When I moved to Sweden more than 16 years ago, I assumed Per (as a bachelor) had to cobble together two single duvets in lieu of not having a double duvet for my stay. As time went on though, I realised it was intentional, and that in fact almost EVERY marital bed in Scandinavia uses two single duvets instead of a double! Look very closely at pictures of Nordic bedrooms and unless there’s been some very clever styling at play, you’ll more than likely spot it. Stay at a Nordic hotel, and you’ll experience it first-hand. Of course, being ever the romantic, I insisted on a double duvet at first – and Per reluctantly obliged, but as time went on, I realised perhaps our Scandi friends have a point. Here are five reasons why! 

1. Staying snug, your way! I love to have all the windows open, even if it’s howling a gale or we’re in deep mid-winter (the Brit in me, for sure!) whereas Per likes to keep them firmly shut even in the height of summer. The truth is all our bodies behave differently at night and feel good at different temperatures. The beauty of having your own duvet means that you can choose a duvet / bed cover thickness that works for you and be as cool or warm as you like! 

“We all have different body temperatures, and some sweat more than others at night. Some prefer a warmer duvet, while others something cooler. It’s therefore a good idea to have bedding that caters to your specific needs. The type of material can also play a roll – you may prefer a warmer flannel style material or linen for a more airy feel” –  Helena Kubicek Boye, Swedish sleep expert and author of Sömnsagor (a children’s story book designed to help children fall asleep more easily).  

2. You can sleep like a starfish (if you like): Still on the topic of body temperature (yes, this is all highly practical stuff) – having your own duvet means you can cool your limbs at will  – stick out your right leg, left leg, elbow from under the covers whoever. you like… whatever feels best to get that all important shut eye! Just as long as you’re not encroaching onto your partners side too much, obvs. 

3. No more fighting over the covers! There’s always someone who steals the duvet, isn’t there? You know, the one who’s wrapped like a swaddled baby, deep in REM while the other freezes on the other side of the bed. Well guess what? If you have your own duvet, this won’t happen. E.V.E.R! 

4. You can take it with you! Snoring partner? Feeling unwell? Simply can’t sleep? There are many reasons you may need to get up in the middle of the night and move somewhere else to get your slumber. The beauty of having your own duvet is you can take it with you – and when you get to your new destination (the sofa, spare bed, your children’s bedroom floor, the dog basket!), it’ll still feel cosy and warm! 

5. The morning wrap! You may be entirely in synch or perhaps one of you is a night owl and the other an early bird. All is fair in love and war, but if you do like to sit up and read longer than your partner or enjoy breakfast in bed while the other sleeps on, the angle you’ll create when you sit up and the other is lying down is bound to disturb. If you have your own duvet, however, they’ll sleep on in their swaddle – and you’ll enjoy blissful silence until the family awakes! 

Sound unromantic? “Of course, you can always creep under your partner’s cover and be cosy anyway, but it’s great to be able to choose!” says Helena. 

These days I’m definitely in the two single duvets camp (if you look closely at the last two pictures, both taken in my bedroom at various points in time you might just spot the overlap!). And guess what? I really do sleep a whole lot better!

Which camp are you in? I’d love to hear more about how you sleep! 

Niki

PS I’m off to Norway today to meet my Mum (it’s her birthday!) and younger sister for a long weekend. Feeling super excited as it’s one of my favourite countries in the world! I’ll be back here blogging again on Monday, have a great few days – sweet dreams! 

When I moved to Sweden more than 16 years ago, I assumed Per (as a bachelor) had to cobble together two single duvets in lieu of not having a double duvet for my stay. As time went on though, I realised it was intentional, and that in fact almost EVERY marital bed in Scandinavia uses two single duvets instead of a double! Look very closely at pictures of Nordic bedrooms and unless there’s been some very clever styling at play, you’ll more than likely spot it. Stay at a Nordic hotel, and you’ll experience it first-hand. Of course, being ever the romantic, I insisted on a double duvet at first – and Per reluctantly obliged, but as time went on, I realised perhaps our Scandi friends have a point. Here are five reasons why! 

1. Staying snug, your way! I love to have all the windows open, even if it’s howling a gale or we’re in deep mid-winter (the Brit in me, for sure!) whereas Per likes to keep them firmly shut even in the height of summer. The truth is all our bodies behave differently at night and feel good at different temperatures. The beauty of having your own duvet means that you can choose a duvet / bed cover thickness that works for you and be as cool or warm as you like! 

“We all have different body temperatures, and some sweat more than others at night. Some prefer a warmer duvet, while others something cooler. It’s therefore a good idea to have bedding that caters to your specific needs. The type of material can also play a roll – you may prefer a warmer flannel style material or linen for a more airy feel” –  Helena Kubicek Boye, Swedish sleep expert and author of Sömnsagor (a children’s story book designed to help children fall asleep more easily).  

2. You can sleep like a starfish (if you like): Still on the topic of body temperature (yes, this is all highly practical stuff) – having your own duvet means you can cool your limbs at will  – stick out your right leg, left leg, elbow from under the covers whoever. you like… whatever feels best to get that all important shut eye! Just as long as you’re not encroaching onto your partners side too much, obvs. 

3. No more fighting over the covers! There’s always someone who steals the duvet, isn’t there? You know, the one who’s wrapped like a swaddled baby, deep in REM while the other freezes on the other side of the bed. Well guess what? If you have your own duvet, this won’t happen. E.V.E.R! 

4. You can take it with you! Snoring partner? Feeling unwell? Simply can’t sleep? There are many reasons you may need to get up in the middle of the night and move somewhere else to get your slumber. The beauty of having your own duvet is you can take it with you – and when you get to your new destination (the sofa, spare bed, your children’s bedroom floor, the dog basket!), it’ll still feel cosy and warm! 

5. The morning wrap! You may be entirely in synch or perhaps one of you is a night owl and the other an early bird. All is fair in love and war, but if you do like to sit up and read longer than your partner or enjoy breakfast in bed while the other sleeps on, the angle you’ll create when you sit up and the other is lying down is bound to disturb. If you have your own duvet, however, they’ll sleep on in their swaddle – and you’ll enjoy blissful silence until the family awakes! 

Sound unromantic? “Of course, you can always creep under your partner’s cover and be cosy anyway, but it’s great to be able to choose!” says Helena. 

These days I’m definitely in the two single duvets camp (if you look closely at the last two pictures, both taken in my bedroom at various points in time you might just spot the overlap!). And guess what? I really do sleep a whole lot better!

Which camp are you in? I’d love to hear more about how you sleep! 

Niki

PS I’m off to Norway today to meet my Mum (it’s her birthday!) and younger sister for a long weekend. Feeling super excited as it’s one of my favourite countries in the world! I’ll be back here blogging again on Monday, have a great few days – sweet dreams!