Updated at: 08-07-2022 - By: iatsabbioneta

If you’re prone to shivering in the dead of winter, the good news is that heating your bed at night is considerably easier than cooling it during the summer.

As a starting point, your own body is a natural heat source. As a matter of fact, it’s a crucial component of the solution when it’s cold out there.

It’s theoretically possible to keep your bed warm enough for a good night’s sleep simply by being there.

The downside is that it takes a long time to warm your bed this way, and nobody enjoys waking up in a cold bed at the end of a hard day. A heating system and the correct winter bedding may be necessary if you live in a chilly climate.

To help you warm up your bed and bedroom, here are some ideas. Others are free, some cost money, and some just take a few tweaks to your bedroom’s layout to get them to work better.

1. Heat your bedroom, not the whole house

Heating your house all night is inefficient and might be pricey. Because of this, on the coldest nights, it may be best to simply heat your bedroom and close the door to retain the heat in your room.

If there’s a lot of space between the door and the wall, I’ve found that placing a draft excluder or some other material at the bottom of the door helps keep the draft out.

cat relaxing on bedroom radiator

2. Use flannel bedsheets in the winter

During the colder months, flannel makes an excellent bedsheet material. Cotton brushed into a fluffy state, as opposed to the smooth state of regular cotton sheets, is called flannel.

More air is trapped by the additional fluffiness, making it a better insulator.

3. Create layers of top sheets and blankets

Use several thin blankets or duvets instead of a single thick one. Layers of insulation and air-sealing are the goals here (which is a poor conductor of heat).

The benefit of wearing layers is that you can shed them if you become overheated during the night. To get the best insulation, alternate between thin and thick layers.

Add layers of any material, even if you can’t afford pricey bed heating systems or luxury bedding, to assist keep you warm.

4. Choose a warmer comforter or duvet filling

Comforters and duvets filled with down and/or feathers are the most insulating.

Wool is another good filler since it holds in the air well while still being more breathable than synthetics. Hollow fiber is an excellent warm material if you want to stay away from animal-based fillers.

What are tog values?

Depending on where you live, duvets are rated in terms of togs. A tog is a measure of thermal insulation that tells you how warm something is likely to be before you step foot in it.

You can use these values as a guideline for the season:

  • Seasonal: 3.5-2.75
  • 7.5-10.5 in the spring and fall
  • Temperature ranges from 13.5°F to 15°F during the winter.

white down comforter

5. Choose warmer blanket materials

Wool and cotton fleece are the most insulating materials for blankets. You can keep your body heat in better by using these fabrics because the fibers are curlier, creating air pockets that are more effective than flat synthetic fibers.

There are many choices of wool, with sheep and lamb wool being the most common. Try an alpaca or yak or qiviut blanket if you’re looking for the warmest possible.

alpaca wool blankets

6. Use heated bedding

There are many choices of wool, with sheep and lamb wool being the most common. Try an alpaca or yak or qiviut blanket if you’re looking for the warmest possible.

Wool comes in a wide variety of varieties, although sheep and lamb wool are the most popular. Also, if you’re looking for the warmest blanket possible, look into Merino, Cashmere, Alpaca, Yak, or Qiviut fibers!

However, some folks may prefer electric blankets. To avoid having cables beneath you, or to avoid getting too hot when the heat is trapped between your body and the bed, these mattresses are a smart option.

7. Blow some warm air between the sheets

Rather than using heated bedding, you can use the BedJet climate control system. A few years ago, my partner and I started using one, and we’ve been hooked ever since.

Heating air over a ceramic stone in a separate machine, and then blowing that warm air between your sheets and on to your body.

There are several temperature settings and options to choose from, so you can customize the temperature of your bed to your liking.

bedjet 3

8. Wear warm pajamas

You can further enhance your body heat insulation by donning some flannel pajamas. It’s also easier to get out of bed in the middle of the night with one of them on.

9. Cuddle up to a hot water bottle

A hot water bottle can also be used as an additional source of warming.

Before you go into bed, fill it with hot water (but not boiling). For the first half of the night, you may either snuggle up to it or use it to keep your feet toasty.

10. Snuggle up to your partner (or your dog)

Finally, if you’ve ever slept with a partner, you’ll recognize this one. As a result, snuggling up together is a terrific strategy to keep even more of your body heat from escaping.

Following reader feedback, the dog suggestion has finally been included to the list. I can tell you from personal experience that even small dogs can produce a surprising amount of heat. Hot water bottles with a fuzzy appearance and four legs! In the heat of the summer, don’t expect your pet cat or dog to keep you cool.

11. Enjoy a Hot drink

Yes, you read that correctly… You won’t stay warm at night with hot drinks. It actually has the opposite effect and lowers your body temperature a little, according to scientific research! But who are we to argue that the placebo effect isn’t sufficient? It was because of this that we were able to slip this suggestion in.

This is where the good news comes in. We get a temporary sense of warmth from drinking hot beverages, but they don’t keep us warm. In and of itself, this can induce a state of drowsiness that is ideal for bedtime.

In addition, there are a wide variety of hot beverages that might assist us fall asleep. Herbal teas, such as green tea, chamomile, valerian, and lavender, among others, all include natural components that promote relaxation and sleep.

12. Enjoy The Luxury of an Adjustable Bed

Did you know that the position of your body at night could be a factor in whether or not you are able to maintain your body temperature?

For the most part, adjustable beds are intended to meet a specific need for the individual user. There are numerous advantages to an adjustable bed, including treating back discomfort, reducing swelling, and alleviating joint and ligament pain.

To ensure a good night’s sleep, you can adjust the bed’s position automatically. You can regulate your body temperature by ensuring that you are in a position that is both comfortable and supportive. When you sleep at a temperature that is neither hot nor cold, your body will remain stable throughout the night.

13. Warm PJ’s

Even if you prefer silk or cotton, you should be able to sleep soundly at night no matter what you choose. Consider the fabric of your pajamas! To avoid becoming overheated, you must wear clothing that is permeable to air.

Silk is the ideal fabric for nighttime pyjamas since it does not retain heat. This unique material keeps you cozy and cool in the winter and summer, respectively, and ensures a restful night’s sleep. The softness and breathability of cotton make it an excellent choice, but because it’s so thin, you may need to bring an additional layer to bed with you.

14. Get Cosy in Extra Layers

Is your room temperature correct, but you’re still feeling cold? There is a possibility that your duvet isn’t big enough.

Any new duvet would have a greater tog rating, which you may always look into obtaining as an option. Consider a Tog value of 10.5 for Spring and Autumn weather. When it comes to winter duvets, we suggest going with a number between 13.5 and 15.

Blankets

It’s only that we don’t want you to go overboard with your spending! If you’re still cold in bed after switching to a Spring duvet, bring a few extra layers with you. That way, if you get too hot at night, you may take them off. For an additional layer of warmth, consider adding a blanket or two to your bed.

Here’s some great tips to keep you warm in bed so you get the quality sleep you need:

  • Make sure you’re warm by dressing in your pajamas or a long-sleeved T-shirt. Synthetic materials can’t keep you as warm as wool, cotton, or silk.
  • Put on a pair of super-soft sleeping socks to get rid of chilly toes. Having an extra layer under your sheets can help you sleep better by increasing circulation to your extremities.
  • Before you go to sleep, take a warm (not hot) bath. This is a great way to be cozy and relax at the same time.
  • Warm up with a cup of milk.
  • You should try to get some movement in, but not too close to sleep, to assist keep your body warm and circulate blood.

Bedroom tips to keep warm

The bedroom, the bed, and the bedding are also important considerations because they all help to keep you warm in the frigid night air.

  • Maintain a comfortable temperature in the bedroom, but avoid overheating it. 16-18 degrees Celsius is the ideal temperature for a room.
  • Don’t sleep on a lumpy mattress. A bed that isn’t properly supporting you might make cuddling up for warmth uncomfortable and damp, therefore it’s best to avoid that at all costs.
  • During the colder months, go for a mattress with a thicker top layer. Flat surfaces are less effective at insulating than squishy ones. Keep warm with a fleecy underblanket.
  • Consider using multiple layers of bedding rather than just a single layer of duvet. If you get too warm, you can remove the extra layers you’ve put on to cool down.
  • Using a traditional hot water bottle before going to sleep is still one of the best ways to stay toasty. To prevent burns and to keep you from getting cold in the middle of the night, use a cover.
  • Adding a layer of warmth to your bed is easy with electric blankets and duvets. Overblankets and underblankets keep the temperature consistent throughout the night.