Experts explain: How to prepare your home for winter without major renovations

As winter begins, the home calls for adjustments that provide protection, warmth, and practicality. The good news is that preparing a home for winter doesn’t require a major renovation—sometimes it’s about small, precise changes that make a significant difference, experts explain.

“Before addressing the decorative layers, it’s important to consider the infrastructure that supports the home,” says Kobi Ronen, manager of a network in the Negev Group. According to him, windows that aren’t properly sealed allow moisture to enter and create a feeling of cold that directly affects the room’s design. “It’s recommended to check gaskets, tracks, and joints. Proper sealing provides not only protection but also thermal stability, which influences the entire look of the home.”

Ronen also recommends checking balconies, roofs, and exterior walls. “Moisture that starts outside will quickly reach the inside, so it’s important to ensure sealing is intact before adding winter decorative layers.”

In addition, it’s important to make sure that air conditioning and heating systems are working properly. “Heating that doesn’t function correctly not only creates discomfort—it changes how the space is used altogether,” he explains. “Cleaning filters, checking the thermostat, and inspecting electric boilers are simple actions that allow all other decorative elements to function properly.”

Interior designer Noa Cooperman explains that one of the most noticeable changes in a home during winter is switching to richer, softer textiles. “Textiles are a key tool for creating warmth and immediately changing the atmosphere,” she says.

Her recommendations include thick, dense rugs that add a layer of insulation and create a cozy feeling, curtains that help block the cold, down blankets and natural-fiber cushions, and dark or deep-colored layers.

Lighting also plays a central role. “One of the most effective ways to bring warmth into a space is switching to lighting in warm tones, using side lamps, fabric lampshades, and indirect lighting,” Cooperman explains. “Bright, cold light emphasizes the chill outside in winter. In contrast, warm, deep light creates a sense of coziness.”

The home’s entryway is the place that experiences winter first, with coats, umbrellas, and wet shoes. Cooperman recommends smart solutions such as an accessible and attractive coat rack, a bench for shoes, and strong lighting.

Wardrobes also receive seasonal attention: “Reorganizing, removing summer clothes and storing them, and bringing in winter layers is a simple action that creates order and helps spaces feel organized and comfortable for the season.”