Heat home 5C warmer without touching thermostat with little-known method hotels use

Hotels use this trick to keep the room warm (Image: Getty)

Heating your home without cranking up the thermostat in winter feels near-impossible, with radiators seemingly the only thing to generate heat.

However, experts say there is a little-known hack that hotels use to make your bedroom feel up to 5°C warmer — and there’s no need to adjust the thermostat.

Elite property experts from Luxury Serviced Apartments claim that high-end hotels have been using this insider secret for years to keep guests cosy, no matter the season.

The experts, who specialise in designing high-end living spaces, revealed that top-tier hotels focus on heat retention rather than simply increasing heating output.

One of the biggest culprits of heat loss are windows, with up to 40% of a home's heat escapes through windows, even when they’re closed, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Hotels counteract this by positioning curtains and bedding to create a barrier from the cold — a trick you can easily replicate at home.

How to make your room feel 5C warmer

1. Close your curtains before sunset

• Heat loss through windows accelerates as the temperature drops outside. Closing your curtains before the evening chill sets in helps trap residual warmth from the day.

• Thick, insulated curtains work best, but even standard ones create a barrier against cold drafts.

2. Tuck your curtains behind your radiator 

• Many people let their curtains drape over radiators, but this actually traps heat against the window instead of letting it circulate into the room.

• Hotels ensure that radiators are unobstructed, allowing heat to spread efficiently.

• Simply tuck your curtains behind the radiator or opt for shorter curtains that don’t interfere with airflow.

Curtains are closed to keep the heat in (Image: Getty)

3. Layer your bedding like a luxury hotel

• Ever wondered why hotel beds always feel warmer and more inviting? It’s all about strategic layering.

• Instead of relying on one thick duvet, high-end hotels use multiple thin layers, which trap warm air between them and provide better insulation.

• To replicate this at home:

• Use a lightweight thermal blanket beneath your duvet.

• Add a fleece or wool throw on top to enhance warmth.

• Flannel sheets can also make a noticeable difference compared to standard cotton.

4. Place a rug on hardwood or tile floors

• Cold floors absorb heat, making a room feel several degrees colder.

• Hotels use plush carpets and rugs to minimise heat loss and retain warmth in bedrooms.

• A thick area rug near your bed can instantly make the space feel cosier.

5. Rearrange your furniture for maximum warmth

• Heat moves through the air, and poor furniture placement can block warmth.

• Avoid placing large furniture like beds, sofas, or wardrobes in front of radiators, as they absorb heat instead of letting it circulate.

• If possible, move your bed away from exterior walls, as they tend to be colder than interior walls.