A cozy bedroom is a must as the weather gets cold and daylight starts to disappear. By employing a few simple strategies, such as changing the room’s atmosphere with aromatherapy or filling the space with fluffy pillows, you can turn your bedroom into a warm wintertime oasis. Read our guide below for tips on how to cozy up your bedroom for winter.
1. Warm and Comfy Bedding for Winter
Select a bedding type that makes you most comfortable, and use layering techniques to create a cocoon that keeps you cozy.
Choose the Right Duvet Tog Rating
Tog ratings indicate how well a duvet insulates, and you can find these metrics on a duvet’s label or the manufacturer’s website. A tog rating of 10 or above means the duvet can insulate well without overheating, which makes it ideal for winter months. Duvets with natural fills, such as down or wool, are warmer and more breathable than synthetic options.
Layer Your Bedding Effectively
Start layering with breathable cotton sheets as your base, which wick away moisture and regulate body temperature. Flannel sheets can add an extra layer of insulation as an alternative. Add lightweight throws or blankets, followed by heavier quilts or duvets. You can easily warm or cool yourself throughout the night by increasing or decreasing your coverage.
2. Create the Perfect Sleep Temperature for Cold Winter Nights
Adjust the climate in your room to create the perfect sleeping environment.
Adjust Your Room Thermostat
The National Sleep Foundation recommends keeping your bedroom temperature between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit for the best sleep. This range accounts for your body’s natural nightly drop in temperature as you get ready for bed. Use a digital thermometer to monitor and maintain your bedroom’s temperature, especially if your home’s thermostat is unreliable. If your heating system operates on zones, change the settings so your bedroom remains in this range.
Use Ceiling Fans for Winter Warmth
Ceiling fans can help to spread warm air around during winter months. Switch your fan so that it rotates clockwise, which pushes warm air down. This is a very simple adjustment that will save you money on energy costs. You can also use a small, portable heater for more concentrated warmth. Make sure to place it safely away from any flammable materials.
3. Change the Atmosphere for the Best Winter Vibes
Incorporate soothing colors and comforting scents into your bedroom to relax your senses.
Winter Color Schemes
Colors can affect your mood and sleep quality. Add calming tones such as soft blues, greens, or neutral earth tones to your bedroom’s decorative scheme for a relaxing effect. If repainting walls isn’t possible, add these colors with different bedding, curtains, or decorative accents. White or off-white accessories mimic the peaceful quality of a winter landscape.
Seasonal Scents and Aromatherapy
Scents have powerful influences on emotional states. Seasonal fragrances such as cinnamon, vanilla, or pine invite warm winter memories and create comforting atmospheres. Scented candles, essential oil diffusers, or natural potpourri can infuse your bedroom with familiar aromas. Lavender is especially comforting. Experiment with blends of essential oils to find a combination that relaxes you.
4. Manage Your Light Sources During Winter Months
Light is an important part of regulating sleep-wake cycles. Try to get as much natural light exposure as possible during winter months, when daylight is scarce.
Strategies for Natural Light Exposure
Keep curtains and blinds open during the day to let natural light into your bedroom. Light-colored or sheer window treatments let sunlight in without sacrificing your privacy. Move your bed close to a window to take advantage of morning light. This will help you to regulate your circadian rhythm and improve your mood.
Reduce Blue Light for Better Sleep
As daylight disappears, and we ramp up use of artificial light sources, our sleep patterns can suffer. Blue light from screens is especially troublesome because it suppresses melatonin production, which is the hormone that regulates sleep. Halt screen time at least an hour before you go to bed and use only dim lighting in your bedroom at night. Consider using blue light-blocking glasses too.
5. Insulate Your Bedroom to Avoid Winter Chills
Keep your bedroom insulated to keep yourself warm without losing heat or increasing energy bills.
Seal Windows and Doors
Seal any gaps you notice around windows or doors with weatherstripping or caulk. If you have older windows, consider using insulating window film or thermal curtains, which can add an extra layer of warmth. Laying draft stoppers or door snakes at the base of your doors can prevent cold air from seeping in, and layering rugs can insulate floors.
Add Cozy Textiles and Rugs
Add thick curtains or soft throw blankets to your room, which retain heat. Consider adding a canopy bed, too, as its drapes can keep heat inside your sleeping area.
6. Use Warming Bedroom Accessories on Cold Winter Nights
Bedroom accessories such as heating blankets or humidifiers can improve air quality while keeping you warm.
Heated Blankets and Mattress Pads
Electric blankets and heated mattress pads allow you to adjust your bedding’s warmth on cold winter nights. You can use these devices to preheat your bed before sleep and keep the temperature comfortable throughout the night. Many models feature dual controls for couples with different temperature preferences. Look for models that feature automatic shutoff for safety.
Humidifiers for Improved Air Quality
Heating your room can make the air inside dry, which can be uncomfortable and lead to health issues. A bedroom humidifier adds moisture to the air, relieves dry skin, reduces static electricity, and prevents the spread of airborne viruses. Choose a model with a built-in hygrometer to keep humidity levels between 30% and 50%.
7. Other Winter Warming Ideas
Your Favorite Winter Pajamas
Buy thermal or flannel sleepwear to keep yourself comfortable throughout the night. Pair your sleepwear with warm socks to regulate your body temperature and prevent cold feet.
Upgrade Your Mattress
If your mattress doesn’t give you the support and insulation you need, buy a new one that’s designed for colder months. Mattresses with memory foam or latex have better heat retention than traditional spring mattresses, and some mattresses even feature built-in heating mechanisms. Read online reviews or ask a sales associate at a local mattress store for recommendations.
Smart Lighting Systems
Smart lighting systems can help you to manage natural and artificial light in your bedroom. You can program these systems to brighten up your space slowly in the morning to simulate sunrise, or dim your space in the evening to get you ready for sleep. You can usually control these systems with smartphone apps or smart home devices.