There may be two feet of snow on the driveway outside and an icy blast rushing through the window, but who cares if it’s warm inside? Or at least, if it looks warm inside. While it’s true that good heating is essential for anyone surviving a cold winter, sometimes feeling warm can be psychological, and using a few techniques to create warmth in your house can work wonders.

Use warm colors – Think carefully when choosing the color scheme for your home, as warm colors really do create the sensation of warmth in a house. Stay away from blues and purples, as they are best used in warmer climates and think about oranges, reds, golds, and browns. Don’t worry; it doesn’t have to be garish. If strong colors aren’t your thing, then use a warm and subtle base color, like taupe or beige, and combine with a darker, more vibrant accent color. Check out paint sample catalogs, as they will show you the color ranges that work well together.

Get organized – No one likes cleaning up, well not many of us do. But if you want to create a feeling of warmth, it’s essential that you learn to cut out the clutter from your home. Crowded rooms can be hectic and stressful, which is far from the feeling of warm and cosy that you’re trying to achieve. You don’t have to create a home fit for a real estate agent website, but being selective over the things you have on display or making better use of your storage space will create a happier space.

Choose a theme – If you can select an appealing theme for your home, you’ll go a long way to creating a warm and cosy environment. Whether you’re into minimalistic or you like a pastels and floral patterns, choose a theme and stick with it throughout your house. Pay attention to the details. Bowls of potpourri in the bathroom, candles, stencilling, or even items that you pick up while traveling, go a long way to making your space more cosy. Just remember not to get carried away (see above).

Invest in quality materials – Especially when it comes to your fabrics. Throws and rugs are an easy and effective way of not only covering up stains and flaws in your floors and furniture, but they build in warmth and make you want to sit on your sofa or snuggle up on the carpet. If it’s really cold you can even wrap them around you.

Think about where you put your furniture – Try to reorganize your furniture thinking about the people who use it most. Check out tips from a real estate website design if you’re not sure the best way of putting your combinations together. Bear in mind that lining chairs up against walls looks hostile and try to pair your chairs together, so that they face each other and encourage conversation.

Build warmth into your home slowly and keep things ordered. And if there’s a blizzard on your hands, then be sure to turn up the thermostat, invest in some quality insulation for your doors and windows and take a hot bath.

Michael Peggs is the founder of content marketing agency and SEO agency Marccx Media, where they specialize in SEO and Content Marketing. Before Marcxx, Peggs worked at Google in business development, forming digital media and advertising partnerships. He is also a blogger and podcaster, hosting the iTunes Top 10 New & Noteworthy podcast You University – The Personal Branding Podcast.