As temperatures are set to drop this week, it can be tempting to reach for the thermostat and crank up the heating. But experts reveal there’s a handful of other things you can be doing to help stay toasty without contributing to high energy bills.
Here, Lucy Ackroyd, Head of Design at Christy, shares her expertise and tips on ways you can stay warm on cold winter nights that you may not already be doing.
Check the tog rating (and filling) of your duvet
Experts at luxury towel and bedding company, Christy, recently surveyed 2,000 UK adults and found that most (66%) feel they don’t sleep as well at this time of year.
It may sound like an obvious fix, however only half of those surveyed (47%) say they will swap to a thicker winter duvet in the colder months, despite struggling to sleep.
A tog is essentially a measure of how well a duvet holds heat. The higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet will be, with 1 tog being cool, and 15 being the warmest. Most cold sleepers will find they get sufficient warmth from a 13.5 tog duvet in the coldest months and then switch to something lighter in the summer. For those wanting to avoid buying different duvets for different seasons, a 10.5 tog duvet can be a good all-year-round option.
Renowned for warmth and softness, as well as being highly breathable, feather and down duvets can also be an excellent choice for those cold winter nights. Feather and down fills are sourced from different parts of the bird, giving them distinct characteristics.
Feathers are found on the outside of the bird meaning they are larger in size, contributing to a heavier and weightier duvet. Whilst down is located on the underside of the bird as an insulating layer, meaning the fibres are light and fluffy, making for a light and airy duvet that’s good at trapping in heat.
Often both types are blended for a plumper look and feel that doesn’t compromise warmth.
Know what layers to use (and how to use them)
Despite most of us struggling to sleep in colder months, only a fifth (21%) of Brits said they add more blankets to their bed in the colder months, and layering up is great for several reasons.
Firstly, if you share a bed with a partner and they operate at a different temperature you can add blankets to just one side, so everyone is happy and cosy. Secondly, layered bedding is very fashionable and creates a very comfortable and inviting look which is perfect for winter.
When making your bed, think about the order of your layers as this can make a big difference to how well you sleep. Start with a fitted bottom sheet with a tighter weave, followed by a flat top sheet. This will provide additional warmth and act as a barrier between you and your duvet cover, allowing for extended time between washes. Top off these sheets with a lightweight blanket for another layer of warmth and comfort, followed by your duvet of choice.
Top it all off with a bedspread for even more warmth and a bit of extra style! The best quilts for winter are lightweight, breathable options crafted of cotton.
Opt for flannel or fleece bedding
When it comes to seasonal bedding, you may think a one-size-fits-all approach will work. In fact, a quick and easy way to stay cosy in bed this winter is to replace your bedding with a warmer, winter alternative. Some of the best materials for this are fleece and flannel as they are reasonably priced and are brilliant insulators, helping to keep you warm and cosy through the colder months.
For an extra boost in temperature, you can opt for a plug-in electric blanket. Far cheaper to run than central heating, a heated blanker provides a more focused area of heat meaning you’ll warm up quicker and it won’t need to be on for as long.