Winter linens are much like your winter clothing. As the climate changes season to season, you change your warm weather wardrobe to your cooler weather collection. It would only make sense to modify the clothing that your bed wears as the sunny evenings turn into frigid nights.

It is easy to dress your bed in style to compliment the cooler weather. Wool mattress pads, restful feather beds, cozy flannel sheets, down comforters, and snug wool blankets are only a few products that you can use to create a warm, comfortably dressed bed. Only you can make the winning combination to create your winter cocoon.

Photo from ruralmom.com
Photo from ruralmom.com

Down is the fluffy coating that protects birds from the outer elements. It also retains the desired temperature for most bodies. Therefore, the comfort of down is very inviting and in high demand when used in warm blankets, comforters, and pillows. It is important to select the right weight and density that fits your personal needs. Down comforters can be used by themselves or with a duvet cover. The negative to down products is that people with animal allergies may have a difficult time sleeping on down.

If you cannot wait to climb into a warm bed, wool blankets might be the right winter outfit for you. Wool is commonly made from the hair of sheep that is spun and then woven into various products. Since it is made of wool, it contains natural lanolin which makes it not only water-proof but fire-proof as well. It will preserve its warmth even when it is wet. The downside about wool is that moths love to chew on wool linens. It is important to keep them properly stored when not in use. Also, they must be dry cleaned to maintain their comfort and size.

Wool might be a little heavy for some; therefore, silk filled and silk covered comforters might be a better option. The luxury and softness is astonishing. Silk is continually equalizing temperature but is not as heavy and bulky as wool. Again, silk needs to be dry cleaned and it is recommended that it is covered with a duvet cover to expand its life span.

A more economical choice is Polar Fleece. It is a man-made product that provides warmth and softness. It is very durable and it can be machined washed.

images-1Electric blankets debuted in 1936. If instant heat is what you desire, electric blankets and mattress pads would be the perfect solution. Simply turn it on a few minutes prior to getting into bed and a cozy bed will await you. Most blankets are machine washable, but be cautious not to crimp the wires. They come in customary bed sizes and most king and queen have dual controllers. They are made in limited color choices, so do not try to find a custom shade. A chilly night and a toasty bed are a winning combination.

Flannel sheets are typically made from cotton. They are welcoming, relaxing, and lightweight; however, since they are made from cotton they tend to be very comfy the first few times that they are machined washed. After several washes they will begin to pill up.  The pilled fabric can tend to be somewhat annoying to many consumers.

A simple quilted mattress pad has come a long way over the past few years. There are so many new options that can keep you snug and warm in your bed. Conventional mattress pads are filled with wool, foam, down, cotton, or polyester. Their main usage is to protect the outer layer of the mattress; however, they are also used to make the mattress feel smoother and softer. They need to be washed frequently and should also be rotated in order to prevent wear in a concentrated area. Higher end pads are constructed for warmness and contentment. Some may even contain copper coils to exude and maintain natural heat. Those constructed of wool and fleece combination are designed to hold the heat due to the wool and for softness from the fleece. The downside of a wool mattress pad is they require dry cleaning as any wool product does, and they can become matted over the years.

If softness is what you desire, than a feather bed should foot the bill. Feather beds have been around for years, but are newer in the United States. Originally feather beds were constructed of only feathers; however, those today are made of a polyester, down, and feather combination. Typically, a feather bed is at least four inches thick. Even the hardest mattress will be inviting when topped with this much cushion. Again, this topper will need to be rotated and turned every couple of weeks, and dry cleaning is typically recommended.

It is not necessary to suffer through the cold winter nights again this year. With the right products, you can create a perfect night’s sleep to hibernate this winter.

Shelley Herod is the owner and designer for Designing Women, LLC from Woodstock, Georgia. She has been a local designer for the past 20 years. She graduated from Butler University  with a degree in merchandising and design. Shelley is a certified home stager and recently was selected by Executive Who’s Who. She is the veteran interior designer to the Junior Service League of Woodstock Christmas Home Tour, where she has been active for the past 10 years. She also works with wedding and special event venues as design coordinator to make dreams become reality. Designing Women is an active member of the The Atlanta Bridal Connection. Shelley can be reached at (770) 235-5640 or on her Facebook page: Designing Women.

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