How to keep your bedroom warm without central heating ? A simple and relatively inexpensive way to avoid feeling the winter chill at night is to replace your existing bedding with a warmer winter alternative. Fleece and flannel are awesome options for your winter bedding.
keep your bedroom warm without central heating
They are reasonably priced and will go a long way to keeping you that little bit warmer.
Both materials are also excellent insulators, meaning that your residual body heat is not lost as easily as it is with plain cotton linens.
That means they should keep you both warm and comfortable on those colder winter nights.
Use electric or weighted blankets
Electric blankets are a very cost-effective way of keeping you warm in bed.
In Europe, electric blanket sales increased by around 500% in 2022 and have continued to be popular into this year.
Far cheaper to run than keeping your central heating on overnight, many electric blankets feature self-timers that allow you to set them to come on for just an hour or two before bed, or while you drift off to sleep – helping to reduce running costs even further.
Weighted blankets are also good for lowering bills.
Used primarily to alleviate feelings of anxiety, weighted blankets are great insulators too – keeping you warm and cosy and not using any energy at all.
Get a higher tog duvet – but keep this in mind
If forking out for an electric or weighted blanket (as they can be expensive) is not something you want to consider, perhaps investing in a new duvet could be the answer.
As many of us try to avoid using our home’s heating, we expect to see lots of shoppers opting to buy a new duvet that can stand up to the winter chill.
But, while it can be tempting to swap the duvet you currently have for the thickest and most luxurious available on the market, it may not be the best and most cost-effective option for you.
What you should aim for is a versatile duvet that can be paired with thicker blankets and bedding in the winter and that isn’t too thick and cumbersome in the spring.
Failing to do this may result in you needing to fork out more money for a more appropriate “spring” duvet.
Aim for a “tog” rating of around 10.5 to 12.5 and you should get the best of both worlds – warm and cosy in the winter and not too hot in the spring.
TOP TIP – Here’s a really great duvet guide from Dreams that helps to explain more about duvet togs
Wear fleece or wool pyjamas
As with your bedding choices, similar materials and fabrics apply to your pyjamas too.
Although times are increasingly tough, spending a little more now on the right winter pyjamas will go a long way to keeping you cosy this winter.
When I say wear the “right” pyjamas, I’m not just alluding to the material either – they need to fit well and be comfortable.
You will have a better night’s sleep if you are comfortable.
A healthy and well-rested body is better prepared to take on the cold of winter.
Fleece dressing gowns, hooded blankets and oversized hoodies are great for keeping the chill away in the morning and at night, and nothing is stopping you from sleeping in them if the cold really starts to bite.
Use a hot water bottle
You may think that hot water bottles and bed warmers are a little “old school”, and you may be right to a certain point – but I’m not talking about using coal burning bed warmers like you’re in medieval Britain!
Using a hot water bottle at night will not only keep you a lot warmer than without one, it will also help you to have a better night’s sleep.
Heat helps us to relax by stimulating blood flow improves circulation of blood around the body and makes us feel more comfortable in our surroundings.
A single hot water bottle should be enough for one person, and you should target your feet as the area of the bed to place it – just try getting a good night’s sleep with cold feet and you’ll see how a hot water bottle could help to make life easier.
Simply place a hot water bottle under the duvet around 5-10 minutes before you get in bed and you’ll feel the difference.
NOTE – It’s advisable that you remove the hot water bottle after you get into bed, as failing to do so could lead to bursting and scalding, and you should NEVER use a hot water bottle with an electric blanket.
Lay down the carpet (or a rug)
Although there are several benefits to hardwood and laminate flooring, retaining heat is not one of them.
So, if your bedroom has hardwood floors, laying down a thick rug during the winter will help to insulate your bedroom and ensure your feet get a nice warm treat when you crawl out of your nice warm bed.
Faux sheepskin rugs not only exude a considerable amount of retro style, but they’re also awesome at providing a warmer spot for your feet.
That said, on laminate and hardwood flooring, any type of rug is going to add an extra level of warmth to the floor.