How to Make Your Bed Warm and Cozy for Winter

Ah, how we love Wisconsin winters. Snow is in the air. On the ground. In your eyes. Somehow inside your winter snow boots. The wind feels like daggers against the tiniest exposed bit of skin. Your driveway keeps getting buried — and your mailbox obliterated — each time the plow thunders past. Your floors have transformed into something colder than ice.

There's no doubt about it: winter is our favorite time of year…to bar the doors, shutter the windows and bury ourselves in the warm, cozy confines of our winterized beds. Don't have a winterized bed? Don't know what a "winterized" bed is? Well, you've come to the right place, 'cause we're about to tell you how to make a bed so cozy, it'll make winter warm and wonderful—at least indoors.

Start With a Solid Foundation

And by that, we mean your mattress. Comfort is a key component of feeling cozy, so if you're still using something with old, squeaky springs, it's time for an upgrade. We're partial to memory foam mattresses: they self-adjust to your shape for optimal, pressure-point-relieving support. And unlike your spring-loaded configuration, they don't squeak or disturb your partner every time you roll over. (Tip: If you're not ready to spring for a new mattress entirely, a mattress pad or mattress topper can bring new life to your old bed.)

Flannel Sheets and Flannel Pajamas

Nothing beats all-cotton flannel in the wintertime. Unlike some bedsheets, flannel doesn't ice up in cold rooms. The napped surface makes it soft and inviting, regardless of the surrounding air's temperature. Napping is a process that distresses the spun fiber and makes it take on the appearance of unspun fiber.

And the more substantial weight of winter flannel helps it trap warm air to keep you toasty. It's the coziest stuff we know of, plain and simple. Add flannel pajamas for double softness and warmth. Trust us on this combination. It’s heavenly.

Plenty of Pillows

Softness is one of the keys to a warm, cozy bed. A good number is four bed pillows. This will give you and your partner options for reading, sipping coffee, and, of course, snuggling. Part of the luxury of having a winterized bed is spending more time in it. Sheet sets come in different variations. Some queen and king sets automatically come with four pillowcases, but some come with two. It’s well worth it to buy a couple more to be able to fall into a warm, deep winterized bed. Treat yourself to an every day (and every night) luxury of enough pillows.

Add a Warm Blanket (or Two!)

Blankets are another area where you will want to opt for both quantity and quality. There are dizzying amounts of choices out there, but for maximum warming power, we recommend fleece blankets. They're light and flexible but work as an insulating layer to trap heat, so they'll keep you warm without weighing you down. How many blankets you'll need depends on several factors including the climate you live in, the quality of your windows, and the specific preferences of you and your partner. Start by buying two fleece blankets, not only so you can snuggle up more, but also so you can have an “emergency blanket”. If an ice storm cuts the power to your house or your furnace suddenly needs repairs, you’ll be glad for that extra layer to trap the warm air right next to you.

Consider buying a fleece throw, too. Although technically not bedclothes, you can’t go wrong with a fleece throw to help you and yours stay cozy all winter. They are great for curling up on the sofa in front of the fire or draping around your shoulders while you sip a cup of tea and enjoy a good book. They're also the ultimate, quick warm-me-up, whether you carry one with you as a stadium blanket or scoop up the kids or grandkids in one after they play in the snow.

Top It Off With Comfort

If you want a bed that's seriously warm and lofty, you'll want a down comforter. Down is called "nature's best insulator" for a reason: almost no human-engineered fiber can match its warmth-to-weight ratio. That's what makes it such a great insulator when you're sleeping. It's warm and lofty, but not so heavy that it restricts movement. If you're feeling festive, you can toss on one of our Christmas comforters. Or, you can opt for a plain style and get a pretty duvet cover to coordinate with your sheets.