As the days shorten and the cold air picks up, our instinct turns inward. We crave warmth, comfort, and a space that feels like a big, welcoming hug. But how do we transform our homes from everyday spaces into cosy winter retreats? The world of tech has a lot to offer! In this guide, we’re sharing 10 ways to make your home warm and cosy. It doesn't need to be a complicated affair, and with some simple tech additions, you can transform your home into a warm, inviting and cosy sanctuary. Staying in on a cold or rainy day won't seem so bad after all!
Our Winter Tech Companions:
- Electric Panel Heater: Olimpia Splendid Range
- Dehumidifier: Olimpia Splendid Aquaria
- Heated Blanket: Beurer HD75
- Smart Wall Plug: Brilliant Wi-Fi Wall Plug
- Temperature Monitor: Xiaomi Monitor Pro
- Heat Pads: Beurer Heat Pads
- Smartlights: Yeelight W3 LED Bulb
- Bluetooth Speaker: Edifier S1000 120W
- Smart Speaker: Amazon Echo Show Range
- Vinyl Player: Sony LX-310 Turntable
Some of the gadgets on this list may not be the first to come to mind for most people but we've got good reasons! Keep reading to find out why we consider them perfect companions for a cosy winter haven.
Electric Panel Heater
Olimpia Splendid Range
If you don’t have a fireplace or heat pump at home, invest in an electric panel heater to keep your space warm and cosy. Rather than using fans to circulate warm air, panel heaters utilise convection. This means they heat up silently and the warm air naturally rises and circulates throughout the room. This provides a gentle, radiant heat that’s more natural and comfortable, perfect for creating a cosy ambiance. Unlike oil heaters, they also offer faster and more consistent heating, and typically have a lower surface temperature - ideal for homes with children or pets.
The Olimpia Splendid Panel Heaters are a great choice. They come in a range of sizes and price ranges to perfectly suit the size of your space and budget. The panel heater's slim design takes up minimal floor space (alternatively, they can be wall mounted) and heats the room efficiently and effectively. Imagine curling up on the sofa with a good book, enveloped in the gentle warmth radiating from the heater. Plus, safety features like tip-over protection and a thermostat give you peace of mind while you relax.
Dehumidifier
Olimpia Splendid Aquaria
Nothing is cosy about a damp home. That’s where a good dehumidifier comes in. In winter, some homes may experience condensation and moisture buildup, leading to dampness, musty smells, mold growth, and even respiratory problems. A dehumidifier removes excess moisture from the air, creating a more comfortable and healthy environment. Plus, moist air requires more energy to heat up, so a dehumidifier can help to create more energy efficiency when heating your home.
For ultimate control over your air, consider the Olimpia Splendid Aquaria Dehumidifier & Purifier. The Aquaria is available in three sizes - 24L (for larger rooms),16L, and 12L (for smaller rooms). It combines dehumidification with the action of an air filter to tackle moisture and air contaminants effectively. It features a temperature and humidity indicator, a timer, speed options, and more. It even has a handy laundry mode to help speed up drying clothes indoors during the winter months.
Heated Electric Blanket
Beurer HD75
For extra cosiness, there's nothing quite like snuggling under a warm blanket. But what if your blanket could actually generate extra warmth? Enter the heated electric blanket. This winter companion takes the edge off the winter chill, allowing you to set the ideal temperature to snuggle up in. By keeping your extremities nice and toasty, they can even help you fall asleep faster and experience a more restful night's sleep.
We love Beurer’s HD75 Heated Electric Blanket. This luxurious blanket boasts a soft, breathable microfleece surface that's snuggly and gentle on your skin. With 6 temperature settings, you can personalize your comfort level and the digital control allows for easy adjustments. Safety is paramount, so the Beurer HD75 features an automatic shut-off function and overheat protection. Plus, the blanket is machine washable (at 30°C) for easy care.
Smart Wall Plug
Brilliant Smart Wi-Fi Wall Plug
While many of the products we’ve mentioned have smart features and timers built-in, a smart plug can turn even basic appliances into a convenient smart item! For example, you could plug an old oil heater (or any space heater) to the smart plug, schedule it to turn on before you wake up, ensuring you wake up to a warm room when you get out of bed. This is a great way to make winter mornings less of a drag! Smart plugs also let you set timers to turn space heaters off automatically at night, providing peace of mind and potentially saving on your energy bill.
Brilliant Smart WiFi Wall Plugs are a popular choice around here. These work with everything - your space heater, humidifier, or even a bedside lamp. Control everything from your smartphone app, scheduling on and off times for ultimate convenience. The Brilliant plugs also work with popular voice assistants, allowing you to control your winter sanctuary with simple voice commands. It makes it as simple as saying, "turn on space heater" without ever leaving your comfy spot!
Temperature Monitor
Xiaomi Temperature & Humidity Monitor
Say you’ve done it all, achievement unlocked: cosy winter haven! How do you maintain that perfect level of warmth and comfort? Here's where a temperature monitor comes in, your secret weapon for effortless cosiness. These handy gadgets allow you to check the temperature in any room of your house from your phone, ensuring every corner of your sanctuary stays toasty warm. Temperature monitors take the guesswork out of heating your home, allowing you to maintain the perfect conditions for a cosy winter abode.
The Xiaomi Temperature & Humidity Monitor or Monitor Pro is a nifty gadget that not only displays the temperature but also monitors humidity levels. With a sleek and compact design, the Mi monitor blends seamlessly into any room. The easy-to-read display shows both temperature and humidity, and it even connects to your smartphone app for remote monitoring and data tracking. Use it alongside smart heaters and/or smart plugs to maintain optimum warmth when the temperature dips below your preferred setting!
Heat Pads
Beurer Heat Pads
Not all winter chills require a whole-room solution! A heat pad can provide targeted warmth and follow you all over the house. Working from your home office on a cold day? A heat pad can keep you comfortably warm, and also soothe any bodily aches and pains at the same time. Heat pads are also perfect for kicking back on the couch with a book, and even offer a haven for pets who feel the winter chill as much as we do.
Beurer’s Personal Heat Pads offer a plush, microfleece surface for snuggly comfort against your skin. These pads feature 3 adjustable heat settings and an automatic shut-off function for safety. Plus, the cover is machine washable for easy care. Another option is the Beurer HK49 Cosy Stomach & Back Heat Pad, which wraps around you, offering a warm cosy hug that’s great for soothing back or abdominal pain too.
Smart Lights
Yeelight W3 LED Bulb
While warm blankets and heaters are essential for a cosy space, don't underestimate the power of warm lighting to create a truly inviting atmosphere. Smart lights are an awesome tool for this. They can create a room bathed in soft, warm light, instantly creating a sense of relaxation and comfort. Smart lights allow you to adjust the brightness and colour temperature, transforming your space from an energising workspace to a calming winter haven with the touch of a button or a voice command. When you swap out your ordinary light bulbs with smart light bulbs, you are also swapping out the starkness of winter for a warm and inviting ambiance that sets the perfect stage for cosy nights in.
The Yeelight W3 Smart Light Bulb is perfect for this. This versatile bulb offers a wide range of colour temperatures, from a bright, cool white for tasks to a warm, inviting amber glow that's perfect for cosy evenings. The RGB option also lets you choose from 16 million colours to fit any scenario. Control it easily with the Mi Home app or even with your voice. The W3 bulbs also have dimming capabilities, allowing you to create the perfect level of soft light for cosy vibes. Plus, with scheduling features, you can set your lights to automatically turn on and off, creating a welcoming ambiance as you arrive home or a gentle fade-out for a peaceful night's sleep.
Bluetooth Speaker
Edifier S1000W 120W Bookshelf Speaker System
To finish it off, make your winter haven a multi-sensory experience with the power of sound! Just like lighting, don't underestimate the power of music or soothing audio to enhance your cosy atmosphere. Even if you don’t have a fireplace in your home, you can still enjoy the soft crackle of a virtual fire filling the air from your Bluetooth speakers. Or perhaps some jazz tunes to create a cosy winter cafe or library ambience is what you’re after? Curate your perfect winter soundscape and let the sounds warm and soothe your soul.
There are plenty of awesome bluetooth speakers around, but for full sound without breaking the bank, we recommend Edifier’s S1000W 120W Bookshelf Speaker System. These speakers boast rich, clear sound that perfectly fills any room, creating a truly immersive experience. But it's not just about the sound quality - the S1000W comes in a stunning classic brown wood finish that exudes warmth and elegance. Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity lets you easily stream your favorite music, audiobooks, or calming fireplace sounds directly from your smartphone or tablet. It even supports Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Alexa, and Tidal.
Smart Speaker
Amazon Echo Show Range
This piece of tech is an alternative to a regular bluetooth speaker or can be used in conjunction! A smart speaker can help you unleash the full potential of your cosy haven! They’re perfect for when you're curled up under a warm blanket, a book in hand, and suddenly, you crave some soothing music or the extra warmth of your smart heater. With a simple voice command, your wish becomes reality. Smart speakers not only play sound and music, but they also offer effortless control over all your other smart home gadgets – lights, heaters, thermostats, dehumidifiers.
For your smart home command center, we recommend checking out the Echo Show range (if audio isn’t a priority for you, you can also check out the Echo Hub). The Echo Show range has a variety of screen sizes to suit your space, from the compact Echo Show 5 to the large Echo Show 10. These smart hubs seamlessly integrate with other Alexa-enabled devices, allowing you to control your other smart devices with simple voice commands. You can also view recipes while cooking, video-call friends and family, or simply enjoy crisp visuals while listening to music.
Vinyl Player
Sony LX-310 Turntable
If you want to turn it up a notch in the sound department, here’s another option to consider. Forget the sterile perfection of digital music. Vinyl players offer a uniquely warm and inviting sound experience, perfect for creating a cosy ambiance. With a steaming mug of hot cocoa, the rich, analog sounds of your favourite vinyl record will fill the room. The subtle crackles and pops of the vinyl become part of the listening experience, adding a touch of nostalgia and warmth that digital music simply can't replicate.
The Sony LX-310 Turntable is a fantastic entry into the world of vinyls. From jazz grooves and classical concertos to pop hits - whatever you select, you'll enjoy the warm smooth vinyl sound, thanks to the turntable’s finely crafted parts and build. The LX-310 is designed in a minimalist style for easy control, with simple one-step auto playback. Additionally, Bluetooth connectivity lets you play your favourite records on your wireless speakers or headphones! You’ll find yourself instantly transported to a world of warm, analog sound – that's the magic the Sony LX-310 brings to your cosy winter nights.
With a few key tech gadgets and a touch of creativity, you can create a space that's both warm and inviting. From the gentle heat of a panel heater to the soft glow of smart lights, each element plays a part in crafting the perfect winter sanctuary. So, embrace the cooler months, curl up with a good book, and let these tech companions create a warm winter haven right inside your own home.
