There’s nothing worse than trying to fall asleep when you’re not quite warm enough. If you don’t want to have your heating on all winter, there are some things you can do to help keep the warm air in. Remember – you also don’t want your room to be too hot, as that’s not good for sleep either. The ideal temperature for sleeping is around 16-19C.
We consulted sleep scientist Theresa Schnorbach, who works with bed brand Emma (opens in new tab) (one of our best mattress picks), for her advice on how to keep your bedroom at the best temperature for sleep.
“It’s important to keep a stable temperature in your bedroom, as both too hot or too cold will negatively affect your sleep and increase the chances of you waking up during the night,” she explains. Here are some easy ways to avoid the cold during the winter months for better rest. And if you’re struggling with seasonal illnesses, check out our guide to sleeping with a cold, too.
1. Close doors and add a draught-excluder
The first, and simplest thing you can do is to close your bedroom door. This will prevent the cooler air from unused rooms and hallways from making its way into your room. Take things one step further by adding a draught-excluder at the bottom of the door to stop any cold air creeping in.
2. Swap to a winter-weight duvet
“Higher tog level duvets are best for winter nights and those who have difficulty keeping warm during the cold season,” says Theresa. As a rule, a 7 or 9 tog is good for warm summer nights, a 10.5 is perfect for between-seasons (spring and autumn) while you’ll want a 13.5 for wintry nights.
Get the full low-down (and our recommendations) in our best duvet guide, but one option is to go for a 3-in-1 design, which includes two lower tog duvets that can be combined together, meaning you can adjust your setup so it works all year round. There are also some duvets that are naturally temperature regulating. For a quick fix, you could also add a blanket on top of your duvet to trap in more of your body heat.
3. Invest in blackout curtains
One of the best things you can do to improve your bedroom for sleep is to invest in some decent blackout curtains. As well as blocking out light (another big issue when it comes to disturbing sleep), they’ll help insulate the room by providing a barrier against the chilly air that might make its way in from the window. They’re an especially good idea if you have leaky window-frames or single-glazing.
4. Add a rug
“Homes without carpets are often noticeably colder than those with carpets,” points out Theresa. If you’re not in a position to re-carpet your room right now, a rug should do the trick. “A thick rug during the winter months can help to insulate your bedroom for a more comfortable sleep.”
5. Seal up cracks and crevices
Don’t panic, but we’ve reached the DIY portion of our tips article. “Even hairline cracks in walls or doors can have a big impact on how much cold air is able to enter your bedroom,” explains Theresa. “If you’re familiar with how to fix these cracks, ensure you fill them in. If the crack is deeper or more complex, or if you’re a novice when it comes to DIY, consult a professional.”
Theresa Schnorbach
Theresa Schnorbach is a psychologist and sleep scientist, specialized in Clinical Psychology and Cognitive Neuropsychology. She has completed post-graduate training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) with the German Sleep Society (DGSM), endorsed by the European Research Society. She works as a sleep specialist for bed brand Emma (opens in new tab).
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