Seven ways to keep your bed warm this winter

When the blustery winds howl outside, and the weather is icy and cold, your bed should be a warm retreat that makes you forget about any storms or mounds of snow just beyond your door.

While you can opt for pajamas and hot chocolate to heat you up when you check the local forecast and see the temps dropping, it’s nice to have a warm bed into which you can escape.

Here are seven options to deliver the heat to your bed on a freezing night.

Flannel Sheets

Cotton and silk sheets are nice, but they won’t keep you warm in the frigid weather. Switch out your normal sheets for flannel ones. The soft, velvety finish of flannel will feel comfy against your skin, and the thick fabric will keep you feeling toasty throughout a chilling night.

The warmth of flannel comes from its weight, not its thread count. So, be sure to get heavyweight sheets that boast of being at least 190 grams. While plaid comes to mind when one thinks of flannel, modern flannel sheets come in an array of solid colors and decorative prints to match the decor of your bedroom. So, your bed can be stylish while staying warm.

Electric Blanket

Let an electric blanket heat your bed and allow you to sleep in bliss. These cushy blankets plug into an outlet and promise eight to 10 hours of warmth at a heat level of your choosing. Many come with at least five or more temperature options so you won’t have to sweat or shiver. You can calibrate just the right level of comfort so you can get the best rest. Timers and auto shut-off features make sure that if you forget to turn the blanket off, it won’t overheat and cause a fire.

Multiple Layers of Bed Dressings

Just like your mother advised you to dress in layers to stay warm in the snow, the secret of a snuggly, warm bed is to dress it in layers, too. A nice sandwich of a sheet, blanket, sheet can make all the difference in how warm your stay is. However, don’t stop there. Consider a duvet, which can be much better than a comforter when it comes to protecting you from the cold. Often filled with feathers or wool, duvets come with heavy options specifically designed for winter.

Electric Mattress Pad

Did you know that mattress pads come in electric options? These radiate heat from the base of the bed upward. Instead of covering yourself with heated options, you can get in your bed and lie on the heated surface, feeling the warmth on your back and calves. These pads can deliver such a relaxing sensation.

Don’t worry about lying on wires and being uncomfortable. Most electric mattress pads have thin wires that are not noticeable so that the pad’s surface is soft and soothing underneath your sheets. Like blankets, these come with auto shut-off, preheat settings, and multiple heat levels so you can be safe and have the customized warmth your desire. Some pads even come with therapeutic features.

Hot Water Bottle

This bottle isn’t for drinking. It’s for heating your bed like our relatives did generations ago. Still in style, these hot water bottles are available in rubber or thermoplastic. Fill them with boiling water and insert them into the bedsheets to heat the bed before you slide in. Many sleepers love the sensation of feeling the bottle against their feet, warming their bodies from the soles upward. Others like cuddling the bottle against their abdomen.

Hot water bottles often come with sweater wraps or textured finishes to make them extra comfortable against the skin.

Space Heater

Although this is not on your bed, it can heat your bed from afar. You can find space heaters in a variety of styles. Some look like fireplaces. Some are oscillating fans that blow heated air. Others look like classic radiators. Many have multiple temperature settings and remote control options so you can control the heat from the comfort of your bed. It won’t matter what temperature the rest of the house is; a space heater allows you to set the sleeping temperature you like for your bedroom exclusively. Just be sure to keep the heater three feet from your bedding to avoid igniting a fire.

Bed Tent

This is a rare option that is becoming more popular for creating a warm bed at night. A bed tent wraps around your mattress and delivers warmth by blocking the cold drafts that might be entering your room through cracks in the windows or doors. You are sealed inside a tepid and private atmosphere. Most tents have ventilation at the top so that you have a breathable canopy. If you get too warm, you can always unzip a few doors on the tent a little or a lot to create your perfect atmosphere.

No longer dread or curse the winter. With these strategies to keep your bed warm, you may decide to make your bed your new living space. Grab your laptop, your tea, and a work tray. Stay in bed for as long as you choose. Now, you can always be warm there.

Report a Typo