As midwinter's chill starts to bite, boost your home's cosiness factor with layers of warm bedding and accessories. We uncover the essentials for a sound night's sleep.

On an icy winter's night, few things are more pleasant than snuggling beneath the bedcovers. So it makes sense to invest in a quality covering that's going to keep you deliciously warm, and it pays to research the material options carefully. You'll need to consider the climate you live in and the level of warmth you want, but it's largely personal preference that determines which material, weight and style of bedding is right for you. Today's bedding market has many options covered including blankets in various cotton or wool weaves, quilts stuffed with natural fibres or high-tech synthetics, and throws to add extra layers of comfort in the cooler months.

Cover versions

Quilts may be a popular option for bedcoverings but blankets are still a favourite for many. They offer great flexibility in bedding warmth, as you can easily add or remove layers. The main natural materials used for blankets are wool, wool blends and mohair. There are also cotton blankets and various synthetics. Blankets come in different weaves, too, usually a dense, smooth weave for woollen bedding, waffle weave for cotton blankets and a loose knit often used in throws or more casual blankets. Wool and cotton blankets can be bought in standard bedding sizes and tucked under the mattress, over sheets, for a formal look. Smaller sizes, often called throws, can be used to add extra warmth or a decorative finish.

Wool blankets in a dense weave offer the best weight and warmth in cold climates, while those in a waffle or honeycomb-type cellular weave allow better air circulation and are good in milder temperatures. In temperate zones where heavy bedding isn't always needed, cotton is a good option.

"Cotton is exceptionally absorbent and kind to your skin when compared to man-made fibres," says Paula Wallace, Director of Wallace Cotton. "Cotton is also heavier than wool, so a thick cotton quilt, layered with blankets or a duvet, can be nice on cold nights."

Quilt questions

Quilts come in all manner of styles and with all kinds of fillings, including cotton, wool, feather and down, synthetic fibres and a combination of any of these.

"While feather and down fillings provide great warmth, they are not recommended for allergy sufferers," says Jeddah Ryan, Product Developer at Sheridan. "In this case, a polyester or Tencel fill is ideal."

Look at the outer shell material as well as the filling. "Ideally the cover fabrication should be a 100-per-cent natural fibre, such as cotton, as it will allow the quilt to breathe and your body temperature to be regulated," says Ryan.

Most brands of quilt give some kind of warmth rating. Some are given a numerical rating, some measured in togs (a unit of thermal resistance) and some by the weight of the filling (in grams per square metre). The higher the rating, the warmer you'll feel.

Think about the look of the product as well as the feel. "You need to consider warmth and weight preferences, and also loft [height and fluffiness]," says Ryan. "Take the quilt out of the bag when buying, to determine the height and surface appearance."

Turndown servicing

All heavy bedding will benefit from a regular airing on the clothesline. Try to do this at least once a month.

Densely woven wool and cotton blankets can usually be machine-washed, using cold water and a delicate cycle, but looser weaves should be washed by hand. Quilts can be machine-washed, says Jonnie McLean, Product Manager at Linen House. "Hang outside for drying and airing," says McLean, "so they keep their consistency and fluffiness."

Storage tips

When the weather warms up, store your winter bedding carefully to keep it in top shape until the following year:
Always wash blankets and quilts before storing, so any marks or dirt don't become embedded.

Make sure they're properly dried before storing, as any remaining damp could attract mould or mildew.

Store bedding in canvas or fabric bags or covers, to protect it from dust and allow the material to breathe.

Vacuum storage bags are a good option in limited space. You simply use a vacuum cleaner to extract air from the bag, which shrinks dramatically in size. The bag is sealed to keep it airtight.