Winter Sleep Tips for NZ

Winters in New Zealand aren't the coldest in the world, but when sleeping in a home without proper insulation, you will feel a deep chill all the same. When the temperature drops and the power bill climbs, staying cosy in bed without blowing the budget becomes a real skill. The good news is that most of the best winter sleep tips NZ households swear by cost very little, and a fair few cost nothing at all. Here is how to sleep warm through the cold months without dreading the next invoice from your power company.

Setup your bed for warmth from the bottom, not the top

Most of us resort to adding more blankets on a chilly July night. In reality, a substantial amount of heat escapes downwards into the mattress and the cold air beneath the bed. A wool underlay or a mattress topper works like insulation for your bed, trapping warmth where you want it and taking the chill off. It is worth knowing that some mattress materials hold heat better than others, too. Denser foams tend to retain warmth, while very breathable spring beds can feel cooler, which is brilliant in January and less welcome in July.

Consider adding the humble electric blanket

Sleeping warm on a budget is more achievable than you may expect. If you want the biggest warmth-per-dollar win, it is hard to beat an electric blanket. Despite their reputation, they are remarkably cheap to run, costing only around three to four cents an hour based on Consumer NZ figures. Compare that with a plug-in heater running all night.

One common approach is to switch it on twenty or thirty minutes before bed to take the chill off the sheets, then turn it off once you are tucked in. Fire and Emergency New Zealand recommends switching electric blankets off before you fall asleep, and a model with a timer makes that effortless. These are the sort of practical sleep tips for winter that require minimal effort.

Move your bed away from the cold

Where your bed sits in the room matters more than most people realise. A bed pushed hard against an exterior wall or sitting under a draughty window loses heat to those cold surfaces all night long. Shifting it even a little towards an interior wall can make a noticeable difference, and it costs you nothing but a few minutes of rearranging. If moving the bed is not an option, a solid, padded headboard acts as a barrier between you and the cold wall behind it.

Beat the damp, not just the cold

Cold is only half the problem in a Kiwi winter. Damp air feels colder than dry air at the same temperature, and it makes bedding feel clammy no matter how many layers you pile on top. Airing the room during the day, then closing it up before evening, helps keep moisture down and makes the space far easier to warm. A dry bedroom feels warmer for free, and your existing bedding suddenly works a good deal harder.

Bonus tips for sleeping warm in New Zealand

Not every winter sleep tip is about buying something new or taking a trip to the shops.
* A hot water bottle can make all the difference in keeping your body warm and regulated. Place it on your stomach or at your feet.
* Thick socks and proper winter pyjamas are also more effective at trapping heat.
* Closing the curtains well before bedtime helps keep the day's residual warmth in.

Ready to sleep warm all winter?

Sometimes the chill you're feeling has nothing to do with the weather outside; it's what's underneath and around you in bed. Getting warm doesn't mean overhauling everything at once. A better duvet or a decent wool underlay can make a bigger difference than simply turning on a heater.

At Bed Warehouse, we've been helping Kiwis sleep better since 1978, sourcing factory-direct so you're not paying for a middleman's markup. Browse our range online, or give us a call on 09 444 9356. Our team can help you find the bed that matches your sleep style.