The benefits of a good night’s sleep can’t be overstated, but cold temperatures in winter can easily prevent us from having the rest we need. We’ve put together some tips on how to keep your bed warm in winter.
1. Carefully choose your duvet thickness and tog rating
When considering how to keep your bed warm in winter, the first place you should look is your duvet. The thickness of a duvet is defined by its tog rating - as a general rule, the higher the tog rating of a duvet, the thicker and warmer the duvet should be.
Different tog values are best for each season, and we recommend a tog rating of around 4.5 for a summer duvet and 9 for a cosy winter duvet - particularly if you are choosing a natural duvet rather than a synthetic one.
Some people choose an even higher tog rating than this for winter, but this can run the risk of you overheating or feeling uncomfortable, even in the cold months! Therefore, we find it’s often best to opt for a lower tog and layer with blankets that you can remove if needed.
There are also duvets that can be tied together to create additional insulation when needed during the coldest winter months but also work as individual duvets when the weather is milder.
2. Consider the materials used in your bedding
As well as the thickness of the duvet, the material that it is made from can affect how well you can keep warm at night. A cotton duvet casing will help you to keep warm in winter because it traps air and makes your duvet a better insulator.
Goose down and feathers are some of the warmest fillings for duvets and comforters so are a great option for winter, as well as duck feathers which create a plump and airy duvet for keeping warm at night. Wool duvets are also very effective in the winter (and all year round) because of the way they trap air when you need it and disperse it when you don’t.
3. Opt for a natural mattress
As well as having the right materials over you when trying to keep your bed warm in winter, it is also important to consider the materials underneath you. The comfier you are in bed, the easier you will find it to fall asleep even in colder temperatures, and the most important factor for comfort is your mattress.
Mattresses can be made with natural fibres such as lambswool, cashmere or mohair for a firmer, denser feel or pocket sprung for a springier feel. Mattresses made from cheaper synthetic materials are often not breathable, but a mattress made from natural materials can better regulate your body temperature and keep you comfortable throughout the night even in winter.
4. Try layering with extra throws and blankets
As well as choosing the right natural duvet, another way to keep your bed warm in winter is to layer up with extra throws or blankets. This will help to trap the rising air and your body heat, keeping you warmer while you sleep. Then, if you do find yourself getting too warm during the night, you can simply remove the blankets to cool down.
Creating layers of insulation works better than one thicker blanket or throw and, to maximise the effect, alternate between thicker and thinner layers. Natural options such as wool throws or cotton throws are best for warmth and breathability.
5. Wear thick pyjamas and socks
As well as layering up your bed, you should layer your clothes if you are struggling to stay warm in bed this winter. This means wearing warm pyjamas and thick bed socks made out of breathable materials that will prevent you from overheating during the night.
Depending on your preference, silk and cotton can be good materials, and wool or fleece will keep you very warm on those freezing cold nights. You can also put your pyjamas and socks on the radiator for a while first to make them sufficiently toasty before you put them on.
Putting on your pyjamas just before you go to bed might still leave you with an acclimatisation period, so it can be a good idea to get into your bed clothes half an hour to an hour before you intend to go to bed.
6. Use a hot water bottle
Hot water bottles are a great way to get warm in bed quickly. Having a hot water bottle near your stomach, back or feet is recommended and specialised long hot water bottles are also available that are designed to heat up more of your body.
If you don’t like the sensation of having a hot water bottle next to you, you can instead use one under the covers to heat your bed before you get into it.
What our sleep expert says...
Our resident Sleep Expert, Christabel Majendie, also has a handy takeaway to help you sleep in the colder months.
“Aim to regulate your body temperature with your bedding rather than through central heating. Use a good quality duvet and pillows with natural fibres and puff these up regularly to increase the air content and increase insulation”.
Hopefully, you now have a good idea of how to stay warm in bed during the winter months. Making your bed warmer will help you to have a much better night’s sleep, leaving you well-rested and invigorated for the next day and providing long-term health benefits if you can make it a habit.
