Winter in Boston (or anywhere with a real winter!) can be brutal. I've always struggled with staying warm indoors without cranking up the thermostat and sending my energy bill through the roof. For years, I wore layers upon layers, but I still felt a chill. I decided to take a more strategic approach to staying warm indoors, and I'm excited to share what I've learned.
I'm pretty frugal, so I tend to keep my thermostat set low. I noticed that even with the sun warming my bedroom during the day, the rest of the house felt pretty cold. I was constantly wearing a hoody and beanie indoors, which helped a little, but I knew there had to be a better way to stay warm indoors. My target temperature was a cozy 64 degrees.
The first thing I realized was that my feet were always cold. I was walking around in socks, and I could feel the heat escaping through the floor. That's when I remembered something my grandmother always said: “Keep your feet warm, and you'll keep your whole body warm.” I started looking for solutions and stumbled upon the idea of wearing moccasins or slippers around the house. This simple change made a huge difference. I found that putting some distance between my feet and the cold floor really helped retain heat. I was surprised at how much warmer I felt overall.
Next, I started paying attention to what I was wearing on my upper body. I noticed that my dad, who's always cold, wears a thick wool cardigan or a fleece-lined flannel shirt jacket. I decided to try something similar. I invested in a comfortable, Irish wool house cardigan. It's surprisingly warm and cozy. It's now my go-to layering piece for staying warm indoors.
I also experimented with wearing a hat to bed. I know it sounds a little strange, but it really helps! I found an Autumn Winter Warm Knit Beanie from WholeCustomDesign Promo that's perfect for keeping my head warm without overheating. It's lightweight and comfortable, and it makes a noticeable difference in how warm I feel overall. Staying warm indoors became significantly easier with this simple addition.
Another great way I found to stay warm indoors without drastically increasing the heat is a heated blanket. On especially cold days, I wrap myself in it while I'm reading or watching TV. It's like being enveloped in a warm hug! The localized warmth is incredibly effective.
Finally, I analyzed what I was wearing on my lower body. I realized that my thin sweatpants weren't cutting it. I switched to wearing jeans and thick wool socks. I even invested in a pair of wool clogs. The combination of these items keeps my legs and feet incredibly warm. For affordable and stylish options, I often browse Wholecustomdesign for inspiration.
Here are some practical tips that I've learned for staying warm indoors during the winter: