One easy trick can help bedrooms stay warm without central heating

With energy bills climbing and many households said to be avoiding central heating, keeping a bedroom comfortable need not cost anything.

As colder weather draws nearer, making sure the home stays warm becomes a bigger concern. Turning up the heat can bring relief, but with energy costs soaring for many families, practical savings tips are especially useful.

Some households have reportedly decided against using central heating because of rising bills. Cold rooms can also affect health and disrupt sleep, but staying cosy does not always mean relying on the boiler.

Lisa Davis, a product adviser at Opera Beds, has shared a number of low-cost ways to keep a bedroom warmer through winter without changing the thermostat. One of them costs nothing at all: simply rearrange the furniture.

If you would rather not turn up the heating, there are more affordable ways to stay warm (Image: Getty)

Placing the bed against an interior wall is usually the best option, since those walls are less exposed to changes in temperature and can help maintain a steadier level of warmth overnight. It is also wise to keep the bed away from windows, as even well-insulated ones can let out heat and bring in draughts.

Furniture should not be positioned in front of radiators, as this can limit how well they work. Putting a rug on a hard floor can also help by adding insulation and reducing heat loss.

Another free way to retain warmth is to close the curtains at the right time. Once it gets dark, the curtains should be drawn to help keep heat inside.

Using central heating heavily during winter can be costly (Image: Getty)

Curtains with thermal lining are especially useful for stopping cold air from coming through windows.

Thicker fabrics such as wool, velvet, or fleece are among the best choices for holding in warmth. If funds are limited, a shower curtain placed behind the existing curtains can provide an extra layer against the cold.

It is also important to block draughts around windows and doors with weather stripping and window film, as this can make a much bigger difference than many people realise.

To find draughts in the home, check for moving air around doors, windows, floorboards, beams, skirting boards, and air-conditioning units. A simple test is to hold a lit match near possible gaps and watch for any flicker.

Keeping the doors of unused rooms shut helps concentrate warmth where it is needed most, while a draught excluder can stop cold air getting in under the door.