Pick the perfectwinter bedding

Step aside hot-water bottle – these bedding tricks will help give you the cosiest bed ever, writes Kate Bartels.

The cold weather has hit some parts of the country like a tonne of bricks, and most of us are reaching for the winter woollies, extra blankets and fluffy pyjamas.

When you’ve reached the point where you’re ready to crawl into bed and hibernate until spring rolls around, these bedding tricks will help give you the cosiest bed ever.

Start with a warm base

Forget a hot-water bottle – when you’re hoping to achieve maximumwarmth, the heated mattress pad is a game-changer. Similar to a regular mattress pad but with adjustable heat settings, this cover can warm up your mattress before you even go to bed.

Switch out your sheets and choose warm materials

If youwrap yourself in refreshing cotton percale or linen sheets most of the year, consider swapping them out for a warmer option during the colder months.

To build awarmer bed, choose soft flannel sheets. Flannel may remind you of the cutesy patterned sheet set you had as a kid, but don’tworry, they’ve grown upwith you. You’ll find a range of beautiful sheets for all types of tastes at places like Adairs.

Try triple sheeting

While this may seem like an extreme approach, Andrea Benson from The Sheet Society says a secret she is always passing on to her customers is to triple sheet when the weather takes a turn.

‘‘By layering awarm but thin blanket or quilt between two sheets, you can add an extra layer of insulation, while the sheet barrier means you won’t have to wash your blanket as often,’’ she says. ‘‘The cosiest bed is all about layers and creating pockets of warm air, so sneaking in an extra layer of warmth before you even add your duvet or comforter is pure genius.’’

Put on a quality duvet

When it comes towinter, a thicker duvet is at the top of the suggestion list for many bedding experts. Benson says there are two main optionswhen it comes to choosing your duvet.

‘‘Either go for a heavier tog duvet, ideally anything over

10 tog forwinter, or get an allseasons duvet.’’

While you’ve probably bought a duvet before, you may not know that thewarmth of a duvet is rated by a universal unit known as a tog. ‘‘It’s ameasure of the duvet’s ability to trap warm air – the higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet,’’ says Benson.

Pick the perfect throw

For the final touch every winter bed needs, top off your sleep sanctuary with a throw blanket you can cuddle up with on the coldest nights.

Whether you spread the blanket out or leave it draped on the bottom of the bed, it’s important to pick a design you love (and that complements your decor) since this will be the top layer of your magnificently cosy bed.

This article originally appeared on Domain.com.au and has been republished with permission.

Getting your bedding right will help you achieve maximum warmth this winter.

‘‘By layering a warm but thin blanket or quilt between two sheets, you can add an extra layer of insulation.’’

Andrea Benson

The Sheet Society