An Expert Guide to Winter Bedding and Duvets

When the temperatures start dropping and the nights start getting longer, making sure you have warm bedding for winter is essential for a good night's sleep.

In a recent survey, we found that 66% of adults in the UK feel they do not sleep as well during the winter months. And while 80% of Brits will change their bedding in some way at this time of year, many people don't know how to choose the best combination of layers or fabrics.

In this guide, the experts at Christy share everything you need to know about choosing the right winter bedding and duvet to keep you warm and cosy throughout the season.

Explore our range of luxury bedding and enjoy blissful sleep no matter the temperature.

Winter bedding fabrics: Which ones keep you warmest?

When it comes to dressing your bed for winter, choosing the right fabrics is key. Some materials are better at retaining heat than others, which makes them the best choice for your winter bedding.

Cotton is one of the best year-round bedsheet fabrics because it's super breathable and great at trapping air. This means your bed will stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer, making cotton sheets a highly worthwhile bedroom investment.

Christy's Smooth and Silky Cotton Sateen Deep Fitted Sheet is the ideal base layer for your winter bedding. This sumptuously soft cotton sheet has a high thread count of 400, which means it not only feels thicker but is also more effective at retaining heat.

For something even more luxurious, our Organic Cotton Fitted Sheet is the perfect option. This cotton fabric is made from two ultra-soft layers stitched together, trapping air to keep you warm even on the coldest winter nights and providing maximum comfort.

Finding the right type of duvet for winter

When choosing a duvet for winter, you need to consider its tog rating. The tog rating is a measure of the duvet's thermal performance - the higher it is, the warmer the duvet will be.

A duvet is generally considered to be suitable for winter if it has a tog rating between 10.5 and 13.5. In the warmer months, you can replace it with a lower tog duvet (around 3.5 to 7.5) to help you stay cool.

Some people choose to combine two duvets with different tog ratings, rather than using just one duvet on its own during the colder months. Combining a 9 tog duvet and a 4.5 tog duvet, for example, creates a 13.5 tog duvet that is suitable for winter. When the temperature gets warmer, you can simply use one of the duvets on its own.

Should you choose a synthetic duvet or a natural-filled duvet?

Synthetic duvets and natural-filled duvets will both keep you warm in winter, as long as you choose one with a high tog rating. Ultimately, the right one for you depends on your personal preferences.

Synthetic duvets

Synthetic duvets are ideal if you suffer from allergies or want a duvet that is machine washable. They're generally filled with soft microfibre, which makes them both comfortable and durable.

If you think a synthetic duvet is the right option for you, Christy's Luxury Microfibre 13.5 Tog Duvet is a great choice for your winter bedding. Thick, plush, and incredibly luxurious, this high tog duvet is perfect for keeping snug as the temperature drops.

Natural duvets

Natural duvets are ideal for winter because they are usually filled with feather or down, which are great at stopping heat from escaping and keeping the bed warm. Natural duvets can be more luxurious and longer-lasting than synthetic duvets, but they may be harder to wash and can be unsuitable for those with allergies.

If you're looking for a natural-filled duvet, Christy's Feather and Down 13.5 Tog Duvet is made with the softest duck feather and down to keep you cosy on those chilly winter nights.

How to layer your bedding for winter

Layering up your bedding is essential for keeping the heat in on cold winter nights. The warm air becomes trapped between each layer, which prevents it from escaping and keeps your bed nice and toasty.

Not only that, but layered bedding is also very fashionable and - when done correctly - creates a cosy, inviting look that is perfect for winter.

The order of your layers can make a big difference to how well you sleep:

1. Bottom sheet goes first: For winter, choose a luxurious fitted sheet with a tighter weave to keep yourself cosy and warm. You may choose to add a flat sheet to your bed as well to provide an extra layer of warmth and act as a barrier between you and your duvet cover (allowing for extended time between washes), but this is completely optional.
2. A blanket comes next: Add a lightweight blanket for another layer of warmth and comfort. Breathable cotton, insulating wool, or soft and fuzzy fleece are all excellent options because they trap heat close to the body without causing you to overheat. Christy's Oslo blanket is the perfect cosy winter blanket, made from super soft knit cotton fabric for maximum warmth.
3. Add your duvet: Choose a 13.5 tog duvet for ultimate warmth and comfort on those chilly winter nights, or go for a medium 10.5 tog duvet if you prefer to stack up the layers. Christy has a wide range of soft and cosy duvet sets to add another touch of luxury to your bed.
4. Top it all off with a bedspread: Dress up your bed with a throw to add extra warmth and style as well. The best throws for winter are lightweight, breathable, and crafted from cotton, like Christy's luxurious Jaipur Throw which is available in a gorgeous range of rich colours.

Discover luxuriously soft winter bedding at Christy

Create the ultimate sleep sanctuary with Christy's stunning range of warm bedding for winter.

With over 170 years of experience in the home textiles industry, you can count on us for sumptuously soft bedsheets, duvets, and pillows that last a lifetime.

You deserve the best sleep every night - let us take you there with our luxury bedding collection.