With expensive heating and stingy roommates, you’re probably looking for alternative ways to stay warm this winter. Let us relight your fire (figurately) with these inventive ways to stay warm in your freezing student house…

Here are some OBVIOUS ways that you just have not tried yet.

Use a hot water bottle

It seems like something so simple, and yet it’ll make a big difference to how you’re feeling. Carefully fill a hot water bottle while you’re relaxing in your room or take it with you to bed and let it work its magic. Just remember to use a cover for it so you don’t scold yourself!

Hot drinks are a MUST

We know you needed an excuse to drink more tea or coffee, so here it is! Winter practically comes with a requirement to carry a hot drink with you at all times, especially when you’re a student in a freezing cold student house. Do your part for your housemates and become the designated tea maker – they’ll love you forever.

Do some baking

Take a (much deserved) break from studying and bake some cookies with your friends. Not only will this warm you up, due to the heat coming from the oven and the fact that you’ll be mixing, measuring, and generally moving around, but you’ll also end up with some tasty hot food at the end. Really a win-win situation! 

Another top tip is to leave the oven slightly open when you’ve finished to let the excess heat escape into the house and warm you up.

Clean the house

Let’s be honest, the house probably needs cleaning anyway, and now is as good a time as any. Plus, you get the added benefit of staying warm. It’s either this or actual exercise, so take your pick.

Block Out Draughts

The best way to keep your home warm without turning up the heating is to stop the current heat from escaping. Keep doors and windows closed and make sure that they are sealed properly around the edges. Use draught excluders to block gaps at the bottom of doors.

Use Your Curtains

The sun is still out there, even in the winter months, so open your curtains to let the light and natural warmth in. Then, when temperatures drop in the evening, close the curtains to keep the heat inside. The thicker your curtains are, the better they will be at blocking the heat from escaping.

Layering Up

Wearing multiple thin layers is more effective at keeping your body warm than wearing one thick layer. The layers trap air between them which helps to maintain your body heat. Wear long-sleeved tops and trousers to ensure that you are not losing heat through exposed skin. You can even wear hats, scarves, jumpers, and jackets indoors if you feel chilly inside. Keep blankets or throws handy to wrap around yourself or put over your lap if you are sitting down. When you go to bed, layer your covers as well. Even one blanket over your duvet can help.