I love living in Wisconsin, but I have to admit, I don’t look forward to the long winters. Last year Old Man Winter was in a particularly bad mood, and I expect more of the same this year.
The Old Farmer's Almanac is calling for less snow this year than average, which is good. But it’s also predicting lower than normal temperatures, which isn’t at all what I want to hear.
I’ve lived in Wisconsin all my life, and I can put up with the cold with the best of them, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it when the cold gets extreme! A nice, bracing cold is one thing; a bitter cold that leaves you wanting only one thing—to get inside—is another story.
However, there is an upside to being chased indoors by the cold—you get that great snug feeling that comes with being warm and safe inside while the cold wind and snow is howling outside. You know what I’m talking about; you come in the door and the heat snuggles you like a toasty blanket. It’s a feeling that really makes you thankful for the home you have!
Hardwood floors can play a big role in creating that warm look.
Interior design also has a lot to do with that comfy feeling. Some homes just look warm, and that makes you feel warm. When I talk to people about what they like in hardwood floors, I often hear “warmth.” There’s nothing cold and sterile about the look of hardwood floors; their natural tones innately create an inviting, cozy atmosphere.
Think about the idyllic image of a family sitting around the Christmas tree on a cold December night with a fire roaring in the fireplace and the dog lounging in front of it. If you’re like me, that image includes hardwood floors. Of all types of flooring, they have the best character to complement such a cheerfully warm scene.
Dark-colored hardwood floors tend to create more cozy feels than light-colored floors—and sheen, texture, board size, and other hardwood floor characteristic can be selected to create a warmer look. But all types of hardwood flooring will contribute to a sense of coziness in the cold winter months. That’s just what hardwood floors do.
If you’re dreading the short winter days, the biting cold, and cabin fever, you can take some of that dread away with hardwood floors that add a little warmth to the winter.
Photo courtesy of Lana Tomaszewski, Don McCullough. Available under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
