Malta is the land of sunshine where the beaches are celebrated, but while our summers are rather hot - averaging between 30 - 40 degrees - we do get colder days and, more specifically, wetter days. 

Getting your house winter ready in Malta is quite the ordeal. Out come the duvets, sofa blankets and gas heaters. Some homeowners also turn their water heaters back on, since the water in summer is pretty warm so there’s not much need for a boiler from June till September. Jackets, scarves and hats come out of storage and hot chocolate with marshmallows quickly replaces our iced tea. It’s a long awaited time for locals who’ve put up with the heat for a good five months, and this is how they adapt their homes:

Carpet your living areas

It’s not that it’s super cold in Malta, but everyone enjoys a couple of cosy hours on the sofa when the rain is pelting down. Carpets in your TV room are excellent - they add texture, warmth and colour to the area and they also keep the cold away. Carpets or rugs are also a great addition in the bedroom - morning wake ups needn’t be ultra harsh.

Clean the gutters 

This is something we don’t really consider as important in Malta, but there are plenty of reasons to declutter your drains before the winter starts. Rainfall in Malta is sometimes underestimated - the amount of water that hits our tiny island is quite impressive at times and, should it fall on your clogged up drains, it will definitely cause some sort of puddle on your roof tops. Not good.

Get an extra gas heater 

“It’s not that cold. I don’t think we need a heater this year!” Boy, are you fooling yourself. Yeah, true, that we don’t have snowfall or extreme weather conditions in the winter, but it sure does get cold. Gas heaters are generally the most common form of heating devices used in Malta, but, ultimately, they all do the same thing…keep your house rather toasty.

Check for leaks 

This is not an easy job but it’s probably one of the most important ones. Scan your home or office for any cracks that might let some water in. Water gets through the smallest of cracks and can cause a great amount of damage - membrane should also be checked before the rain starts, or at least treated during the winter. 

Clear out the pool area

The pool area in most villas is left idle during the winter months. Pools are sometimes emptied and all items that may, in some way, remind you of summer are stored away for the next four to five months. It’s odd to see the pool deck with absolutely no outdoor furniture out there but storing them properly will extend their lifespan.

Get your delicate plants indoors

Plants are touchy in this weather. Some might even have a rough time fighting the cold but just keep on fighting for them - there’s a chance that they’ll regenerate in the spring. The best way to protect your plants is to make sure the more delicate ones are moved indoors when the storms hit. Over-watering is one of the major issues you’ll need to look out for. 

Make sure your tumble dryer is in ship shape

Tumble dryers - although not the most eco-friendly - are lifesavers in the winter. It’s a fact known by all locals that drying clothes indoors in Malta during the winter is as impossible as resisting pastizzi after a night on the bottle. The trusty tumble dryer will get your clothes dry and keep them nice and fluffy. Hit the anti-crease and low heat options if they feature on your device - much better!

But just because the temperature has dropped a little, that doesn't mean there’s no chance of outdoor activities. Your best bet would be to keep that BBQ handy, making sure it is not to tucked away with the deckchairs too far into storage. Also, keep the summer hats in easy access - you might need them next weekend.