The $19 Ikea solution to staying warm this winter without soaring power bills

It's the décor piece that adds a finishing touch to a room, some privacy and shade from bright sunlight.

But when you choose a curtain with one particular feature, it'll not only make your space look stunning, it'll also make it feel much warmer and cosier in winter.

The detail you need to look for is "block-out" and it can really help keep cold air out and warm air in.

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That means the warmer the room feels, the less you'll need to crank the heater up and that will help keep your power bill from soaring thsi winter.

"I think people underestimate how important it can be," Amy Hare, Ikea interior design lead tells 9honey Living.

Block-out curtains are incredibly affordable too, starting at $19 for the Bengta, which comes in three colours.

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Size is important when choosing a block-out curtain and it's not just so the product fits your window frame.

"You've also got to ensure that it runs ceiling to floor if possible, and it goes further than the reach of the window on either side to really trap that cold air on the outside to really help insulate your space," Hare says.

For extra cosy vibes, a rug is another important addition. Like curtains it's both a visual reminder of comfort and warmth as well as an added layer of insulation.

It's no surprise then that this winter Ikea's Vindum rug, which costs $199, measures 170cm x 230cm and comes in white and green, has been a top-seller.

And just like selecting a curtain, size is important. Most of us have had that frustration of buying a rug only for it to either not fit the space or look wrong alongside large pieces of furniture, so Hare has some tips to get it right the first time.

"I think we've all been a victim of that at one point or another," Hare laughs.

"If it's in a bedroom making sure that you've got a rug that's either big enough to go onto both sides of the beds and around the bed so you don't get your feet cold.

"In the living room, you want to make sure that it's either just under the sofa or a little bit out so that you're never putting your feet on timber floorboards or on tiles.

"Make sure that it is quite generous, that you're not just looking for it to sit under a piece of furniture. It really is there for function and you don't want your feet to be cold this winter."

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