As the UK experiences a drop in temperatures, one expert has shared the exact date you should be changing your duvet from summer to winter bedding
With UK temperatures beginning to drop, evenings are becoming distinctly chillier. Nevertheless, one expert cautions against rushing to swap summer bedding for heavier winter duvets.
Chloe Barrow, an interior specialist from Laura James, has identified the optimal timing for this seasonal changeover to guarantee a “comfortable” night’s rest. Her guidance is based on temperature predictions.
She said: “There has been an average temperature drop of 3.1 degrees Celsius from September to October over the last five years. However, we can see that 2024 was the first year since 2020 that October’s average temperature sits at below 12 degrees Celsius.
“However, even if we were to experience this average again in 2025, this isn’t quite cold enough to switch to a winter duvet full time just yet. We should always consider changing to a thicker duvet when we’re experiencing consistent temperatures of 10 degrees Celsius or lower, and it’s only when we look at the October to November numbers that we see consistent drops to under 10 degrees Celsius consistently over the past nine years.”
Consequently, she has identified October 25 as the “exact date” for transitioning to a higher tog duvet. This timing should help you prepare for the anticipated cold spell ahead.
Chloe explained: “According to the data and our predictions, this year I would recommend swapping your duvet tog from your summer to winter one on Saturday 25th October. This is going to ensure you’re having a comfortable night’s sleep just before the predicted late October/early November cold snap hits.”
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Selecting your duvet
Chloe offered advice on picking the right duvet for the autumn and winter months, which generally means choosing a higher tog rating. “Tog” represents “thermal overall grade”, measuring a duvet’s thermal insulation or heat retention capacity.
The greater the tog value, the warmer the duvet. She added: “It’s worth noting that this will differ from home to home. Important things to consider include the insulation of your house.
“For example, if you only have single-glazed windows you may want to change your tog sooner than those that live in properties with double glazing, as you’ll likely feel the cold more.
“Regarding your tog of choice, if your home is well insulated, a tog between nine and 10.5 will suffice for the initial cooler months. Otherwise, I would opt for a 13.5 tog for extra warmth and comfort overnight.
“If you don’t have central heating in your home, choose a 15 tog as this is the highest tog level that is widely available. Although I have given suggestions here, it’s important to choose what works best for you and allows you to have a good night’s sleep.”