Cold Weather Bedding Essentials: How to Layer a Bed for Winter in 5 Steps

Ready to stay warm this season...without spending an arm and a leg on heating?

For those of us who’ve braved cooler climates only to be met with horrendously high energy bills, fear not! Adding these cold weather bedding essentials to the mix will do wonders when it comes to staving off chills — and all without touching your thermostat!

That’s right! You can forget all about those energy-consuming electric blankets, space heaters, and heated mattress pads. In this blog, we’ll teach you how to layer a bed for winter in no time with cozy, electricity-free additions that’ll help you effortlessly turn up the temperature of any room.

Without further ado, here are 5 easy ways to stay warm with winter bedding:

1. Warm up with a Winter Duvet

One of the best ways to make sure you’re properly insulated this season is to swap out your duvet. That means choosing one designed with extra warmth in mind!

Lofty, lightweight down provides natural insulation that breathes, making it the perfect fill for some wintertime warmth. All you need to do is look for a down duvet with a higher fill power to know you’re on the right track!

Not sure what fill power means? This value refers to how voluminous and fluffy or “lofty” a duvet is, and corresponds with the amount of air and body heat a duvet can trap to keep you cozy and comfortable. For more details, check out our duvet guide to learn everything you need to know before making a purchase.

If you're looking for recommendations, our Imperial White Goose Down Duvet and Cachet Hungarian Goose Down Duvet are two fabulous options that stay oh-so-toasty during the colder months, thanks to their high quality fill. White goose down is known as the loftiest down fill available on the market, and both duvets have fill powers over 650. For the ultimate cold weather sleep, look no further than our Legacy Hutterite White Goose Down Duvet, which boasts an 800+ fill power.

As far as alternatives go, our Meridian Mulberry Silk Duvet is a great natural fiber substitute. This natural fiber excels at regulating temperature, wicking away moisture, and sealing in warmth while still remaining breathable, so you can stay warm at night without problem.

No matter what you end up choosing, just know that it pays to perfect your base layer!

2. Cover it All in Cozy

The next step to help you seal in warmth? Opt for a duvet cover made from a thicker and richer material!

Similar to how wearing a knit sweater keeps you warmer than a cotton t-shirt would, choosing a heavier material for your duvet cover is better for staying comfortable this time of year. Besides refreshing your space’s style and adding some extra oomph to your bed, using a decadent material helps enhance whatever insulating powers lie inside.

Whether that means reaching for a design made from jacquard fabric, which provides extra warmth by way of a thicker weave and higher thread counts, or choosing a duvet cover made from a heavier and more substantial material such as quilted jersey, flannel, or velvet. There is no shortage of options you can use to bolster the insulating power of your duvet...all while upping your interior ante at the same time!

3. Make Flannel Your Foundation

Once you’ve got your base layer (and its cover) down pat, the next step to welcoming in some weather-defying warmth is to reach for flannel bedding. More specifically, a flannel sheet set!

Like bringing your favourite flannel shirt back into rotation, incorporating flannel sheets into your winter wares adds that perfect soft touch to your seasonal set-up. In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to turn their flannel bedding swapover into a bit of a winter tradition.

Made with ultra plush triple-brushed cotton, this fabric option for fitted sheets and pillowcases captures the spirit of the season with its rich colours, playful patterns, and blissfully snug finish. Its fuzzy brushed surface traps more air than regular cotton, which is why this material is a favourite for this time of year.

Check out our flannel shop for all the amazing styles you can use to stay warm in bed!

4. Layer Like You Just Don’t Care

Rather than relying on just one thick comforter or duvet, try creating layers instead. The idea is to build layers of insulation, locking in body heat so you can keep warm and comfortable all night long. 

Layers are also a great warming option compared to sleeping with a singular thick layer, because if they do become too toasty at any point during the night, you can remove them in a flash. Incorporating natural, breathable fibers that wick away moisture is another great way to welcome warmth without overdoing it.

To get the most out of your insulating efforts, try alternating between thinner and thicker textures for your top layers until you find the perfect combination for you. 

Here’s the deal: the options are pretty much endless. It really all depends on your own style, your existing room decor, and your personal preferences for fabric. That’s precisely why experimenting with layers is so much fun! You can create the perfect sleeping situation without burning through your wallet. Check out the rest of our blankets, quilts, and throws for more cozy layering inspo!

5. Add In Warming Accessories

We know we’ve been talking about different materials and layers when it comes to keeping warm in the bedroom, but don’t be fooled! Though these are the best options for investing in your overall sleeping environment, there’s more than one way to stay nice and toasty at night.

You see, one of the best ways to defend against chilly winter bedrooms is to spring for warming accessories.

By this, we mean accessories that will introduce extra warmth regardless of the fabric or material used.

Let’s start with a time-tested classic: the hot water bottle! Filling this handy accessory with hot (but not boiling) water and tucking it into your bed for a good 5 to 10 minutes before you crawl in is a foolproof way to get some much-needed warmth. For longer-lasting heating action, you can cuddle up to it or keep it close to your feet to help you fall asleep warmer and stay asleep longer.

A similar method involves using microwavable accessories (aptly called bed warmers) to add warmth to your resting space. Whether you choose to purchase one or make a DIY version yourself (using scrap fabric from our reusable luxury sheet/duvet cover bags and rice, dried corn, or buckwheat), all you need to do is heat them in the microwave for 3- 3 ½ minutes before they’re ready to be nestled under your covers.

And last but not least? Wear socks!

Yes, we mean wear them to bed!

While this might sound obvious, ridiculous, or even unimaginable ( depending on how staunch you are with your nighttime preferences), wearing socks to bed is actually a super easy way to stay warm. The habit helps your body regulate its temperature by facilitating vasodilation in your extremities, which allows your body heat to redistribute more effectively by encouraging blood flow. That’s a major win for any cold-stricken circulatory system!

(Pro tip: put moisturizer on before the socks to soothe sore heels!)

If you have... cold feet...about this tip, that’s okay. Just know that if you do give it a shot, all it takes is two socks!

There you have it: the perfect 5-step formula for keeping warm without inflating your heating bill this winter!

For a list of cold weather bedding essentials personalized to your needs, or for more detailed instructions on how to best layer a bed for winter, book a free consultation with one of our sleep stylists. You can also head to any of our 75+ locations across Canada to get a feel for these warming layers yourself.

Happy reheating!