With the cold season arriving, homeowners have plenty of questions about comforter purchases. Which comforter is warm enough for its climate? What materials should it be made of? And should you go for an artificial or natural filling?
These and many questions can make the purchase of a comforter more complicated. Fortunately, this article comes to the rescue. We’ll share practical advice and tips for purchasing the ideal comforter for your particular preferences this winter.
How to Transition the Bed from Summer to Winter?
Are you starting to feel like you want to spend more time cozied up in a warm bed while sipping a cup of your favorite hot drink? If so, it may be time to consider transitioning your bed into its winter edition.
It’s important to make the transition to avoid the chills of winter preventing you from having a good night’s sleep.
The transition process includes layering your bed for all the winter comfort. You want to start with the mattress pad, then add sheets suitable for cold weather, then follow with a blanket made with breathable materials. Finally, you want to pick a comforter and top it with a quilt. The ideal winter bed has a mattress topper that provides additional insulation and comfort to the bedding.
Ideal Time for Transitioning
The ideal time to change the bedding to winter is the end of September. It’s close to when temperatures start to drop.
Sunday is a great day for doing so. You’ll feel less overwhelmed by other activities you have to do that may be related to work, picking kids up from school, taking them to music practice, etc.
Ideal Room Temperature for Winter Sleep
In terms of the ideal room temperature in the winter, it’s best to keep your room from 18 to 21 degrees (around 65F). The earlier you transfer your bedding from summer to winter, the sooner you reduce energy costs.
Comforter vs. Duvet
Many people use the two terms interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between them that are worth taking into account.
While a comforter is a single bedding piece, a duvet has two elements – the duvet insert and the duvet cover.
Comforters usually have evenly distributed filling, while duvets have inserts that act as a filling.
Difference Between a Comforter for Winter vs. Summer
The tog rating is the main indicator in the winter vs. summer comforter debate. The higher the tog, the more suitable the comforter is for the winter. On the opposite side, a lower tog rating gives you a more breathable night’s sleep.
Ideally, for winter, you want to take togs that are between 7 and 10.5. The ideal tog varies depending on how you sleep. A hot sleeper with a small, cozy room could benefit from a 7. But for larger rooms with more draught, a 10.5 may be better. The thickness of the filling makes the difference between the two.
Difference Between a Comforter for Winter vs. Summer
The tog rating is the main indicator in the winter vs. summer comforter debate. The higher the tog, the more suitable the comforter is for the winter. On the opposite side, a lower tog rating gives you a more breathable night’s sleep.
Ideally, for winter, you want to take togs that are between 10 and 13.5. The ideal tog varies depending on how you sleep. A hot sleeper with a small, cozy room could benefit from a 10. But for larger rooms with more draught, a 13.5 may be better. The thickness of the filling makes the difference between the two.
Getting a Better Sleep in Winter
The shift in the season also changes sleep quality. If the drop in temperatures affects your winter sleep, you may need to go beyond layering to add warmth to your bedroom.
- For starters, open your curtains during the day to keep a regular day schedule.
- You should also have a regular workout routine you can do indoors.
- It’s also essential to keep your toes warm at night, so wearing socks to bed could help.
- However, you want the temperature in your room to be cool enough (around 65 degrees F or 18C is best).
- Finally, you can introduce some relaxing routines like soaking in the tub, drinking herbal tea, or listening to calming music before bed.
The Characteristics of Comforters for Winter
Filling Materials
The filling is often the most important feature when it comes to the comforters’ quality. The type of filling directly impacts the warm comforter factor. This feature is measured in grams per square meter (GSM). The higher the fill power, the thicker, warmer, and heavier the comforter.
Cotton
Cotton is great for its hypoallergenic and breathable properties. Comforters filled with cotton are usually lightweight and work great for homes in geographical areas with moderate winters.
The disadvantage of cotton comforters is that they aren’t as fluffy as other materials.
Wool
Wool is a great comforter filling for cold climates. It also serves as an excellent insulator. However, despite its moisture-wicking properties, you can’t wash wool comforters. You have to take them to a professional cleaning session instead.
Down Filling
Down filling is among the most classy and high-quality options. It’s super fluffy, warm, and a perfect replacement for wool comforters for those allergic to wool.
Silk Fiber Filling
Silk fiber filling is the most luxurious comforter filling out there. It has hypoallergenic properties, and it’s breathable, but it requires a higher level of maintenance.
Polyester or Microfiber
Polyester or microfiber comforter is a popular synthetic option that’s lightweight but also warm. It can trap the air inside, thus keeping you warm. Polyester is also relatively affordable and fluffy.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Comforter for Winter?
Here are some things to consider before opting for a winter comforter.
Temperature
The levels of warmth a comforter provides are among the most important features to consider. Comforters and duvet covers are suited for cold weather as they have robust heat insulation properties.
Material
The fiber material can make all the difference between being comfortable and too hot or uncomfortable. The 100% cotton, down, or different blends offer the best comfort, are breathable, and are not too heavy.
Bed Size
The size of your new comforter depends on your needs, preferences, and bed size. In regards to a master bedroom, consider separate comforters if you and your partner fidget during sleep. For shared coverings, get one size larger than the bed size so you can sleep comfortably.
Filling
Lightweight down filling adds breathable warmth and is the perfect solution for a winter comforter.
Allergies
Down and wool have the potential to trigger allergies or asthma. If you opt for these materials, choose the higher-quality ones that are hypoallergenic.
Maintenance
Different bedding elements come with varying levels of maintenance. While some need to be washed often because of their lack of hypoallergenic features, others can last through winter. Make sure you read the maintenance instructions carefully before making your purchase.
How Often Should You Wash Bedding (Comforters) in Winter?
Many first-time winter comforter purchasers wonder how often they should wash the bedding piece. Ideally, if your comforter comes with a duvet, you want to wash it a few times per year.
Why Goose Down Could Be a Good Choice
Goose-down duvets and comforters are ideal for cold weather. They are soft, lightweight, and have excellent insulating properties. Down is located under the geese' and duck's feathers and it serves as a protective cover that’s light and fluffy. It also offers insulation that keeps the animal warm. The comforter made from down can remain warm and fluffy while also being airy. This makes it easier to reach the sleeping temperature faster and prevents heat loss.
Explore the Hamvay-Láng goose-down comforters and duvets from 100% Hungarian goose. You can learn more by visiting this link.
Winter Bed Styling Tips
Winter is about less formal, relaxed, and simple home styling. You want to go in the direction of cotton, down, and naturally washed linen with some added textures like knitted wool or velvet. A common trend during the winter is leaving your bed unmade, so different textures and color patterns can make an appearance instead of a coordinated look. An easy way to add texture is with stylish throws and pillows. Go for sateen, velvet, or faux fur to appeal visually to the décor. Check out Hamvay-Láng decorative pillows here. You can also introduce warmer colors that create light and warmth as you spend more time inside during the winter. Go for amber, ocher, sage green, or lavender to achieve this effect.
Conclusion
Shopping for a winter comforter doesn’t have to be complicated. Choosing the proper filling will make much more sense. Just make sure you are as familiar with how different materials work and how much warmth you can expect from each. Hopefully, the information in this article has helped you find the best winter comforter for your needs and preferences.
