Winter in Reno has a way of settling in quietly. One day it’s crisp but manageable, and the next you notice frost tracing patterns on your window. It’s beautiful, in its own way, though it also makes you think a little more about how to stay warm without turning your apartment into a miniature sauna. Many Reno apartments are built with colder seasons in mind, but there are still a few things you can do to make winter feel less harsh and a bit more comfortable.

At Fifteen51, the spaces already offer a good foundation—modern layouts, natural light, and thoughtful design choices that help your home feel warmer than the temperature might suggest. Still, winter has its own personality here, and preparing for it can make your apartment feel more inviting for the months ahead.

Let Lighting Do Some of the Work

Natural light becomes a luxury in winter. It shifts quickly throughout the day, but even catching a few extra minutes of it in the morning can make the entire apartment feel warmer. If your layout has large windows, like many at Fifteen51, keep the blinds open when the sun is out and let that soft warmth inside. It’s subtle, almost too subtle to notice at first, but it does help.

As daylight fades earlier, warm-toned lighting can transform the space. Lamps instead of overhead fixtures, layered lighting instead of a single bright source — these choices add a sense of comfort. You might not think of lighting as energy-efficient, but using low-wattage bulbs or LEDs allows you to keep your apartment feeling cozy without using much electricity.

Simple Insulation Fixes That Make a Difference

Insulation sounds like a major project, but in an apartment, it often comes down to small details. Placing a draft stopper at the bottom of your door is surprisingly effective. Curtains with a little weight to them help, too — they block out cold air at night and add a soft layer of insulation.

Windows are usually the first place you feel a temperature drop. If there’s even the slightest draft, a removable weatherstripping tape can help seal things without damaging the frame. It’s one of those small tasks that takes less than ten minutes but changes how the entire room feels. You might wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.

Make the Most of Your Heating

Heating systems work best when they’re not fighting with your furniture. It sounds obvious, but if a couch or large chair is blocking a vent, warm air can’t circulate the way it should. A quick rearrangement—perhaps not even a permanent one—can help your space heat more evenly.

And while it’s tempting to turn the thermostat up higher when it’s cold outside, keeping it at a consistent temperature often uses less energy overall. A sweater, a thick pair of socks, or a layered blanket can make that middle-ground setting feel surprisingly comfortable.

Cozy Layers Go a Long Way

Even in modern Reno apartments, winter feels better when there’s texture—soft rugs, thicker bedding, throw blankets you can reach for without thinking. They warm a room visually and physically. Rugs especially help insulate floors, which can lose more heat than you’d expect.

There’s something reassuring about walking across a soft rug on a cold morning. It’s small, but these small comforts start to shape how you experience winter at home.

Take Advantage of Community Spaces

Sometimes the best way to save energy is to spend part of your day in shared areas. The amenities at Fifteen51 give residents spaces to study, work, or unwind without relying entirely on their in-unit heating. If you spend a morning in the lounge or an evening in a warm common area, your apartment uses less energy overall—and you still feel comfortable.

It’s a balance. Winter encourages flexibility, and shared spaces can help you move through colder days without feeling stuck inside.

Winter at Home: Finding What Works

Living in Reno during winter can feel peaceful once you settle into your own rhythm. Some days you’ll want to wrap yourself in blankets and stay close to the heater, while others might lead you outside to watch the snow on the mountains before heading home again.

Keeping your apartment warm and energy-efficient isn’t about making dramatic changes. It’s about small adjustments that add up — the kind you barely notice after a week or two because they’ve quietly become part of your routine. And when your space starts to feel warmer, calmer, more lived-in, winter suddenly feels a little easier to appreciate.