11 Things You Need to Get Your Apartment Ready for Cold Weather
The time of year has come where our radiators get turned on, we bust out the storm windows and layering before you step out of your house is necessary. Bring your winter coats to the dry cleaners ASAP, because snowy stuff is right around the corner. The colder it gets outside, the less likely you'll want to venture out in the frozen tundra (and probably end up ordering too much takeout). That's why you need to get your home front ready for nights inside for the chilly months to come.
1. Blankets Made for Couch Coziness: You’ll be spending most nights Netflix and chilling because the weather outside will be for-real frightful. Extra throws are a must, so why not have one with designs that will make your couch pop? This Dusen Dusen Stripe Throw Blanket ($180) fits the bill.
2. Boot Tray to Protect Your Floors From Slush: Who said that boot trays have to be boring and all rubbery? This signedandnumbered Reclaimed Wood Boot Tray ($75) is an Etsy gem that protects your floors from harsh salts and yucky snow while still looking rustic and modern. It’s a total find.
3. Tech-Friendly Slow Cooker for Ready-Whenever Meals: Slow Cookers are one-pot meal saviors year round, but especially during the winter when chilis, soups and hearty meals are on weekly menu rotation. Make winter living even easier this year with one that connects wirelessly to your phone. This high-tech slow cooker lets you control its temperature and cooking time while you’re on the go, aka shoveling snow for your car.
4. An Anything-but-Boring Duvet: The brightness of your summer bedroom doesn’t have to go away once the clocks change. Bring the breezy, chill vibes to the bedroom with an airy duvet, like the Wandering Star King Size Duvet Set ($240). This beaut is hand printed and fair trade, and gets softer after every wash, which makes your bed — or anywhere the duvet touches — the ultimate comfort zone.
5. Not Your Mother’s Humidifier: Gone are the days of the giant, bulky humidifiers of our childhood (who has the space for that in their apartment anyway?). Snag a more modern option like this small but effective 11+ Bottle Humidifier ($90). This eco-friendly gadget works great in any bedroom-sized room, not just practically, but also decor-wise — it’ll completely blend into your scheme thanks to its sleek design — and is easily recharged via a USB port.
6. Chic Storage for Winter Accessories: Too many gloves, hats and scarves get lost through your house over the cold months when you need them most. This season, keep them all together in this cute, easy-to-move Eliza Gran Pom Pom Venice Basket ($88). When it’s time to stash the cold layers, use the catchall for other organizational needs — it might be the prettiest laundry basket we’ve ever seen or a really next-level planter.
7. Mugs for All of the Hot Drinks: With tea, coffee, cider, mulled wine and hot chocolate all considered sippable on the daily, there’s ALWAYS the need for more mugs every winter. We love these lightweight Unison Splatter Enamel Mugs ($12) that will be easy to stash, are un-crackable and look ready for a campfire (or, better yet, a fireplace hang sesh).
8. Next-Level Teas for That Pot: Face it, you’re a little sick of the typical peppermint, green or earl grey tea you’re so used to. Plus, that coffee shop around the corner will seem light years away once it gets below zero. Step your home tea game up by trying this Kombucha Brooklyn Tea Sampler ($12) variety pack sure to please roomies and holiday guests alike.
9. (Faux) Furry Rug by Your Bedside: Sick of the rude awakening of your toes hitting the cold floor when you (reluctantly) try to get out of bed or bare skin touching the cold metal parts of a chair? Add this Urban Outfitters Faux Sheepskin Shaped Rug ($49) to your place to make your difficult mornings a little fluffier.
10. A Stylish Doormat for Boot Stompin’: During dark winter times, it’s nice to have a bit of color at your doorstep. Switch out the old boring doormat for this Hello There Doormat ($25). It even greets your shoe-wiping guests for you!
11. Slippers, Duh: Nothing is better in winter than kicking off your boots and immediately throwing on the coziest of slippers, and these Woolrich Felt Mill Scuff Slippers ($35) are sure to please. These fleecey wonders are so comfy you might almost walk out the door in them (but don’t!).
What are your must-have winter home accessories? Tell us about your faves in the comments!