UK households urged to make 4 bedroom changes to save on energy bills

UK households have been urged to make four changes to their bedding that will not only help them get a better night’s sleep, but also help reduce energy bills. 

As the seasons roll into autumn and winter, now is the perfect time to start setting up your perfect at-home cosy bed nest. With these four expert tips from Martin Seeley, CEO of MattressNext, your bedroom setup can hit that sweet spot between style and comfort, all the while saving you on those hefty winterbills by not necessarily having your home heating running overnight, ir at least not at such a high temperature. For one, memory foam mattresses may well be your answer – and it’s not just about comfort.

September might be the ideal time to experiment with new colour palettes and duvet textures, but it’s also time to start questioning your mattress choices.

Martin emphasises that the unique qualities of memory foam mattresses make them well worth considering for the colder months.

Sleep educators explain that memory foam is notorious for trapping body heat. 

The body-hugging properties, which make them more likely to absorb and contain the sleeper’s body heat, make them ideal for cooler nights.

Weighted blankets, as opposed to electric blankets that could cost you per hour to run,  provide a warm hug without the extra bills.

Weighing between 4kg and 13kg, the deep touch pressure of a weighted blanket will soothe your nervous system well into the night.

Research suggests that weighted blankets help people with anxiety, autism, and insomnia, but everyone can benefit.

Martin explains: “Not only can it help you sleep better thanks to its grounding effect, but the dense layers of fabric and fillings like glass beads or pellets work to trap heat and create a warm, cosy microenvironment.”

Duvets work by trapping heat from the body. Experts at Ideal Home explain that Tog ratings are not so much about the quality or thickness of the duvet, but instead they tell us about how well a blanket traps warm air. 

Put simply, the warmer the duvet, the warmer it will be. Martin recommends a 10.5 tog duvet for the colder months.

When it comes to clothing choices for colder days, we are often told to layer up. Martin applies the same philosophy to bedding. He recommends a careful “three-layer cake” approach.

It’s the perfect way to combine style and functionality. Martin explains: “Blankets and throws are one of the simplest ways to create a cosy bed setup for autumn and winter.” He recommends sticking to earthy tones and neutrals to maximise cosiness.

The first layer should consist of flannel sheets with a brushed texture. Once you’ve laid the foundation for warmth and comfort, you’ll want to incorporate natural fabrics like cotton or microfiber for your duvet cover with a thicker weave to help retain heat. Martin calls the final layer the “icing”, where you finish with a wool throw to seal in the heat and add a seasonal touch.