The living room on a cold evening on the sofa
Short answer: A cold evening on the sofa is about staying warm without getting too warm. Soft layers, a blanket over your legs and a sofa that does not stand against a cold outside wall make the evening comfortable and the move to bed easier.
Why you feel colder when you sit still
When the body is moving, the muscles produce heat. If you sit still for several hours in front of the television or with a book, heat production drops and you start to feel cold, even though nobody has touched the thermostat. That is completely normal. The answer is rarely to turn up the radiator, but to add an extra layer or put a blanket over your legs. That keeps the warmth close to the body, where it is actually needed.
Loungewear that works all evening
Many people change into something soft when they get home. If that loungewear can double as sleepwear, there is no need to change again before bed. Pyjamas with long sleeves and long legs are good on the sofa, and a thin T-shirt underneath means you can take off a layer if it gets too warm. See bamboo sleepwear for men if you are looking for sets in a soft and light fibre that work from evening until morning.
Where the sofa stands in the room
A sofa placed right up against a cold outside wall or under a window picks up the chill from the wall and the cold air that falls down from the glass. Just ten centimetres of space from the wall can make a difference. If the radiator sits under the window, make sure the sofa does not block it, as the heat cannot circulate around the room otherwise. A rug on the floor in front of the sofa keeps your feet warmer as well.
The blanket over your legs
A light blanket is often enough. Choose one that is large enough to cover you from hip to feet so there are no cold gaps. Fleece and wool give a lot of warmth, while a thinner viscose knit feels light and does not leave your legs sweaty. If your feet are cold, put on a pair of socks rather than wrapping yourself up even more. The feet are often the first place where the body starts saving heat when it feels chilly.
From sofa to bed
If you fall asleep on the sofa and wake up cold, it can be hard to get back to sleep. Go to bed when you feel tired, and have the bed ready. A fresh cover on the duvet and pillow makes it pleasant to slip in. See bamboo envelope sheets and bamboo pillowcases, which feel smooth and cool against the skin and are easy to change.
Warmth and air in the living room
A living room with many people or lit candles quickly gets warm and dry. Air the room briefly a couple of times during the evening so the air stays fresh without the room cooling right down. Five minutes with the windows open is enough. Keep a steady temperature of around 20 to 21 degrees in the living room so you are not switching between too warm and too cold all evening.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I get cold on the sofa when the room is warm
When you sit still, your muscles make less heat. An extra layer or a blanket helps more than turning up the heating.
Can I wear sleepwear as loungewear
Yes. Many people wear a soft sleepwear set all evening and go straight to bed without changing.
How warm should the living room be
Around 20 to 21 degrees is comfortable for most people when sitting still for a long time.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
