Why You Should Swap Your Bedding With The Seasons, According To An Expert

While Floridians and Texans are likely rising to another sunny day—not as blistering as in summer but still pleasantly hot, those up in Virginia or Missouri may have woken up shivering…again. Depending on where you live in the South, waking up on a winter morning might feel a bit different. Either way, it’s time for a change, and turning the HVAC from cool to heat isn’t the only adjustment that many Southerners need to make for their homes as winter sets in. As the seasons shift, from warm to chilly (or hot to slightly less hot), so should your bedding.

From one season to the next, switching up your bedding signals a shift. Throughout the year, updating sheets, seasonal decor, and the number of throw blankets we keep on hand is a sign of the times. You’ll know it’s past time to switch back when you wake up overheated with your blankets in a heap on the floor. 

Call us Goldilocks, because we like our beds to be just right—not too hot and not too cold. With your bedding regulated for the season and the temperatures that follow, you just might find yourself having a better night’s sleep. It’s not all about function though. Strictly speaking, it’s not required to change your bedding with the seasons, especially if you live somewhere with fairly consistent temperatures. However, going with the flow of the seasons, at least so far as your bedding is concerned, can also be beneficial emotionally. Think of it as turning over a new leaf. Take the changing of the seasons as an excuse to refresh and adapt.

“I quite like changing out [the bedding],” says Sara Malek Barney, principal designer for BANDD/DESIGN based in Austin, Texas. “From a visual standpoint, it gets you mentally in that season’s space.”

What To Keep In Mind When You Update Your Bedding

Schedule

The first thing to think about is your timeline. Aesthetically, switching four times a year with the first day of each new season can do wonders to drive home the change. Swap out for seasonal hues to welcome the season. However, for functionality’s sake, you probably don’t need to swap your bedding four times a year. For these more structural changes to your bedding, twice annually may do the trick. Take cues from the weather as much as you can, though we know how Southern climates can be finicky.

Temperature Adjustment

Layers are also the name of the game when it comes to adjusting your bedding to perform best for different climates. In fall or winter you add them and in spring or summer you strip them away. Accordingly, let’s dissect the bedding layer by layer.

First up is the sheets. If you’re really shivering, flannel sheets are the way to go. Sateen and percale—whichever you prefer—are best suited for those in between months that aren’t too hot or too cold, and linen is prime for hot summers. “I love linen on the bed as it gets warmer and the sun is coming out,” says Malek Barney. “The crisper, lighter fabric can go a long way.”

However, if you’re like Malek Barney and refuse to part from your trusty favorite fabric no matter the time of year, focus on the comforter, quilt, or duvet. Changing out your comforter or duvet for a thickness that matches the season’s needs is an easy switch but likely means changing the look of your bedding completely. Duvets are especially prime for seasonal switches because you can simply swap out the insert—something heavier for colder seasons, and a lighter weight for warmer months.

Don’t underestimate a throw blanket or two on top, either. Keep throw blankets available throughout the year, adjusting quantity and thickness as needed, but especially during those colder or more unpredictable months. Malek Barney especially loves having a heated blanket on standby for quick comfort.

Aesthetics

Visually, how you celebrate the season with your bedding comes down to one question: How do you feel about throws? Some people love throw blankets and pillows, and others hate them.

Team throws herself, Malek Barney loves to pile on the throw blankets. “I really love the layers it adds,” she says. “It just looks richer, and it’s very simple to change out.” Update throw blankets seasonally by stacking a different amount or by swapping a single throw blanket out depending on what thickness suits the season.

Decorative pillows can also go a long way in getting your bedding ready for the season ahead. If it’s your taste to, organize an assortment of seasonally festive throw pillows for your spread. If that’s not quite your speed, try a more sparing approach that still reflects seasonal palettes like just a couple large throw pillows or one big lumbar pillow. Rather than stocking up on multiple bulky pillows that are a burden to store during the off-season, buy multiple pillow covers to switch out and store the retired ones conveniently.

When selecting a blanket, choose motifs that suit the season. Perhaps pastels for spring and bright popping hues for your summer throws. We also love to welcome fall with warm tones like red and orange in the fall that give way to cool palettes like icy blues and silver come winter, but don’t let conventional color pallets hold you back. What really marks a cool season bed is an obvious coziness while warm weather bedding comes off light and airy. You can focus in on holidays, too, and dress up your bed for the occasion.

“Especially if you’re working with a white base, don’t be afraid to play with color and pattern when changing things up for seasonality,” encourages Malek Barney.