Warm Bedding Essentials For Winter: Duvets, Sheets & Throws

Not only does furnishing a bedroom for the winter months create a warm space in which to relax and sleep, it is a good way to freshen up the décor. Indeed, winter bedding offers some lovely and practical seasonal touches, such as elegant throws and stylish winter duvet covers. So, if you’re searching for warm bedding essentials, keep reading as we reveal our top picks, plus some key factors to take into account.

What to think about when choosing winter bedding 

There are certain types of bedding that have specific properties to keep people warm and comfy during colder spells of weather. The main items of winter bedding are blankets and throws, duvets, and winter bed sheets. As well as being warm but not too heavy, bedding for winter should be comfortable against the skin.

Bed linen designed for winter use should also be practical and durable. Naturally, people tend to have more contact with their bedding when it’s cold. For example, lingering in bed on a cold winter morning, turning in earlier when the chilly nights draw in, or even bringing blankets and duvets into the living room to wrap around themselves on the settee during the evening.

All this may mean additional laundry requirements and possibly replacing items more frequently. So, bedding materials should be functional, versatile and ideally, machine washable – not to mention stylish.

Choosing the best duvet for winter

When it comes to choosing a high-quality winter duvet, the key things to consider are the filling and the “tog” rating. Short for “thermal overall grade”, the tog rating simply measures the degree to which a duvet retains heat. In the summer, a lightweight 4.5 tog duvet is usually preferable, while in the chillier spring and autumn months, a medium 10.5 tog duvet is a popular choice, offering considerably more warmth. The highest tog ratings, 13.5 and 15.0, are designed for winter.

For the filling, natural goose or duck down are lighter and offer better thermal insulation. However, hollowfibre duvets are generally cheaper and can be machine washed, which may be a better option if the budget is a priority. Each filling is available across the different tog ratings.

Buying a different duvet for each season can be costly for some people. So, whether furnishing rental accommodation or stocking the shelves for winter, an alternative option is to offer lower tog duvets for the main bed covering and then supplement these with a selection of coordinating blankets, bedspreads and other bedding options. That way, people can choose to mix and match their bedding to stay comfy throughout the year. Just as with clothing, layering up thinner bedding is also an effective way to stay warm and to regulate body temperature.

Update décor for the season with winter duvet covers 

Winter duvet covers are a great way to bring rooms up-to-date and to freshen things up for the season. Neutral tones are always a good choice as they can complement and enhance an existing colour palette, adding a wintry touch on a budget. For example, by choosing a base colour, such as brown or grey, the décor can be simply altered for the seasons, with darker shades for the winter months. High-quality fabrics are always best, for comfort and durability, while quilted designs can add elegance and warmth to a winter bedroom.

Add extra style and practicality with winter blankets and throws

In terms of blankets and throws for winter, fleece is a popular material as it is soft and lightweight, as well as being lovely and warm. Likewise, cotton is a lightweight and breathable option, with the added benefit that it can be used year-round.

A stylish fleece or cotton blanket is also highly versatile, as it can double up as a chic throw to enhance a room’s décor, while providing that all-important extra layer of warmth during chilly winter evenings, whether in bed or while lounging on the sofa.

A further option to mention is a weighted blanket. As the name suggests, these are designed to be heavier than regular blankets, so they fold around – or “hug” – the user. Weighted blankets are thicker and can therefore be warmer than a non-weighted blanket.

Don’t forget about winter bed sheets

Winter bed sheets can also help to add warmth and comfort during the season. High-quality flannelette and cotton are great options for the colder weather. However, instead of purely focusing on warmth, when it comes to bed sheets, temperature-balancing properties are important. While no one wants to wake up cold in bed, they don’t want to overheat either. Therefore, breathable bed sheets that regulate body temperature can help to make sure they enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep, whatever the temperature.

Why is warm bedding important?

Our bodies are designed to naturally cool down during the evening, overnight and into the early morning, with our core temperature dropping by around 2 degrees Fahrenheit within this period. It is therefore essential to regulate our temperature during these hours, so we avoid becoming too cold or overheating, both of which can negatively impact our health.

To support a comfortable night’s sleep, a room temperature of about 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18°C) is recommended. Alongside this, it is important to choose bedding that is suitable for the inner temperature and outer climate.

Can warm bedding reduce energy costs?

Finally, it’s worth addressing an issue that is particularly relevant: increased energy bills. There are lots of practical steps that can be taken to cut energy use, including introducing quality bedding designed to keep people warm during the winter.

Of course, anyone offering hotel or rental accommodation should ensure guests always have the option to heat the space to a comfortable level. However, a cosy winter duvet, blankets for winter and other items of warm bedding might also save a little on energy use.

Rather than turning up the thermostat or leaving the heat running all night, getting snuggled up in cosy winter bedding might help to reduce a property’s energy costs, as well as being an enjoyable way to pass the chilly weeks until spring.