Expert reveals the exact date you should switch to a winter duvet

As we wave goodbye to milder climes and brace for the chill, it seems swapping out our summer bedding should be on the agenda. Expert Chloe Barrow from Laura James has crunched weather data from the last five years to pinpoint the ideal time for snuggling under a thicker winter duvet.

The interiors guru shed light on the recent trends, noting: “There has been an average temperature drop of 3.5 degrees Celsius from September to October over the last five years. However, we can see that as temperatures on average have been rising, this drop has kept the average temperature above 12 degrees over the past three years. It’s only when we look at the October to November numbers that we see consistent drops to under 10 degrees Celsius.”

In tune with the dropping mercury, specialists are encouraging a seasonal home refresh to fend off the cold. With cosiness and cost in mind, Barrow advises the switch to a high-tog duvet.

Discussing the timeline, she said: “According to the data and our predictions, this is set to be later than ever before in 2024. This year, I would recommend swapping your duvet tog from your summer to winter one on Monday, October 14.”

The expert shared her insights, saying: “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.”

For those pondering which tog to purchase, she advises that for well-insulated homes, a duvet with a tog rating between nine and 10.5 is sufficient for early autumn chill. “Otherwise, I would opt for a 13.5 tog for extra warmth and comfort overnight”, she suggests.

For homes lacking central heating, the expert recommends going for a 15 tog, the highest widely available tog rating. She wraps up her advice by stating: “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. If you have an ottoman bed, this can be really helpful for storing multiple duvets so you can swap them out as needed throughout the seasons.”