During winter, there’s nothing worse than climbing into a cold bed after a long day. When the temperature drops, your bed can feel icy and uncomfortable. But the good news is that there are many simple and affordable ways to make your bed feel warm and cozy. Some methods cost very little or nothing at all, and others involve a few smart purchases that can make a big difference. In this guide, you’ll discover 10 of the most effective ways to keep your bed warm in winter—and enjoy a more restful night’s sleep.
1. Heat Only Your Bedroom (Not Your Entire Home)
Heating your whole house during winter nights can be expensive, especially if you only need to feel warm in one place—your bedroom. Instead of wasting energy and money, focus on heating just your sleeping space. You can do this by turning off central heating in unused rooms and using a small heater or radiator in the bedroom. This keeps your bed area warm without using extra power throughout the house.
To keep the warm air trapped inside, make sure your bedroom door stays shut. Cold air from other parts of the house can quickly lower the temperature. If you notice cold air sneaking in under the door, place a draft stopper, rolled towel, or even an old blanket along the bottom. This small step can make your bedroom feel noticeably warmer without raising your electricity bill.
Heating only your bedroom at night is not only cheaper, but it’s also more efficient and environmentally friendly. And when your room stays warm, your bed will warm up faster too.
2. Use Flannel Bedsheets Instead of Regular Cotton
One of the easiest and most budget-friendly ways to make your bed warmer is to switch your bedsheets to flannel. Flannel sheets are made from cotton that has been brushed to make it soft and fuzzy. This brushed texture helps trap more air, which acts like insulation and keeps your body heat from escaping.
Flannel sheets feel warm the moment you slide into bed, which is a big difference from regular cotton sheets that often feel cold at first. They’re also breathable, soft, and great for people who like extra comfort on chilly nights.
You can find flannel sheets in many colors and patterns to match your bedroom style. They’re affordable, durable, and easy to wash. Just remember to look for high-quality ones with a tighter weave and heavier weight—they’ll keep you warmer for longer.
3. Add Layers of Blankets and Sheets for Extra Insulation
Adding more layers to your bed is a smart and flexible way to stay warm. Instead of using just one thick blanket or comforter, try building up multiple layers using thinner blankets, sheets, or throws. Why does this work so well? Because each layer traps a bit of air between them, and air is a poor conductor of heat. This means the more air you trap, the more warmth you’ll keep in.
Layering also gives you control over your comfort. If you wake up in the night feeling too hot, you can easily peel off one layer without disturbing your whole setup. Try using a mix of materials—like cotton sheets, a fleece throw, and a wool blanket—to balance breathability and warmth.
If you’re on a budget, this tip is especially useful. You don’t need to buy expensive bedding to stay warm. Even old blankets or spare throws from around the house can be used to build cozy layers that work together to trap heat.
4. Choose a Duvet With a Higher Tog Rating and Warm Filling
If your duvet isn’t warm enough, it may be time to upgrade to one with a higher tog rating or better filling. “Tog” is a measure of how well a duvet holds heat. In winter, a duvet with a tog rating of 13.5 to 15 is usually ideal for keeping you warm through the night.
You also want to pay attention to what’s inside the duvet. There are two main types of fillings:
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Synthetic fillings like polyester, microfiber, or hollow fiber are common and affordable. They are warm and hypoallergenic but might not last as long as natural fillings.
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Natural fillings like duck down, goose down, or wool are excellent at trapping heat and are often more breathable. Wool is especially good for people who sweat at night, as it stays dry and regulates temperature well.
A good quality winter duvet can make a huge difference in how warm you feel, especially when paired with other cozy bedding.
5. Pick Warm Blanket Materials Like Wool or Fleece
Choosing the right blanket material can help you stay warmer without needing to turn up the heat. Wool is one of the best natural materials for keeping warm. It has tiny crimped fibers that create small air pockets, which hold your body heat. Wool also allows moisture to escape, so you don’t get sweaty.
There are many kinds of wool to choose from, including:
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Sheep’s wool – the most common and affordable.
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Merino wool – softer and finer, but more expensive.
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Alpaca or Cashmere – luxury options that are very soft and warm.
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Fleece – a budget-friendly synthetic option that feels like wool and is very warm.
Blankets made from these materials can be used on top of your duvet for extra warmth. Even one good quality wool or fleece blanket can help you feel toasty on the coldest nights.
6. Try Heated Bedding Like Electric Blankets or Mattress Pads
Heated bedding can take your winter sleep experience to a whole new level. If your bed takes too long to warm up with just your body heat, electric options can help you feel comfortable faster. There are two main types to consider:
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Electric blankets go on top of your bed and warm you from above. They are easy to adjust and often come with heat settings.
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Heated mattress pads go underneath your sheets and warm the bed from below. They often distribute heat more evenly and may feel more comfortable to lie on than an electric blanket.
Some models have timers and auto shut-off features for safety and energy savings. Always follow the instructions carefully, and never use electric bedding with a hot water bottle.
Heated bedding uses much less electricity than room heaters, making it a cost-effective choice for many homes.
7. Use a Warm Air Bed Fan Like the BedJet
If you want to heat your bed quickly and precisely, you might like the BedJet. It’s a climate control system that blows warm air into your bed. It uses a small machine placed beside your bed that pushes heated air through a hose under your blankets.
What makes the BedJet special is how fast it works—you can warm up your bed in just a few minutes. It also gives you full control over temperature settings. You can make one side of the bed warmer than the other, which is great if you and your partner have different preferences.
While it costs more than a regular electric blanket, the BedJet is a powerful and high-tech way to stay cozy all winter long.
8. Wear Warm Pajamas and Cozy Socks to Bed
What you wear to bed can make a big difference in how warm you feel. Choosing thick, warm pajamas made from flannel, fleece, or thermal material helps trap body heat. These fabrics are soft and comfortable, making it easier to relax and fall asleep on cold nights.
Don’t forget about your feet—cold toes can wake you up or make it hard to fall asleep. Wearing thick socks or even thermal socks can keep your feet warm all night. If you’re someone who moves a lot in your sleep and ends up with your feet sticking out of the covers, socks are especially helpful.
Warm pajamas and socks are a simple, affordable way to boost your comfort in winter.
9. Use a Hot Water Bottle Before Bed
A hot water bottle is a classic and safe way to preheat your bed. Just fill it with hot water (not boiling), seal it well, and tuck it under your blanket about 10–15 minutes before you go to bed. You can place it where your feet will go or where your lower back rests—it’s up to you.
Hot water bottles stay warm for hours, especially if you wrap them in a soft cover. They’re great for targeted warmth and very budget-friendly. You can even buy longer versions that warm more of your body if you’re tall.
Always check the bottle for leaks before use, and don’t use it together with electric bedding, just to be safe.
10. Snuggle With Your Partner or Pet for Extra Warmth
Sometimes, the best source of warmth is right next to you. Sharing a bed with your partner can help you both stay warmer. Your combined body heat creates a cozy bubble under the blankets. Cuddling, especially at the start of the night, helps keep heat from escaping.
If you don’t share a bed with a person, a pet can also help. Dogs, cats, or other furry friends give off a surprising amount of heat. Many people say their pet is like a little heater with legs!
Just remember that pets can make your bed too warm in summer, and some people might be allergic to pet hair. But in winter, they can be wonderful cuddle buddies.
What’s the Best Bedroom Temperature for Sleep?
You might think the warmer your bedroom, the better your sleep will be in winter. But it turns out that sleeping in a room that’s too hot can actually make it harder to fall asleep. Our bodies naturally cool down at night to help us sleep, and a room that’s too warm can interfere with this process.
Experts usually recommend keeping your bedroom temperature between 60 and 67°F (15.5 to 19.5°C). This range is cool enough to support natural sleep, while your warm bedding keeps you comfortable under the covers.
Try to find the temperature that works best for you. The goal is to stay warm in bed, but not overheat your whole room.
Using a Power Meter to Find the Cheapest Way to Heat My Bedroom
I’m not sure how much electricity costs where you live, but here in the UK, the price is very high right now. During the day, we pay 45 pence for every kilowatt hour of electricity we use, and at night, it costs 22 pence per kilowatt hour.
After moving to a new house, I decided to use a power meter to check how much different appliances were costing me. I also tested various settings on my washing machine to see which ones used less electricity.
I got really interested in this and worked out how much each setting would cost if I used it twice a week for a whole month. It turned out that skipping the drying cycle and choosing shorter washes saved me quite a bit of money over the month.
I also tried different ways to heat my bedroom at night to find the cheapest option.
One thing I found was that boiling water for a cup of tea and filling a hot water bottle halfway with hot and cold water costs me about five pence. (I mix hot and cold water so the bottle isn’t too hot and I don’t get burned!)
But the most important discovery was that using a heated mattress pad all night costs less than using my gas central heating radiator or a small electric heater in the bedroom.
I want to explain that I didn’t measure the gas central heating with the power meter because it’s not an electric device. Instead, I checked my gas meter readings at night to estimate how much gas I was using for heating.
It felt really useful to have actual numbers from my own home to help me make better choices. Knowing that I am heating my bedroom in the most cost-effective way makes me feel more confident.
If you don’t have a power meter, I recommend buying or borrowing one for a week to test your own appliances. You might be surprised by what you learn about your energy use.
Please remember, I’m not giving financial advice — I’m just sharing what worked for me.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your bed warm in winter doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. With a few smart changes and cozy upgrades, you can sleep comfortably even on the coldest nights. Try a mix of these tips to see what works best for you.