It's official: electric blankets are making a comeback as money-conscious millennials look for ways to keep their bedrooms warm and cosy at a minimal cost.
Formerly a 1970s staple, the electric blanket is now surging in popularity as we embrace autumn and approach the winter months, and according to new data by beds retailer Silentnight, electric blanket sales have increased by a staggering 400 per cent in the past week.
Brits aged 25-34 are most likely to own an electric blanket; while 48 per cent of the nation's electric blankets are owned by those aged 18-34, Silentnight reveals.
An electric blanket can heat a bedroom for less than one pence per night; an especially welcome cost saving in the wake of the pandemic, and even more so following reports that home working and lockdown guidelines could see household energy bills rise by up to 18 per cent this winter, totalling £1.9 billion in additional bills nationwide between October 2020 and March 2021.
Because electric blankets can create a cosy wintertime bedroom for a low cost, students and young families on tight budgets can heat their home during the coldest part of the year without breaking the bank.
Silentnight Comfort Control Electric Blanket - Double
Hayley Chaytor, spokesperson for Silentnight, comments: 'While you might typically expect electric blankets to be more popular with the elderly or those who are nostalgic for the 70s and 80s; in fact, they’re becoming something of a heating hack for young Brits who love the cosy atmosphere they create and the bill-busting running costs they offer in comparison to traditional central heating or plug in heaters.'
Silentnight's Comfort Control Electric Blanket costs from just £22.99 and has three heat settings, so sleepers can select their ideal temperature. 'The blanket is rigorously tested so it's safe for all night use, can be machine washed and comes with a three-year warranty,' explain Silentnight.
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19 Christmas bedding sets to buy for the festive season
This vintage-inspired Santa print is guaranteed to bring some cheer to your home this festive season. We love the fact that the reversible side features this year's biggest trend – bows – too.
Get set for the festive season with this must-have winter scene duvet set. Adorned with skiers and pine trees, it's sure to put everyone in the Christmas mood.
This wonderful forest green duvet set features a tufted Christmas tree pattern that is perfect for the festive season, making it a rather sophisticated choice for your bedroom.
Get into the merry spirit with silhouettes of Christmas trees, robins and snowflakes on this understated grey and white bedding set.
Curl up on a winter's evening with this Scandi-inspired festive duvet set. One of our favourites, it has been made from crisp polycotton and features all things Christmas. Have you added it to your wishlist?
We're big fans of the pretty holly and mistletoe design on this bedding from Julian Charles. Not only would it go perfectly with almost any decor scheme, but it's currently on sale with around 70 per cent off each size. What a steal!
Traditional homes will love this stag bedding set, in a neutral beige colourway which pairs well with brighter colours or patterns in the rest of the bedroom. It can also be flipped over to reveal a red and white tartan pattern.
We like the teal and white colourway here, making for a stylishly festive duvet cover. It features an array of patterns, from Christmas trees to snowflakes, stars, baubles and reindeer. It's reversible too.
This winter wonderland bedding set will have you desperate to snuggle up in bed this festive season. With an array of Christmas motifs – from festive jumpers to trees and foliage – it will make any bedroom in your home feel incredibly cosy.
This delightful 100 per cent cotton fair isle duvet cover is adorned with festive snowflakes and reindeer patterns, and works particularly well with Nordic-inspired interiors.
Designed with an all-over print of winter florals, foliage and some adorable woodland deer, this cotton duvet cover set from H&M Home is the ideal festive addition to rooms with a neutral scheme, and is perfect for those who don't want Christmas bedding that's overly festive.
For those who love the excitement of the countdown to Christmas, you won't get much better than this '12 Days of Christmas' bedding set. Featuring fun illustrations of each of the 12 days, it's an enjoyable way to mark the days before 25th December – especially if you have guests staying ahead of the big day itself!
Or, if you'd rather count down the 25 days to Christmas, this wonderful advent calendar-inspired motif is a real delight. And we have a feeling it will make December feel all the more magical.
Kids and adults alike will love this muted polar bear bedding, made of a flannelette material for an ultra-cosy snooze. While the polar bear motifs are utterly adorable, you can also reverse this bedding for a less festive star design for the rest of the year.
Ideal for those long, cold winter nights, this colourful festive bedding set features the scene of a town at Christmas on one side and a sweet snowflake design on the other.
For those who prefer a traditional look around the festive season, you can't go wrong with this checked bedding option from Matalan. A classic for a reason, this red and green tartan print bedding set will never go out of style, and will even work during the rest of the winter months. It's also made of snug brushed cotton to keep you extra warm on particularly chilly nights.
This one is for dog lovers! Featuring a selection of adorable breeds all decked out for the holidays, Marks & Spencer's cotton blend bedding also has a white and red star motif on the reverse and comes with two matching pillowcases.
Featuring a selection of festive gonks, this fun Christmas bedding set is brilliant for adults and children alike. Have you got yours yet?
If you want just a subtle hint of Christmas in your home this December, this sweet penguin duvet cover is the perfect buy for you. With adorable clusters of furry penguins on an otherwise all-white bedding set, it'll suit even the sleekest, most stylish homes.
