How to Prepare Your Bedroom for Colder Nights
As the temperature drops and chilly nights become the norm, it's time to rethink your bedroom. The idea is to turn it into a warm and welcoming, cosy retreat.
Preparing your bedroom for colder nights secures your comfort while promoting better sleep at the same time. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your bedroom everything you need it to be during the colder months.
1. Invest in warm bedding
The most obvious way to stay warm at night is by upgrading your bedding. Swap out lighter summer duvets for ones with a higher tog rating that will keep you warm at night throughout the winter. You could even layer up on bedding to keep those warmth levels optimal as the temperatures continue to fluctuate too. Flannel bed sheets and duvet covers are also a great option for trapping heat and giving you that soft, snug feeling.
Top tip: Materials such as wool, fleece, or blended cotton are designed to retain warmth without leading to overheating.
2. Use a mattress topper
A good mattress topper can make a huge difference in keeping the chill at bay. Memory foam toppers provide additional insulation, while wool or down mattress toppers enhance both comfort and warmth. Not only will this make your bed more comfortable, but it can also help to keep your body temperature regulated throughout the night.
Ours is quilted and cool to the touch to help prevent overheating which should lead to a more restful night's sleep. The air mesh walls of our My Nature mattress topper help to encourage air circulation and enhance breathability for a more hygienic sleep environment too. And as it’s been generously filled with soft hollowfibre, it’s perfect for anyone looking to upgrade their comfort and prolong the lifespan of their mattress too. Oh, and on a final note, the hypoallergenic filling helps to limit your exposure to allergens such as dust mites, pollen and dust. Win-win!
3. Control the temperature
Keeping your bedroom at the right temperature is really important for anyone after great-quality sleep during the colder months here in the UK. The ideal sleeping temperature is around 15-19°C (or 60-67°F). While it may be tempting to turn up the heat when it’s chilly outside, having your bedroom too warm can disrupt your sleep. Instead, rely on your bedding and layers to keep you warm.
Top tip: If your room tends to get too cold, a small space heater with temperature control can help you to maintain the perfect balance.
4. Block out any drafts
Colder nights can sometimes bring unwanted drafts into our homes, especially if the windows or doors aren’t well insulated. Use draft excluders at the base of doors and check for gaps around windows where cold air might be able to creep in. If needed, you could also think about investing in some thermal curtains to help block out drafts and retain more heat in your bedroom.
Top tip: Even thick curtains can make a noticeable difference when it comes to keeping the warmth inside – where it needs to be.
5. Use warm lighting
The right lighting can make your bedroom feel warmer in appearance and in mood too. Switch out harsh, white light bulbs for soft, warm-toned ones instead. You could even use lamps or fairy lights instead of – or as well as – ceiling lights. This will help to create a more intimate, cosy vibe in your bedroom, helping you wind down more easily in the colder evenings.
6. Add some textures
Working with different textures in your bedroom helps to add warmth too. This can also make the space feel more inviting. We’re thinking chunky knit throws, fleece blankets, or shaggy rugs. On the plus side, having a rug near your bed is also a smart move for the colder mornings too. It can help to insulate your feet from cold floors when you wake up and spring out of bed.
7. Prepare with heating aids
Sometimes, it gets so cold that nothing seems to help… If that’s the case in your home, heating aids such as electric blankets and hot water bottles become essentials at bedtime.
Electric blankets can help to pre-warm your bed before you get in, ensuring you don’t spend those first few minutes shivering. Alternatively, a hot water bottle placed at your feet can help keep you warm in bed without getting too hot.
8. Keep warmth in mind with pyjamas
Along with making your bed cosy and inviting, you’ll need to think about your sleepwear too. Switching to long-sleeved pyjamas made from warmer fabrics such as flannel, fleece, or thermal cotton can make a huge difference. Layering is a technique you can harness to help trap heat too. So, if it’s a particularly cold evening, wearing socks and/or a soft hoodie could be a wise idea.
9. Add some aromatherapy into your evenings
There are several scents that can evoke warmth and help us feel more relaxed on cold nights. Lavender and vanilla are two of them. And by adding an essential oil diffuser into your bedroom you can help to promote that feeling of relaxation and calmness that is much needed at bedtime. These scents can help to make your bedroom feel the best place to retreat from the cold weather.
10. Embrace seasonal décor
If you like to switch your bedroom décor along with the change in seasons, the essence of fall and winter can actually help to enhance warmth. We’re thinking earthy tones, deep reds, or rich oranges – basically all those autumnal colours that mimic the cosiness of the autumn and winter months. Adding just a few small touches such as candles or decorative cushions can make a big impact instantly. If you like your bedroom snug and seasonal, this one’s for you.
Prepping your bedroom for colder night: our conclusion
Preparing your bedroom for colder nights is quite a multi-faceted process. It involves layering for warmth, adding in some cosy textures, and controlling the temperature to create a comfortable sleep environment.
But with just a few simple adjustments, you can transform your bedroom into a warm and inviting space that invites you to sleep soundly, even on the chilliest of nights.
Gemma Henry - Content Lead
Gemma finds sleep fascinating and describes the discovery aspect of her role as eye-opening. Her keen eye for detail and dedication to thorough research ensures that Bensons customers get the informative sleep-based advice they're looking for.