There is no better way to welcome the cold months ahead than to turn up the heating, curl up in a soft blanket by the fireplace and enjoy your favorite indoor leisure activities. Once you are done with seasonal decluttering, add a note of warmth and comfort to your living area with the help of a few snug accessories that combine aesthetics with functionality. Do not know where to start? Here are some convenient tips on how to revamp the decor with a few inexpensive modifications and turn your home into a lovely spot for relaxation and enjoyment in the face of the cold outside.

Off with the chilling view: Cover your windows

Most homes leak heat like sieves, windows being one of the main culprits for energy loss and sky-high electricity bills. To trap warmth indoors, use rich, heavy drapery and other window coverings: this simple trick will prove a rewarding investment in terms of lower energy waste, added privacy from gossip mongering neighbors and improved room look. If you are not a big fan of lavish drapery, you can install custom blinds and shades that will allow you to weatherproof your home, keep out nosy peepers and protect the rooms from intense sunlight come spring and summer.

Put your foot down and enjoy it: Add soft, colorful carpets 

Another aspect of your home that may use a little tender, love and care, floors will both look and feel better if you shod them with soft carpeting this winter. Elegant, thick rugs in either monochromatic designs or bold color combinations will provide an extra layer of insulation and add visual interest to your living area decor. When choosing new carpeting, avoid brash tones, go for soft, full carpets and make sure you match the floor cover color scheme to the rest of the décor (single-tone rugs and carpets with tastefully contrasted colors will work well in most settings).

Colors of windy weather: Use warm tones for comfort

Warm colors such as red, brown and gold will help create a cozy atmosphere indoors so in case your home is lacking in visual warmth, you can add details in one (or more) of these tones to liven up the room feel. Warm-colored knit motifs such as cushion covers, blankets and sofa throws will prove both a functional and appealing addition to your living room. Or, you can use ornaments and functional accessories such as brown, yellow or orange scented candles, golden mirror frames, red or coffee-colored jewelry boxes and lacquered wicker baskets to achieve the inviting look.

Light that shines through cold nights: Use candles and dimmer switches

Winter nights filled with the sounds of raging blizzards and stormy winds outside can truly be daunting. Do away with the common cold and creepy monsters that lurk in the night with the help of a subtle flicker of tea candles and dimmer lights. While scented candles offer an inexpensive and efficient way to add a little warmth to your home, dimmer switches and dimmable bulbs provide an endlessly customizable source of light for rooms which require different lighting for special occasions or different times of day.

Is your home ready for yet another winter fairytale? Follow these simple tips and add a note of warmth to your living area without breaking the bank. Remember: a home that feels cozy is the one which blends function and visual interest. If your house is lacking in the latter of the two, now is the best time to do something about it, before snow and freezing temperatures come knocking on your door and lock you in until springtime.

This article was written by Zoe Clark. Zoe is an environmentalist, home decorator and DIY enthusiast. When not obsessing about designing perfect homes, she is spending time with her family.