How to add warmth to a bedroom?

Making your bedroom look and feel warm is a fantastic project to undertake in autumn/winter, and there are several ways to go about it. 

You can add literal warmth to your bedroom with an electric heater and electric mattress topper and then add visual warmth with warm colours and lighting, heavy textures, and warming scents to give it a cosy and inviting feel. 

Combining proper physical warmth with a few sensory elements will give your bedroom a seasonal lift, making it snug and ready for cold weather. Join us below to discover the best ways to make your bedroom comforting during the colder months.

Physical warmth tips for your bedroom

These are the best ways to make your bedroom warm:

Warm mattress

Some mattresses trap heat better than others. Memory foam is excellent at retaining heat, and you can get memory foam mattresses with a winter/summer side to ensure optimal comfort all year (flip the mattress to suit the season!). 

Fabric bed

Pictured: Flintshire Montana Sleigh Bed Frame. Available from Bedstar.

A fabric (or upholstered) bed gives you a warm headboard to sleep against at night and eliminates cold surfaces from your sleep zone. For a traditional look, check out sleigh beds and add ottoman storage for all your bedding. 

Electric heater

Fan heaters are the most efficient way to actively heat your bedroom. A 1kW heater will warm your bedroom by several degrees and cost peanuts to run for an hour. Get one with a thermostat to maintain a pleasant temperature.

Heated mattress topper

A heated mattress topper is the best solution if you hate getting into a cold bed – just turn it on 20 minutes before you get in, and the problem is solved. For gentle heat, you can even leave the topper on ‘low’ on freezing nights.

Heated blanket 

A heated blanket will give you something warm and fuzzy to cuddle in and outside your bedroom. The best blankets have battery power for constant heat after unplugging but are more expensive. 

Banish draughts

Seal your bedroom door with a draught-excluding kit to prevent heat from escaping into the hallway. Seal up your window to prevent the same from happening outside. Add thick curtains and a blackout blind to create a barrier between you and window draughts.

Visual warmth tips for your bedroom

You can make your bedroom look warmer with these tips:

Wooden bed frame

Wood has inherent warmth, both visually and to the touch. Its natural hues bring a rich, tactile cosiness to your bedroom. A wooden bed frame is a fantastic place to start. Add other wooden furniture to complete the look.

Pictured: Flintshire Pentre 4FT 6 Double Bed Frame. Available Bedstar.

Layered bed

A layered bed with a thick throw, heavily textured cushions, and a stack of books on a bedside table will give your bedroom a warm atmosphere. Make it the traditional way with a flat sheet and a thick winter duvet with brushed cotton bedding. 

Pictured: Limelight Rosa 4FT 6 Double Fabric Bed Frame – Blush. Available Bedstar.

Warm colours

Orange, yellow, red, and purple in muted, pastel tones provide a modern way to decorate your bedroom for warmth. Painting all your walls in a muted tone will make your bedroom feel more homely – perfect for winter. 

Warm lighting

Warm white lighting is similar to the glow of a sunset or candlelight. To inject some warmth into your bedroom on the cheap, use candles and swap out your cool white light bulbs for yellow ones between 2,000 and 3,000K (Kelvin).

Window treatments

Basketweave curtains and heavy drapes will make your bedroom look cosy and textured. They also act as a barrier against cold windows and noise, helping to maintain a warm and quiet environment for better sleep quality.