Last fall, as the weather started to turn from beautiful to bleak, I was sitting in a home we desperately wanted to sell. This year, I'm happily ensconced in my new home in a new city. Both years, though, my mission has been the same:

It's easier than you think to keep your house comfortable and festive. Try any of these simple tricks to make the difference between feeling cool or cozy:

• If you have hardwood, ceramic or other solid-surface flooring, invest in some plush area rugs to help warm up your rooms. Rugs can add not only a cozier feel, they also can add some insulation to your rooms.

• Think slipcovers. If your furniture is floral or light-colored, go toasty with seasonal slipcovers. Try denim or suede imitations or corduroy. This not only warms up the room and your rear end, it also saves wear and tear on your expensive upholstered pieces.

• If you don't want to buy slipcovers, chenille throw pillows are a cozy alternative to bring warmth to your décor. I always drape large throws over the backs of my sofas and chairs so we can easily snuggle up and hunker down.

• Invest in some inexpensive slippers and fuzzy socks. If you typically ask guests (or potential home buyers) to remove their shoes before walking through your house, have some slide-style slippers or heavy socks in a basket at the front door for a toasty alternative to bare feet or those flimsy blue shoe covers the Realtors have.

• Be sure window treatments are insulated. Our new home has several decorative windows, few of which have window coverings at all. While they're made with insulated glass, putting up some heavy, lined drapes will go a long way toward preserving heat inside (and keeping our gas bill lower). Open the curtains during the day when the sun can help heat the house.

• Check window and door seals. Dropping temperatures outside create the perfect environment. Run your hand along every side of your windows and doors, feeling for a draft or cooler change of temperature. You'll want to close those gaps, whether permanently with caulk or other insulation, or temporarily, such as with a decorative bolster made to put at the foot of a door. These leaks may seem minuscule, but they do much more than minor damage to your heating bill each month.

Whether you're moving out or settling in, you probably don't want to go overboard with holiday decorations. The old "less is more" adage is especially true this time of year.

• Some simple strands of white lights atop your windows or archways bring an elegant look.

• A few pine boughs on the dining table or the fireplace mantel help usher in the season.

• A bowl or vase filled with colorful Christmas tree balls is easier than changing the water in flowers every day.

• Finally, choose a small tabletop tree (real or fake) instead of a full-size tree. It's easier to decorate, doesn't require moving furniture, and won't impede any potential buyers coming through the house (or yourselves, if you're still unpacking). It also offers a much-needed festive touch without adding too much clutter.

Published: December 15, 2004

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