One Bed, Four Ways: How to Layer Your Bed for Each Season

Have you ever noticed how your bed, your absolute favourite place in the world, can feel a little different as the seasons change? That feeling of throwing off the duvet on a warm summer night is just as lovely as snuggling under layers when it’s chilly outside. We are convinced that your bed should be your comfiest place all year round, and the secret to achieving this is all in the layering.

Styling your bed for the season isn’t just about how it looks (though that’s a super fun part of it). It’s about creating the perfect environment for a remarkable night’s sleep, whatever the weather is. Forget having just one set-up - we’re here to show you how to adapt your  bedding for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. 

Spring is all about renewal. It’s that wonderful feeling of throwing open the windows to a chorus of birdsong and letting the fresh, clean air sweep through the house. Your bed should reflect this feeling of a fresh start; it's time to shed the heavy winter layers and embrace something lighter, airier, and full of gentle optimism. 

Your perfect spring bed starts with a fresh base, so we recommend swapping to crisp  fitted sheets in a breathable 100% cotton percale. This weave feels wonderfully clean and cool against the skin as the nights get milder. This is also the time to switch out your heavy winter duvet for a lighter tog; something around a 7 to 10.5 tog is often perfect for this time of year. 

You can explore our full range of  duvets to find your perfect match.

The final, magical touch is adding a layer of colour and texture. Our co-founder Molly says, 

"100% linen flat sheets are fabulous for a spring and summertime layer. The light dances across 100% linen, they add colour and a relaxed look to any bedroom." 

Drape a flat sheet over your duvet for that extra touch of colour and a versatile layer you can pull up if the night turns unexpectedly chilly. Finish the look with a lightweight cotton  throw at the foot of the bed in a soft pastel or a cheerful bright colour to reflect the blossoming world outside.

When the long, balmy days of summer arrive, the nights can become warm and sticky, making a good night’s sleep a little harder. But with the right bedding for summer, you can make sure you’re calm and comfortable. The key here is breathability, which means choosing fabrics that allow air to circulate and wick away moisture from your skin.

As Molly explains, 

"For those hot summer nights, consider bed linen made from natural fibres such as 100% cotton or linen... Linen’s exceptional absorbency and airflow properties make it the ultimate choice for staying cool." 

To create your cool space, start with a breathable foundation like a  mattress topper made from natural materials like cotton or wool, which helps regulate temperature from below. Then, switch to sheets made from either crisp 200-thread-count cotton percale or 100% linen, our absolute favourite for summer. These are the best choices for keeping cool at night in summer.

Molly has a great tip for the warmest nights when even a duvet feels too much: 

"Is it a good idea to sleep under just a top sheet in the summer? Absolutely yes yes yes. It's such a simple way to stay cool and still feel tucked in." 

A simple, light flat sheet provides that comforting feeling of being covered without trapping heat. If you still love the security of a duvet, make sure it’s a super-light option from our summer duvet collection, typically a 1 to 4.5 tog. 

For more ideas, check out our detailed  summer sleeping guide or our blog on  getting your bed ready for summer.

As the evenings draw in and there’s a new crispness in the air, our natural instinct is to seek out all things warm and snug. Autumn is the time for snuggling up, and your bed should be the ultimate cocoon of comfort, a welcoming retreat after a day out in the brisk air. It’s all about adding warmth, rich texture, and deep, earthy colours that reflect the changing leaves outside.

As the nights cool, it's time to bring back a warmer duvet, such as a 10.5 or 13.5 tog, to ensure you stay perfectly warm. Autumn is all about texture, a styling tip Molly loves. 

"You will see in all of our photography that I have used 1/2 or even 3 layers on top. I love adding texture and additional colours to a bed with a throw or simply a flat sheet thrown over the top." 

This is the perfect season to introduce a new  duvet cover in a richer fabric like our laundered or sateen cottons, which feel wonderfully soft against the skin.

Think about adding a chunky knitted throw or a soft,  brushed cotton bedspread that you can pull up for extra warmth. It’s also the best time to introduce rich, earthy colours inspired by nature; think deep rusts, warm ochres, forest greens, and soft plums. 

Finally, make your bed look extra inviting for bedtime reading by adding a few plump square  pillows. As Molly says, 

"Square pillows are also a must in my book, for comfort and styling. They can sit proudly behind your pillows, waiting for bedtime reading and morning tea sipping."

When it’s truly cold outside, your bed becomes your hibernation station. The winter bedding goal is maximum warmth and snuggle-factor, creating a space you’ll never want to leave until spring returns. 

For maximum winter warmth, start with sheets made from brushed cotton. They are woven from 100% cotton that is gently brushed after weaving to create a super-soft, almost flannel-like texture that feels instantly warm to the touch, meaning no more shivery shock when you get into bed.

Next, bring out a high-tog winter warrior, like a 13.5 or 15 tog duvet from our  winter duvets range. The final secret for how to sleep in winter is layering; a thick bedspread or a heavy wool throw over your duvet will trap an extra layer of insulating air, adding a significant amount of warmth. 

For more wonderful advice, our restful tips will help you  sleep better this winter.