Most of us change our clothing every season to accommodate the changing weather, so why not give our bedrooms the same treatment? This summer, when you put away your jackets and heavy wool sweaters, go ahead and add your flannel sheets and heavy goose down duvet to the storage closet.
Not only is your bedroom your safe haven and sanctuary, it's probably the space in which you spend the most amount of time. All the more reason to give it a summer makeover - both aesthetic and practical. Refreshing your bed seasonally can also lead to better sleep - the benefits of which are unlimited - as well as give you an opportunity to come out of winter hibernation and unleash all your creative energy. With summer on the close horizon, here are five ways to create your perfect summer bedroom:
1. Try linen sheets. Linen, made from the fibre of the flax plant, is known for its exceptional coolness and is absolutely irreplaceable in hot weather. The loose weave of this all-natural fabric makes it more breathable and capable of absorbing moisture, which allows air to flow through the sheet easily and prevent it from clinging to your skin while you sleep. (Read: less perspiration!) All this translates into cooler nights. And nowadays you can buy pre-washed linen, which gives a naturally rumpled look and embodies the casual relaxation of summer. Who wants to break out the iron in the dog days of summer anyway? Bonus points for the strength and durability of the material itself. A quality pure linen fabrication or blend of linen and cotton are built to stand the test of time, only softening with use and ensuring a trusty summer bedding staple ready for action year after year.
2. Lighten up your duvet. Your puffy goose down down duvet may be a sweet cloudy saviour when you can see your breath in the air, but the summer months call for a "lighter jacket" if you will. If you like sleeping with a duvet year-round, investing in a lighter weight duvet as temperatures soar is a must. Summer weight duvets have significantly less down fill than year-round models, which will minimize heat retention (while maximizing comfort). They're thinner and lighter to be sure, but with all the glorious benefits of sleeping under goose down.
If the idea of a traditional duvet seems still too toasty, a down blanket is an excellent alternative, affording the incomparable experience of down in an even lighter package. Look for a 100% cotton shell and 100% down fill. (Down is preferable to feather because there are no quills to poke through and also there is no odour.)
3. Go 'old-school'. Back in the day - before down duvets and comforters became the norm - people slept with flat sheets and cotton blankets. It's still a winning combination for those unbearably muggy summer nights, and a simple way to stay cool. Forget the heavy wool knits and rich furs of winter - look for 100% cotton fabrication in a looser weave to achieve ideal summer comfort and a light and breezy look. Cotton blankets are versatile too, in that they are as beautiful as they are useful, coming in all sorts of weaves like waffle and matelassé (raised, quilted patterns), as well as classic knits. The best part is you can keep your cotton blanket at the foot of the bed all year as a decorative accent.
4. Make a statement with seasonal accents. There's no easier way to update your bedroom decor than with bold statement pieces like toss cushions and throws that scream SUMMER. A bright floral cushion, for example, will help transition a space from one season to the next without having to spend much money. Do away with dark colours and heavy textures and pivot the aesthetic to bright hues or soft pastels. Look for cushions featuring summery floral prints or iconic Cabana stripes. Similarly, a soft pastel throw in cotton or linen will complete your bedroom's summerscape.
5. Let in the light. When giving your bedroom a seasonal makeover, take advantage of the best summer has to offer by introducing sheer, gauzy curtains in the window to create a bright and airy atmosphere, allowing sunlight to pour in and nourish you with vitamins D. Also, bring the green in and adorn your bedroom with plants and flowers to bring the life of summer indoors. Beyond aesthetics, some plants improve air quality as well - an added bonus for a sound summer sleep.
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