’t have central heating.

In winter, it can feel a bit like living inside a brutalist fridge. But over time I’ve learnt to improvise, adapt and overcome – stylishly, where possible.

Here’s how I keep myself warm at home, even in the grimmest weather.

Keep cold air out, warm air in – draft stoppers and curtains
Draft stoppers (aka door snakes) are an easy fix for front and back doors – look for monochrome options at discount retailers or homewares stores.

Curtains also do a lot of heavy lifting when it comes to heat retention. While you’ll want to fling them open for a Vitamin D hit whenever possible, weighty drapes in velvet, felt or thick-weave linen over windows will help stop cold air sneaking in.

Past these basic steps, I admit I’ve abandoned the idea of heating whole rooms. All the warm air just escapes up the stairwell, making my second-floor landing very toasty and everywhere else basically an ice box. My main strategy now is heating myself (and my guests) as best I can.

Body heat – portable heaters, merino wool layers and tidying
Portable heaters are key here: you’ll want one that’s powerful and easy to move around. I have a couple of Dyson Hot & Cool numbers that trail about the place as needed – their minimalist looks are unobtrusive, and they come with remote controls so you can easily click them on and off.

Heating yourself also means dressing warmly, which means comfortable layers. Merino wool pieces are favourites, as are fleece-lined leggings (like these ones from Black Milk.) I’ve also learnt to view thick wool socks and Ugg boots as utilitarian classics. On particularly bitter days, I trade up to snow boots.

One more thing? Move. Even five minutes of yoga or tidying (aka extremely light cardio) will bring a little warmth. This is the one time of the year you actually want to do the washing up.

Rugging up
Layered area rugs are the heat heroes in my lounge room – I have a two-tone cheapie topped with a handloomed Turkish rug. This creates a defined cosy lounging space within a much bigger room. My sofa and armchair face onto the carpet so anyone seated has their feet on heavy-pile wool rather than polished concrete.

The double-layer floor rug arrangement is warm enough to sit on directly (and makes yoga mats extra springy when I need to strike a pose). I’ve also got a couple of floor cushions and a vintage leather ottoman for when dinner parties descend into indoor picnic time.

A hotbed of linen (or flannelette)
There’s a science to layering a stylish wintertime bed, and it works on the same basic principle as the draft stoppers and drapes: warm air in, cold air out. Here, the goal is trapping body heat inside snug layers, while balancing warmth with breathability. Literal hot tip: a warm shower before bed is a luxurious way to speed up the process.

Start with a fitted sheet then flat sheet (I like flannelette for its extra cosy feel, but linen and hemp are warm options, too.) Then layer on a loose knit or weave; something with plenty of little spaces to create warm air pockets right next to you as you sleep. A cotton waffle blanket can be a good option here, or a mohair throw. If I’m feeling extra fancy, I’ll sandwich another flat sheet on top of the knit like they do at luxury hotels.

Blankets, doonas, self-care
Next comes a wool blanket: Seljak has some lovely recycled options, and I have a small collection of vintage Australian wool blankets I’ve thrifted over the years. (These are always worth scouting at the op shop.) Then it’s time for a doona on top. Fold down the top third of the doona to create extra cocoon-like volume, or place a decorative throw along the bottom of the bed. (This makes it easier to kick off in the middle of the night if needed.)

I have a plush rug on the floor down my side of the bed so when I swing my feet out in the morning (or for midnight loo runs) there’s something warm to plonk them on. Slippers are nearby, too. As is my sauna blanket – a sleeping-bag-like contraption I use mainly for muscle and joint pain. (Here’s one similar to my model.) As an added bonus it heats up hugely during use, so now I do my sauna sessions on the bed to warm my mattress – just like a giant hot water bottle.

A cosy kitchen – upholstered seats, radiant heat and hot toddies
I learnt a long time ago that you can’t live in a Pinterest board – and most of the time function trumps form. Case in point: I used to have very stylish cantilevered steel-frame chairs around my kitchen table. Then I realised how great they were at conducting Antarctic levels of cold up from the concrete floor and swapped them out for bentwood chairs with upholstered seats. A much cosier option.

The same cold creeps its way into everything made of glass, ceramic and metal – which is basically everything I eat on and with. Since no-one likes an icy plate, I preheat mine in the oven or microwave before dishing up. (This also helps food stay warm longer.)

One last tip? Make the most of warm air when and where you have it. When the oven’s on, I decamp to the kitchen whenever possible to make the most of radiant heat. This can mean popping my laptop on the kitchen table during workdays, or setting out grazing plates on the kitchen counter when people are over for dinner.

If all else fails, there’s always a hot toddy. Linger over the stove top while it simmers, then throw back a dram to ward off the worst of the winter cold.

A warm welcome
Keeping visitors warm is a priority. Next to my couch is a large wooden storage box filled with throws that can be handed out to guests. There’s also a lush velvet blanket – very like this one from Citta – that I hog when I’m home alone.

When a chill does creep in, heat pillows are a go-to. These ones from Salus are scented with lavender and jasmine. And while it’s mostly psychological, I also rate a warmly scented candle for added cosy vibes. This Firedoor collab with The Raconteur is a smoky-fragranced fave.