10 Ways To Keep Your Bed Warm In Winter

If you get cold easily during the winter, you’re not alone. Many people feel chilly at night when the weather gets really cold. The good news is that it’s much easier to make your bed warmer in winter than it is to cool it down in the summer.

Your body actually gives off heat all the time, like a little heater. In the summer, that can make you too hot. But in winter, it helps keep you warm under the covers. If you trap the heat your body makes using the right blankets and sheets, you can stay cozy and comfortable in bed.

Still, waiting for your body to warm the bed by itself can take a long time. No one enjoys slipping into a cold bed at the end of a long day. That’s why it helps to add extra things to your bed or bedroom to make it warmer faster. Some of these ideas are free, some cost a little money, and others just involve changing how you set up your room.

Let’s look at 10 simple and helpful ways to keep your bed warm during those chilly winter nights.

1. Heat your bedroom, not the whole house

Heating your whole home at night during the winter can be expensive, and most of that warmth goes to rooms you’re not even using. So instead of wasting energy and money, try focusing only on your bedroom.

Start by closing your bedroom door to trap heat inside and keep cold air out. If there’s a gap under the door where cold air sneaks in, you can block it with something simple like a rolled-up towel, blanket, or a door draft stopper. This keeps the warm air in and the cold drafts out.

You can also use a small space heater that’s safe for bedrooms. Make sure it has safety features like automatic shut-off. Run it for a little while before bedtime to warm up the room, then turn it off or lower the heat once you’re under the covers.

This method helps save money and energy while still making sure your sleeping space is warm and comfy.

2. Use flannel bedsheets in the winter

Switching your regular sheets to flannel ones during the winter is a small change that can make a big difference. Flannel is a type of soft, brushed cotton fabric that feels fuzzy and warm. Unlike smooth cotton sheets that can feel cold when you first get into bed, flannel sheets instantly feel cozy and comforting.

The fuzzy texture of flannel traps warm air close to your body, which keeps you warmer for longer. This is especially helpful during cold nights when your bed can feel like a block of ice at first. Flannel sheets warm up faster and don’t lose heat as quickly.

They’re also widely available, come in fun patterns, and are usually affordable. Just remember to wash them with care — using cold or warm water and low heat drying — so they stay fluffy and soft all season long.

3. Create layers of top sheets and blankets

Instead of using just one big blanket, try layering your bedding. Layering works like insulation, trapping warm air between each layer to keep you warmer. Think of it like dressing in layers when you go outside — the same idea applies to your bed.

Start with a basic sheet, then add a warm blanket, followed by a comforter or duvet. You can also throw a fleece or wool blanket on top for extra warmth. Each layer helps trap body heat and makes your bed feel like a cozy cocoon.

The great thing about using layers is that you can remove or add them easily depending on how warm or cold you feel during the night. This is helpful because sometimes your body temperature changes as you sleep.

Even if you don’t have fancy or expensive bedding, you can still layer with whatever blankets or even large towels you have at home. The key is to create multiple layers that trap air and hold onto your body heat.

4. Choose a warmer duvet filling

Your duvet or comforter plays a huge role in how warm your bed feels, and the material inside it — called the filling — makes a big difference. Some fillings are better at keeping you warm than others.

There are two main types of duvet fillings: natural and synthetic. Natural fillings like goose down, duck down, or wool are excellent at trapping warmth and allowing your body to breathe. They’re soft, fluffy, and feel luxurious. Wool, in particular, is great because it keeps you warm without making you feel sweaty.

Synthetic fillings like polyester, microfiber, or hollow fiber are also good for warmth and are usually more budget-friendly. They might not be as breathable as natural fillings, but they still do a great job keeping you warm during winter nights.

Duvets are also rated using something called a “tog” value. The tog rating tells you how warm the duvet is:

• Summer: 3.5 to 7.5 tog

• Spring and Autumn: 7.5 to 10.5 tog

• Winter: 13.5 to 15 tog

For cold winters, go for a duvet with a tog value of 13.5 or more. If you’re still cold, you can add an extra throw blanket on top. Choosing the right duvet filling and tog rating is a simple way to stay warmer all night long.

5. Choose warmer blanket materials

Blankets come in many materials, and some are much better at keeping you warm than others. If you want to stay cozy in bed during the winter, it’s important to pick the right kind of blanket.

Wool is one of the best natural materials for warmth. It has a unique texture with little curls and crinkles in the fibers, which helps trap air and keep the heat in. Some types of wool are even softer and warmer, like Merino, Cashmere, or Alpaca wool — though they can be expensive.

If you want something more affordable, fleece is a great choice. It’s a man-made material designed to feel soft like wool and hold in heat. Fleece blankets are light, warm, and easy to wash. You can even double them up for extra warmth.

Whatever material you choose, make sure the blanket is big enough to cover your whole body and feels nice against your skin. Sometimes just adding one extra warm blanket can turn a chilly bed into a toasty retreat.

6. Use heated bedding

Heated bedding is a fast and reliable way to make your bed warm and comfortable before you even climb in. There are two main types: heated mattress pads and electric blankets.

Heated mattress pads go underneath you, between the mattress and your sheets. They warm the bed from below, which is great because heat rises. They often have different heat settings, and some come with timers or auto shut-off features for safety.

Electric blankets go on top of you and warm you from above. They’re easy to use and great if you want to feel the heat directly on your body. Some people prefer these because they don’t like the feeling of wires under their bodies.

Whichever one you choose, heated bedding can make a big difference, especially if you live in a really cold area. Just make sure to follow all the safety instructions and never use heated bedding with a hot water bottle at the same time.

7. Blow some warm air between the sheets

If you want your bed to heat up really quickly and evenly, you might like a special device called a BedJet. This is a climate control system for your bed that works by blowing warm air under your blankets.

The BedJet uses a small unit that warms air using a ceramic heater. A flexible hose sends the warm air into your bed, spreading it between the sheets and over your body. It can warm up your bed in just a few minutes.

One cool feature is that you can set the exact temperature you like, and some models even let couples have different temperatures on each side of the bed.

While a BedJet costs more than most electric blankets, it’s fast, adjustable, and doesn’t have wires in your bed. It’s a great choice if you want precise temperature control and fast warmth.

8. Wear warm pajamas and maybe socks too

What you wear to bed is just as important as the blankets you sleep under. Warm pajamas help hold in your body heat and make it easier to stay cozy through the night.

In winter, flannel pajamas are an excellent choice because they are soft and warm. You can also wear thermal or wool pajamas if it gets really cold where you live. They help your body stay warm and make those midnight trips to the bathroom a little more bearable!

Don’t forget about your feet. Wearing socks to bed can help a lot, especially if your feet tend to get cold. Cold feet can actually make it harder to fall asleep, so wearing warm socks can help you relax more easily.

Choose pajamas and socks that are comfortable and not too tight. The goal is to stay warm without feeling uncomfortable or too hot.

9. Cuddle up to a hot water bottle

A hot water bottle is a simple, old-fashioned, and very effective way to warm up your bed. You just fill it with hot water (not boiling), screw the cap on tight, and place it in your bed before you get in.

You can keep it near your feet or hug it to your chest. It feels warm and comforting and helps your body relax. If you’re tall, you might like a long hot water bottle, which warms a bigger area of your body.

Make sure you check for leaks and always use the hot water bottle with care. Don’t use it at the same time as an electric blanket or heated mattress pad, as this could be unsafe.

Hot water bottles are cheap, reusable, and super handy for cold nights when you want quick warmth without using electricity.

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

When it’s cold outside, snuggling up with someone — or even your pet — can make your bed a lot warmer and cozier. When two warm bodies share a bed and cuddle, they trap more heat under the blankets.

Sleeping close to your partner not only keeps you both warmer, but it also feels comforting and helps you relax before falling asleep.

And if you have a dog, you probably already know how much body heat they give off. Even a small dog can feel like a living hot water bottle. If your dog is allowed on the bed, cuddling with them on a cold night can add extra warmth.

Just keep in mind that once your pet gets used to sleeping in the bed, they might not want to give up the spot when the weather gets warmer!

What’s the ideal bedroom temperature?

When it comes to bedroom temperature, there’s no one perfect number for everyone, but most experts suggest keeping your room between 60°F and 67°F (15.5°C to 19.5°C). This range helps your body know it’s time to sleep and keeps you comfortable under the covers.

If the room is too warm, it can actually make it harder to fall asleep. Your body naturally cools down at night as a way to get ready for sleep. If your room is too hot, that natural process gets interrupted. On the other hand, if the room is freezing and you’re shivering, you’ll also have trouble sleeping.

Try to find a balance that feels just right for you. Warm bedding and pajamas can help you stay cozy even if your room is on the cooler side, which often leads to better sleep.

Using a power meter to work out the most cost-effective way to heat my bedroom

If you’re worried about how much it costs to heat your bedroom in winter, a power meter can help you understand what’s using the most electricity. A power meter is a small device that tells you how much power your appliances use.

You plug it into the wall and then plug your electric blanket, heater, or kettle into it. The meter shows how much energy is being used and how much it costs. It’s a great way to find the most budget-friendly way to stay warm.

For example, I found that using a heated mattress pad all night used less electricity than turning on the gas radiator or a portable heater. Boiling water for a hot water bottle also cost very little — only a few cents.

You don’t have to be an expert to try this. Just borrow or buy a basic power meter and do some tests for a few nights. You might be surprised by what’s using the most power and how much you can save by making small changes.