Preparing your home for the winter: Practical tips from leading experts

As Israel moves to wintertime, it's time to get your home ready. Leading lifestyle brands, Vardinon and Naaman, offer practical tips for organizing bedding, towels, bathrooms, and kitchen cabinets.

By WALLA! HOME, DESIGN

OCTOBER 22, 2024 10:04

Folding towels (photo credit: INGIMAGE) — Folding towels

(photo credit: INGIMAGE)

On the night between October 26-27, 2024 (Saturday to Sunday), Israel will switch to wintertime. With cooler nights and comfortable daytime temperatures, it’s the perfect moment to tackle a task many of us dread—organizing the house for the winter season. Don’t limit your preparations to just clothing; it's essential to also organize your kitchen, bedding, and bathroom in time for the colder months.

To make the organization process easier, more efficient, and enjoyable, leading lifestyle brands Vardinon and Naaman have put together some practical, easy-to-follow tips.

Organizing Bedding and Towels

Vardinon, Jersey mix and match bedding (credit: TAMMY BAR SHAY)

1. If your bedding is stored in a drawer, avoid stacking them on top of each other. Instead, stand them upright to make it easier to access the ones at the bottom. If you don't have a bedding drawer or your wardrobe is full of clothes, consider getting a dedicated storage cabinet for your linens and towels. A slim utility cabinet can save space and work perfectly.

2. There are two main ways to organize bedding: by sets or by category. If organizing by sets, place each complete set inside one of its pillowcases, helping save space and keeping everything together. If you prefer organizing by category—sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases in separate piles—you might want to mix and match so that everything you pull out of the closet matches.

3. It's a good idea to periodically sort through your towels and refresh your stock. Store towels by category: bath towels in one place, hand/face towels in another, and guest towels in the guest room.

4. Folding towels can either be done in stacks or by rolling them. Rolling is convenient for quickly grabbing a towel from the shelf. Fold the towels in halves or quarters, depending on their size and the depth of your shelf, and then roll them—just like in hotels.

Organizing the Bathroom

Furry bath mat, Vardinon - NIS 99.90 (credit: TAMMY BAR SHAY)

There’s nothing quite like a warm and cozy shower in the winter. Properly preparing your bathroom for the cold season will enhance your bathing experience and extend the pampering feeling even afterward. Here's what the experts from Vardinon and Naaman recommend:

1. After a shower, you might find yourself shivering from the cold. One way to combat this is by investing in bathrobes that fully cover and keep you warm after stepping out of the shower.

2. A quick way to warm up your bathroom is by installing a good heater. Turn it on before you shower, and within minutes, you’ll have a cozy space waiting for you.

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3. A towel warmer is a fantastic addition to your bathroom. Place your towel on it before you shower, and you’ll enjoy a warm, fluffy towel when you're done. This adds a touch of luxury while also making the towel more effective at drying you.

4. Cold bathroom floors can be unpleasant during the winter. While some use towels as floor mats, they need to be replaced often. Invest in thick, durable bathroom rugs that keep your feet warm and last through multiple uses.

Organizing the Kitchen Cabinets

1. Struggling to find space for all your pots and lids? Stack pots by size and store lids separately. If the lids tend to slide, place a divider inside the drawer. Pans should also be stacked, with a cloth or paper towel placed between them to avoid scratches.

2. Follow the "most used, most accessible" rule. Frequently used pots, pans, utensils, and spices should be stored within easy reach. Hosting sets or fine dinnerware that you only use during holidays can be stored in upper cabinets.

3. Store wooden spoons and cooking tools in the drawer below the stove for easy access while cooking. If you don’t have such a drawer, place them in a utensil holder on the counter next to the stove.

4. Consider using collapsible silicone containers for efficient drawer storage. These containers fold down to a third of their size and can be stacked. Transparent glass or plastic containers are great for organizing the pantry. For better use of space, opt for square or rectangular storage containers, as they fit shelves and drawers more effectively.

5. We all have a kitchen drawer filled with random items—scissors, rubber bands, bag clips, and other odds and ends. Organize these items into small baskets or use dividers to keep the drawer tidy.