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Ways to layer up with cosy winter bedding

Do the cold days and nights make you want to feel cosy under warm comfortable bedding? At this time of year, there's nothing I love more than knowing I’m coming home to a snuggly bed on the dark winter evenings and slipping into some soft PJ's, with a hot chocolate and a Netflix binge.

It’s recommended that we get at least 8 hours sleep a day, to feel refreshed and improve our physical and mental health as well as overall general wellbeing. Getting enough sleep is an essential self-care routine so its important that we create the perfect place to hibernate in considering on average we will spend 229,961 hours of our life in bed.

For this reason, it’s important to ensure that our mattress, duvet and pillows are all supportive of our back and neck as well as for keeping us warm during the night yet not making us too hot that it affects our sleep.

1. Add a mattress topper to provide comfort and support

Now that summer is over, have you added extra layers to your bed to stay warm at night? A great way to make your bed cosy for winter is to start with a mattress topper.

I bought a memory foam mattress topper two years ago on my mom's recommendation because I have back pain and often struggle to sleep. It's the best thing I've ever bought for comfort and support. I noticed the difference in warmth and comfort right away.

Before you do this, I recommend reading reviews for bamboo mattress toppers first as they're not all created equal. Especially if your current mattress is uncomfortable and springy and you need something hypoallergenic. This natural material will be best for you, provide extra comfort and support, and offer the benefit of sustainability due to its bamboo construction.

2. Choose a duvet cover made of breathable fabric to regulate body temperature

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Of course, a bed wouldn't be complete without that perfect duvet set to match your room. But when choosing a duvet cover, it is important to consider the material that it is made from. Cotton, linen and hemp are all breathable fabrics that allow body heat to escape to prevent you from feeling hot and sweaty during the night. As the fibres help to regulate your temperature. However, if you have a throw on the bed too the popular fabrics will help to trap the heat in if you want to be super toasty.

There’s also covers made with a Tencel and cotton blend that naturally draw out excess moisture from the body while you sleep and helps it to evaporate. A fabric I’m not too keen on is polyester, however, like its use in sportswear, it does help to evaporate heat, keeping you cool and dry.

If you fancy creating a luxurious hideaway to hibernate in during the autumn and winter season than Satin duvet covers are perfect for allowing air to flow more freely while keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. Of course, satin does feel lovely against the skin, which may enhance your feeling of peacefulness to encourage a good night’s sleep. The luxury fabric does also have skin and hair benefits too, making it the best all-rounder.

Although satin may not be as fancy as silk, it is the best vegan-friendly option to prevent the pointlessness of silkworms being boiled alive for their silky texture.

3. Get a Duvet suitable for winter with a 10.5-13.5 tog and size-up if you share a bed

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Earlier in the year I stayed at a luxurious 5-star hotel and had the perfect night’s sleep because of how thick and cosy the duvet and mattress were, So, I’ve since tried to recreate it at home, along with the crisp white sheets. I'm not sure what tog rating the duvet was, but for autumn and winter, it's ideal to have a sustainable duvet with a 10.5-13.5 tog to keep in the warmth.

I'm generally too lazy when it comes to making my bed, but for this time of year, I always make sure I make the effort so that I do trap in the heat so that it's not as cold to get into on the night. I also have a super-soft fitted sheet tucked into my mattress, so there's no chance my feet will get cold.

I find that having a textured rug or slippers and socks next to my bed along with a dressing gown helpful to fight off the horrid chill of getting out of bed in the morning.

No offence to my partner, but the best thing I ever did was upgrade my double duvet to a king-size duvet. When you are trying to sleep there’s nothing worse than when your partner is hogging all the duvet and you’re left holding on by the edge with an open chilly breeze.

So instead of having to yank it back and have to listen to him grumble about me waking him up. We now both have plenty of duvet cover so that’s one simple way we improved our sleep. As well as stopping me from wanting to push him out of bed.

4. Find a firm or soft pillow filling that suits your preferred comfort

Sian Victoria © - Scandinavian bedroom interior design, Indoor house plants

When it comes to pillows, I'm picky. They must be thick, and the filling can't be too hard, yet needs to be firm enough so that it is supportive of my neck. There are many types of fillings, either natural ones made of bird feathers which I’ve always been cautious not to buy. Then there are also synthetic ones made of polyester and other types of non-biodegradable materials.

However, there are now a lot more sustainable and eco-friendly options that are not damaging to the environment or animals. Kapok, a vegetable-based fibre from the seed pods of the Kapok tree has quickly gained popularity in the eco-friendly community as its naturally pest-free, quick-drying, hypoallergenic, water and mould resistant.

There are also pillow fillings made from buckwheat hulls, natural latex, eco-friendly cotton and a more sustainable bamboo memory foam pillow that all offer comfort and support.

5. Accessorise with functional throws & cushions to give support and warmth

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Layering up for winter is not just essential to keep you warm but layering up your bed with throws and cushions just completes the overall cosy look and gives it that finishing touch to make you feel more relaxed and at peace.

If you’re like me and spend an hour or two scrolling Instagram every night, having the extra support for my neck from the cushions makes it much more comfortable then just sitting up in bed with the pillows alone.

I find that a V-shaped pillow helps me to keep my posture straight and supports my neck while I’m sitting up in bed. It’s also helpful to cocoon yourself at night while you sleep too by helping you to get in a comfortable position without causing pressure on your arms, legs, spine or neck depending on how you choose to sleep.

6. Set the mood for a cosy winter retreat

Getting your room nice and cosy is as important as throwing extra blankets on your bed. The proper lighting, fragrances, and textures can change your bedroom into a calm oasis, just right for chilling out after a long day. One of the easiest ways to boost this atmosphere is with some fancy custom candles, which add warmth and a bit of personal style to your space.

The gentle glow from candles makes everything feel more intimate and quiet, instantly making your room a more snug and peaceful place. Pair that with mellow scents like vanilla, lavender, or cinnamon to help you unwind and feel comfortable. Custom candles also come in cool designs that go great with your decorating vibe, whether you like things simple or prefer more eye-catching items.

With the right kind of lighting and calming scents, you can make a cosy spot that's all about kicking back and relaxing. These small details make a huge difference, turning your space into an ideal spot for getting cosy in the winter.

To conclude

So, these are just a few of my tips on how to create a cosy environment to sleep in throughout the colder months to ensure you sleep better, stay warm, and support your posture.

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