I’m a sleep expert who hates getting into a cold bed – this 2p per hour winter warmer is my saviour at this time of year

by Furnishly | Dec 4, 2025 | Design Inspiration

It’s December, and that means cold winter weather, and my pet peeve about this time of year: getting into a cold bed at night.

Now, as Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor, I’m lucky enough to have one of the best duvets on the market on my bed, so I’m always lovely and cosy once I’m *in* bed, but there’s still that first few minutes of getting into a bed with cold sheets to contend with.

Luckily, I have a solution, and it doesn’t mean cranking the thermostat up and spending a small fortune on heating the house.

Ever since I tested it for our guide to the best electric blankets, the Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket has been my go-to for particularly cold nights. And the good news is it only costs a few pence an hour to run.

During the past four years of testing where to buy bedding, I have learned some hacks to help combat those initial bedtime shivers – swapping my summer cotton bedding for a snuggly brushed cotton fitted sheet and adding the best linen bedding to my bed is now my go-to October through March – but still, there are some nights even that doesn’t do the trick.

The exact figures for how much it costs to run an electric blanket will depend on your energy rates, but last time I totted up how much this heated blanket cost me, it was less than 2p per hour. To my mind, that’s a small price to pay to combat the dread of climbing into an icy, cold bed this winter.

Now, if you’re looking for an electric blanket to use on your bed for a good few months of winter, I still definitely recommend the Dreamland Snowed In Dual-Control Mattress Protector. It’s by *far* the best electric blanket I’ve tested, and has retained its crown as my #1 recommendation in our guide for the past two years.

The only problem (other than the Dreamland electric blankets’ £140 price tag) is that I’m an awkward customer.

Despite the fact that I hate that cold chill on the sheets in winter, I’m also a hot sleeper, and being peri-menopausal definitely doesn’t help. That means that once I get warm in bed, I’m likely to keep getting warmer and warmer, and then overheat if I have an electric blanket on the bed all night.

And I’ve found that even if the heated blanket comes with a timer that I can programme to shut off after half an hour so (like the Dreamland Snowed In Dual-Control Mattress Protector does), the fact that every electric blanket I’ve tested hides the electrical wires in polyester wadding means I can still overheat.

I sleep on a mattress filled with natural, breathable materials (the Hypnos Pillow Top Select mattress), have a wool-filled duvet on my bed for its fantastic breathability (the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Wool Duvet), and use bedding made from cotton or linen rather than synthetic fibres, all in a bid to prevent the overheating that happens the minute I add the hidden sleep thief that is polyester to my bed.

Call me high-maintenance, but I’ve found adding an electric blanket under my fitted sheet during the winter disrupts all that hard work (and investment – natural fibres aren’t cheap) that I’ve put into creating a breathable bed that offers my body good temperature regulation and a better night’s sleep.

For me, the solution has been to slip this budget-friendly Silentnight electric blanket between my duvet cover and fitted sheet for twenty minutes or so before I get into bed on a cold night. I then slide it out before I get into bed.

The bonus is that it also means I don’t have to have messy cables protruding from my bed day in and day out over the winter. And although this budget electric blanket doesn’t have a timer, if you don’t fancy making the trip upstairs to turn the blanket on 20 minutes before bed, I tend to pop it into the bed earlier in the evening and then use a smart plug that I can turn on or off via my phone whilst I’m sitting downstairs on the sofa. Any of these smart plugs from Amazon will do the trick.

Plus, did I mention this little bit of winter kindness costs less than 2p for the time I have it on the bed? I think that’s an investment that’s well worth making to make the cold winter weather a little more bearable.

Shop alternatives

Habitat has quietly dropped new Morris & Co homeware, and I can’t stop lusting after this cosy throw in one of William Morris’ most iconic prints

by Furnishly | Dec 4, 2025 | Design Inspiration

Habitat has just quietly added a stunning new addition to its iconic Morris & Co collection: the Habitat x Morris & Co. Strawberry Thief Throw (£65), and I think its plush, cosy look is perfect for the long winter months ahead.

It’s no secret that I’ve been a huge fan of the Habitat x Morris & Co collaboration, as it time and time again proves that the renowned Arts and Crafts designer will always have a place within the biggest home decor trends – William Morris simply never goes out of style.

While I coveted high-ticket items such as William Morris bedding or the sell-out Sunflower Armchair, the soft furnishings are also worthy of fanfare. In particular, the Strawberry Thief Throw is a real treat for the eyes and is representative of one of William Morris’ most famous designs.

I’m always excited to see new Habitat x Morris & Co products arrive online and in store. In my humble opinion, Habitat is one of the best places to shop for William Morris decor. |The Habitat x Morris & Co. Strawberry Thief Throw is a perfect example of how Habitat is able to modernise the classic design, without losing any of its original charm.

The stunning throw is made with a palette of rich reds, pinks, oranges and a splash of green, to create a beautifully seasonal design. It’s padded, too, which makes it an optimum bit of kit for Cosymaxxing this winter.

Not to mention that quilted and patchwork throws have been a huge trend this autumn since they not only look wonderfully cosy, but do an amazing job at keeping us warm. But, of course, what stood out to me the most was the beautiful pattern on the throw, the iconic Strawberry Thief print.

‘The ‘Strawberry Thief’ is a textile design that was produced by William Morris in 1883. The print was inspired by the thrushes who regularly stole strawberries from his garden at Kelmscott Manor, in Oxfordshire,’ explains interior design expert Ethan Fox, from Furniture World. ‘William worked on the design for months before figuring out how to successfully print it onto textiles. The fabric is still used today on cushions, throws, wallpaper and even tea cups. In fact, the print is the most popular item in the V&A museum shop.’

‘The pattern remains so popular to this day due to its intricate design and ability to tell a story, which has made it a popular staple in many British homes. The print has a timeless aesthetic that is able to complement a range of different interiors, from modern to traditional. Furthermore, due to its well-recognised nature, it can instantly upgrade the appearance of a room by adding a touch of sophistication and luxury,’ he adds.

With its rich, red colour palette, Habitat’s Strawberry Thief throw has been redesigned to suit modern tastes, without ignoring its heritage. Its warm colour palette is in line with the biggest colour trends of the year, without losing any of the print’s original style or charm.

‘Habitat’s recent Strawberry Thief blanket is a brilliant example of how a heritage pattern can be updated for today. The deep red palette gives it a lush, almost regal presence, and the velvet reverse adds a tactile, indulgent quality, creating a piece that hints at its history while reading as confidently modern, striking the balance between something both familiar and fresh,’ says Rossella Marzocchella, Interior Designer at Decor and Decor.

‘A throw like this can instantly transform a neutral sofa or bedspread, introducing pattern and texture with no permanent commitment and offering the perfect way to experiment with style without having to overhaul an entire room.’

Shop Habitat x Morris & Co

I have genuinely been lusting over the Habitat x Morris & Co. Strawberry Thief Throw since I first spotted it, vowing to snap it up on payday. Has it caught your eye, too?

Teddy bedding, step aside! Next’s adorable robin fleece bedding set is the cosiest I’ve seen – it will keep you warm well into 2026

by Furnishly | Nov 22, 2025 | Design Inspiration

One of the redeeming features of chilly weather is that it allows you to snuggle up in warm, cosy bedding, and I’ve just found the cutest set at Next. Their White Christmas Robin Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set (£50) is easily the most adorable set I’ve seen all winter, and it will keep you warm well into 2026.

If you’ve been wondering where to buy bedding this winter, I’d recommend keeping Next on your radar as the brand has dropped a huge range of stunning wintery designs. Plus, with many made from warm, fluffy fleece material, it feels like perfect timing since the temperatures have plummeted.

But the design I’m most taken with is easily the robins. A homage to the UK’s favourite bird (according to the RSPB), this bedding set is the perfect gift for yourself this winter.

Robins, also affectionately known as the gardener’s friend, are a welcome and delightful sight on a dreary winter’s day. It’s easy to see why so many of us want to know how to attract robins to our gardens, but I say: why stop there?

Next’s White Christmas Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set introduces this cheerful bird to your bedroom ideas in the most charming way. The bedding set could easily pass as a canvas, as it depicts little embroidered robins making footprints in the snowy white fleece material. This gives the bedding set a 3D element that makes it a standout in my opinion.

I’m also very intrigued by the fleece material used to make the bedding set. I’m no stranger to using brushed cotton bedding or fluffy bedding – Dunelm’s cult Teddy Duvet Cover and Pillow Case Set in Cream (£22) is currently on my bed- to keep warm during the winter. And I have to say, I believe fleece bedding will do the job just as effectively. After all, it’s always a trusty fleece I reach for when bracing the cold.

Next describes the soft, fluffy fleece material they use as feeling like being ‘wrapped in a warm hug on a chilly evening.’ Although the set currently only has one review, it is a five-star rating.

‘I bought this new xmas bedding and it’s the best. It is the warmest and most snuggly teddy duvet and pillow case. It also looks so Christmasy,’ it says.

To save you the hassle, I’ve reviewed the reviews of Next’s other fleece bedding sets, and one thing seems to ring true – it’s soft, snuggly and warm.

‘Superb. Beautiful design, super soft and snuggly, washes well. Love it,’ said one, commenting on the Red Check Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set (from £25).

‘This is a lovely, soft and comfortable duvet cover, and my daughter loves it. Washes well. Keeps you warm and snug on the colder nights,’ another said of the Natural Bertie and Moose Christmas Fleece Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set (From £25).

Amongst the beautiful styles, the robins are without doubt my favourite. However, the rest of the collection is too good to miss, so I’ve rounded up a few more styles to shop.

Investing in some decent fleece bedding will not only keep you warm this winter, but put a smile on your face, too, every time you look at the gaggle of robins hopping over your bedspread.

I’ve uncovered the bedding iconic 5-star hotel Claridge’s uses – this is how to recreate the luxury feel for just £55

by Furnishly | Nov 18, 2025 | Design Inspiration

When it comes to upgrading your sleep setup or impressing guests this festive hosting season, it pays to take tips from the experts. As such, I’ve uncovered the bedding that iconic luxury hotel Claridge’s uses in its 5-star hotel rooms.

And, although this hotel-quality bedding does come with a fairly hefty price tag, I’ve also found a way to recreate the luxury hotel experience at home for far less. All thanks to good old M&S.

Yep, although the duvet Claridges uses on its beds will set you back upwards of £165, thanks to Marks & Spencer’s Duck Feather & Down Duvet, there’s a way to recreate a luxury hotel experience at home from just £55.

In the past century, Claridge’s hotel has become a national landmark, with a reputation for being *the* place to indulge in a luxurious night away from home. Regularly frequented by the rich and famous, a one-night stay at Claridge’s hotel costs from around £800 to £3,500 per night for a room.

Naturally, a luxury hotel room equals luxury bedding, with Claridge’s choosing to use the Tiele Savoy Feather and Down Duvet on its beds.

As Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor, I’ve tested a whole host of the best duvets on the market, including multiple feather and down options, and I can attest to the fact that this duvet fill is the ideal choice if you’re after a touch of luxury.

A feather and down duvet is light, fluffy, and airy, and a good quality option really does feel like curling up under a cloud when bedtime rolls around.

This type of duvet filling is also super insulating, so it’s a great option for cold sleepers. Because it’s so squishy and malleable, feathers and down are also perfect for tucking in around your body to keep out any cool draughts, so it’s a great choice for winter.

The main downside of a feather and down duvet is its price. The Tiele duvet Claridge’s uses starts at £165 for a double, and £195 for a king-size. However, thankfully, good old M&S has a way to achieve this luxury hotel feel for a lot less.

The Tiele Savoy Feather and Down Duvet is a mix of 70% duck feather and 30% duck down, and comes in either a 10.5 tog or 4.5 tog warmth level.

In contrast, the Marks & Spencer Duck Feather & Down Duvet offers a 85% duck feather and 15% duck down mix. That means it’s not quite as light, and not quite as squishy, but I think it still does a great job of adding a touch of luxury to the bed, and prices start at just £55 for a double.

You also get more warmth options, with this M&S feather and down duvet available in a 7.5, 10.5, and 13.5 tog, plus an all-seasons option.

And, with over 2000 5-star reviews across all tog options, Marks & Spencer’s shoppers certainly seem to be convinced this budget-friendly feather and down duvet is a winner.

Shop luxury bedding

As one 5-star reviewer of the M&S Duck Feather & Down Duvet says, ‘this duvet is brilliant, it is so comfortable; light but warm’. ‘Keeps you nice and warm without being too heavy,’ agrees another happy owner.

‘Once you’ve had a feather duvet, you can’t go back,’ shares a third Marks & Spencer reviewer, ‘I love it’.

If you’re looking to recreate a 5-star hotel sleep experience at home, I’m all for taking tips from Claridge’s. However, if you’re on a budget, I think this affordable M&S feather and down duvet is definitely the way to do it.