Phoenix winters might not get as cold as up north, but Phoenix residents still experience a chill in the air. Warming up your assisted living apartment — both aesthetically and temperature-wise — can make winter feel more comfortable and help beat the winter doldrums. Try these ideas in your space at LifeStream at North Phoenix.
Cozy blankets and throw pillows on your living room seating add physical and visual warmth. To add to the aesthetics, look for textured items, such as chunky knit blankets or faux fur pillows. You can drape these decorative throw blankets over the backs of couches and chairs to boost the aesthetic warmth. The blankets are easy to grab for warmth when you're feeling chilly. Soft throw pillows also improve the warmth of your seating area.
If you have bare floors, area rugs warm up the floor. Choose a rug with warm colors and inviting patterns to add visual warmth to the room. Soft, warm materials also keep your feet warmer when you walk across bare floors, which can get chilly in the winter. Using rug pads underneath area rugs can keep them from sliding, which can prevent slips and falls.
Changing your bedding for the winter can make you feel warmer when you sleep. Flannel sheets offer softness and warmth and come in various patterns, including designs with warm colors. A down or down alternative comforter with a higher fill power can keep you cozy. Add a throw blanket for extra layering on chilly nights.
Rearranging your furniture to allow more warmth from windows and supplemental heat sources can make your space feel cozier. It allows those heat sources to be more effective in warming up your home. You might also replace wood furniture with upholstered pieces for more warmth. For instance, get an upholstered accent chair to replace a plain wood chair or swap out your wood coffee table with an upholstered ottoman in its place.
Opening your window coverings completely during the day can make your home warmer and more inviting. Natural light is visually pleasing and creates a bright space where you want to spend time. Keeping your blinds open when it's sunny also lets in some natural heat from the sun. Get in the habit of opening your window coverings during the day when it's bright. Closing the window treatments at night when it gets cooler can help trap heat inside your home, especially if you have thermal window coverings.
Adding artificial lighting can give your home a warm look when it's not sunny and bright. Table lamps made with warm materials, such as wood and textured fabric lamp shades, bring in aesthetic warmth. A Tiffany-style lamp with warm stained-glass designs can also help. Use warm light LED bulbs with a color temperature of around 2700K for a warm, inviting glow in your lamps and light fixtures.
Another way to incorporate a warm glow is with LED candles. They use LED lights to create a realistic flame look without any real fire or heat, making them safe to use anywhere. Assisted living communities often prohibit real candles, so this is a safe alternative. You still get the warm glow that comes from a real candle, which makes your space feel more inviting. Place a grouping of flameless LED candles on your dining table, end table or shelf for an aesthetically warm space.
When you live in Phoenix, you get used to the lower humidity, especially in the winter. Running a humidifier not only makes your home feel more comfortable moisture-wise, but it can also help make it feel warmer. The moisture makes your home feel warmer without increasing your thermostat or adding supplemental heating.
Using a space heater can give you extra heat on chilly days. You can often find decorative space heaters, including some that look like small fireplaces, to add visual warmth to your space. If you live in an assisted living community, check on the restrictions for things like space heaters and freestanding fireplaces to ensure you're following the regulations.
Artwork can affect the aesthetics of the room based on the images you choose. Pick an art print that gives you a warm, cozy feeling to hang on your wall. Incorporate photos of warm places, cozy scenes or images of loved ones. Seeing the people you love on your walls can give you a sense of warmth and happiness. A favorite holiday photo of your family sitting in front of a fireplace is the perfect option for winter.
Winter can feel barren and cold, so plants can make your home feel more alive. They also add rich color to your interior to warm it up, and plants humidify the air to help you feel warmer. If you don't want to take care of real plants, you can find many realistic faux plants that look just as good with no work required. Faux plants also work well even in spaces that don't get much natural light.
