A bedroom expert has provided five top tips to keep warm cost effectively over the coming months (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
As the UK embraces the chill of autumn, many are debating whether to crank up the heating amidst rising , which are to soar by 10% in October.
Brits woke to a brisk Saturday morning (September 28), with social media abuzz with people sharing their discomfort over the dropping – a sign of even colder days ahead. “It’s quite cold today, isn’t it?” remarked one user, posting a picture of their warming cuppa.
Another freezing Brit shared: “Oh blimey, it’s so cold today,” explaining the struggle to heat their office to just 16C after two hours, while their expansive living room remained a chilly 15C despite efforts to conserve heat.” A third moaned: “It’s so cold today I hate it I need to go south, anywhere south from here.”
Meanwhile, a fourth cursed: “Just feeling cold today… Probably because summer is a distant memory now and clouding over with just 11c/12c 52/54F at Manchester… That’s chilly for almost midday in September.”
In response to these chilly woes, bedroom specialist Adeel ul-haq from Bunkbeds, who has shared his five top tips for keeping warm without turning up the thermostat. He claims the simple yet practical solutions can help keep the chill away while keeping your energy bills down.
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“It’s quite cold today, isn’t it?”
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Use the right type of duvet fillings
Many Brits make the mistake of using the same duvet and pillows all year round, Adeel claims. If you find yourself waking up feeling cold, you may want to consider changing them.
“Your duvet filling will be the difference from sleeping all night to waking up and tossing and turning,” Adeel says. “There are two types of duvet fillings to choose from, synthetic and natural. Natural fillings such as wool have a chunky structure and because of this it can trap air well and keep you warm all night without having to put the heating on.”
Revamp the colour scheme of your bedroom
It may seem far-fetched, but the colour of your bedroom can significantly affect your mood and even your perception of temperature. “Making your home feel warmer visually can have a psychological effect on you so that you don’t reach to turn your heating up,” Adeel suggests.
“Using colours that are warm feeling such as reds, yellows, oranges, terracotta or rust coloured can help create a cosy atmosphere. Colours such as blue, light hues of green or white can have the opposite effect and can make you feel much colder as the temperature outside drops. If you don’t want to spend too much money painting your room, you can change items such as bedding, curtains, cushions, and other accessories to get the same effect.”
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Upsize your bedding
The wrong size bed sheets can make you feel uncomfortable and lead to a poor night’s sleep – but using a slightly larger duvet size in the colder months can in fact keep you warmer. “]If you find your arms, legs or feet hanging out of your bed you may feel the chill from the cold air in your room,[” Adeel adds.
“Getting a larger duvet than the one you need will get rid of this problem and will keep the warm air in and around your body keeping you warm all night.”
Keep the heat in with your curtains
Most of us already have curtains in our bedroom but are they right for us during the colder months? Adeel believes you could have the wrong type or you may not be using them most efficiently enough to keep the heat in. “Curtains come in many materials, to keep the heat in you ideally should have curtains with a thermal lining as these will keep the heat in and your energy bills down,” he continues.
“If you don’t have thermal curtains, wool or velvet are also good choices. When it comes to your curtains you may be tempted to keep them closed in the colder months but you should always open them in the morning to leave in natural light and heat. When it comes to the evening you should then close your curtains to retain the heat in your room.
“Curtain tracks can also be used instead of regular curtain poles as these create a seal between the curtain and the wall to trap heat in your home.”
Avoid the electric blanket
While an electric blanket can be an efficient way to keep warm in bed, it is better to avoid their use owing to safety concerns,” Adeel adds. “Electric blankets can be safe if they are used correctly and are maintained, but most people don’t know what to look out for and as a result, these devices cause thousands of fires every year,” he explains.
“Electric blankets should have a recognised approvals mark such as the BEAB mark or the BSEN 60335 International Standard Number. They should be less than 10 years old and have no worn or frayed fabric. There also shouldn’t be wires poking through or scorch marks visible on the fabric.”