The kitchen is the heart of the home and can be one of the warmest rooms in the house due to cooking. An effective heating system will make it that extra cosier throughout the winter months. You want to make the space comforting if you have hard, cold floors and chilly external walls.
Let’s make your space feel toasty and inviting in the winter months with these different heating options.
Add a classic radiator
The most common way of heating a room is with a radiator. They come in many different shapes, sizes and colours these days, allowing you to fit them into small awkward spaces and create focal points with their bright hues. Some kitchens don’t have a lot of space, so this could be a perfect choice, but if you do have the space, make a statement with a striking designer radiator. Sleek, upright radiators look the part and fit neatly onto a narrow section of wall. They blend seamlessly within the design and prevent obstructing a walkway into the room when they are set in the wall which gives off a perfect finish.
When choosing and purchasing your radiator you need to check how much heat you will need. Find the British Thermal Unit online and calculate the requirement for the room.
The radiator needs to ensure that the space is heated up correctly. Think about what area of the kitchen is used the most. If you have an open-plan room think about installing a radiator near to the seating area like the dining table. It will certainly keep you nice and toasty while enjoying the perfect meal with friends and family.
Use a plinth heater to keep those toes toasty
Plinth heaters are great to say goodbye to cold toes. You can make the perfect morning brew with toasty toes. Think about where you stand the most in the kitchen, for example, the kitchen sink or hob. They can be built into the plinth of the kitchen design and they are a great way to use dead space and add a little extra warmth to the hub of the home.
Warm up the floor with underfloor heating
Underfloor heating is very popular in the home today and it’s the most efficient way to heat up a room and of course the floor. This feature warms up the entire area from the ground up that allows the warm air to rise gradually. Underfloor heating will take the chill off your cold floor and will reduce the number of radiators you will need in your kitchen area. The wall space is also freed up and a more minimalistic approach is conquered. It also offers lots of advantages, with being invisible and a plus in smaller kitchens.
The two types of underfloor heating
Wet Systems
This runs off the central heating and is more effective, efficient and runs on a low running cost.
Electric Systems
They are made up of a thin mat that is laid onto the subfloor before the flooring is laid on top. It can be more expensive to run, but will certainly take the edge off a cold floor.
This type of heating system is suitable for most floor coverings including ceramic tiles, wood and laminate, but make sure you check before you purchase your new flooring. Solid wood is a no-go, however, engineered wood is a great alternative. You want to choose something with a good thermal conductor as this will be effective and allow the heat to flow through.
Add a range cooker
An AGA in a kitchen looks amazing and is a constant source of heat. Research them fully before purchasing one as they are expensive and can have an impact on your home and cooking. Many AGA owners swear by them and will tell you that they can’t imagine life without one. They certainly will help to warm up a cold kitchen during the winter months and look stunning amongst the units, as they come in many different sizes, colours and styles.
Use as much natural light as possible
The sun is certainly a great source of light to add to the kitchen as well as add warmth. Introduce a roof light, internal windows or external double-glazed door to bring the warm rays into your hub of the home.
Draughts
You may have invested in a good heating system but your kitchen may still feel a bit nippy. Have you ever thought about draughts? Old windows are certainly beautiful and can be a feature of the kitchen space, but sometimes they don’t offer great insulation. If you’re lucky enough to have a door out into the garden you will need to make sure that its fit and quality is fit for purpose as it may affect the thermal properties. Install some draft proofing strips to improve the seal, or even replace the door.
Add blinds and curtains to the windows and doors
Add good-quality thick curtains of a Roman blind to block draughts. Adding thermal lining to the windows and doors will enhance the insulation properties and provide you with a warm and cosy kitchen as well as a space that oozes style.
A fireplace
A wood-burning stove in the kitchen can give you a good source of heating, as well as be an attractive focal point. If you do however decide to install this you will have to factor in building regulations and requirements. The kitchen will need to be properly ventilated too, so please ask a professional.
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