[email protected] (Ruth Jones)
2026-01-17 03:00:00
Wish you could spend winter curled up in your den? You’re not alone, as a survey by sleep brand Naturepedic has found that two-thirds of us dream of hibernating ‘like a bear‘ during the colder months.
A cozy cocoon isn’t simply a way to avoid harsh weather (and January responsibilities), as 76% of respondents say they enjoy higher quality sleep when they feel cozy before drifting off.
But with 71% of those surveyed admitting their home could be cozier, we’re exploring the best ways transform your bedroom into a ‘hygge‘ hideout. And no, it doesn’t involve turning the thermostat up — this is hibernation that’s easy on your sleep and your heating bill.
Why are we dreaming of hibernating?
Of the 2,000 Americans surveyed by Naturepedic, 86% were drawn to the concept of getting “as cozy as possible” in winter, with 76% of respondents noting they stayed asleep for longer when they’d gone to bed feeling cozy.
In addition, 72% said they woke up “more refreshed” after falling asleep cozy, with 7 out of 10 believing good sleep helps them face a cold day.
With winter fatigue making mornings difficult for many of us — plus the prevalence of Season Affective Disorder — getting cozy is sounding more appealing than ever.
Among the top cozy activities are curling up on the couch, listening to the rain, and catching up on comfort TV shows and movies.
One cozy comfort we don’t recommend, however, is cranking the heat up. The optimal temperature for sleep is on the lower side, to coincide with our circadian rhythms. So while a warm room feels cozy at first, you might find the thermostat wakes you up sweating at 5am.
Instead we recommend adopting the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ (pronounced hyoo-guh) — intentional coziness. Here’s how to do it.
How to build a hygge bedroom
1. Create layers
“It’s all about layering,” says Arin Schultz, Naturepedic CGO. “Our survey data showed nearly half of people bury under blankets to feel cozy.”
Piling on the layers helps you feel as snug as a bug in a rug and it’s an easy alternative to the viral potato bed trend that dominated the end of 2025.
But, Schultz warns, don’t let any old blanket into your den.
“The key is choosing materials that tailor to your personal best sleep temperature,” says Schultz.
“You want to start with sheets that feel soft and silky (rather than crisp and cool), then a duvet filled with naturally insulating materials like down, wool or alpaca.”
These careful material choices allow you to indulge in warmth without overheating.
2. Keep things neat
A messy bedroom is bad for your sleep as clutter can cause anxiety. It’s hard to get cozy when you’re looking at a reminder of chores.
“Try dedicating a short window before bed to tidy up the day’s mess and help your brain transition into rest mode,” says Sam Sadighi, a certified sleep practitioner and sleep expert at Get Laid Beds.
We have some hacks for decluttering your bedroom without the stress but our number one tip is to start with what’s in front of you. What mess can you see when you’re in your cozy cocoon?
“By removing reminders of chores or work from your sightline,” advises Sadighi, “you eliminate the dread of a cluttered space and the frustration of feeling like you don’t have time to address it.”
3. Cocoon yourself
When you’re preparing your blanket den, Schultz recommends weighing up your options — literally.
“Look for blankets of varying weights, like a plush waffle or a gauzy muslin,” advises Schultz. “This gives you that cocooned, hygge feeling without cranking up your heat and without over-heating.”
For a true hygge hug, consider investing on one of the best weighted blankets. Packed with pockets full of weighted beads, these blankets wrap around the body and apply gentle pressure to alleviate anxiety.
4. Quiet time
42% of respondents said they create a cozy feeling by ‘enjoying the quiet’ — so it’s time to switch off.
With 80% of US adults losing sleep to scrolling, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, utilizing iPhone features such as screen limits and sleep tracking can help you ditch the doom scroll.
So instead of trawling TikTok for sleep tips, indulge in one of our favorite viral trends of 2025; dark showering (or dark bathing.) Dim the lights and allow the warm water to prepare your body for sleep.
5. Soft minimalism
Soft minimalism is set to be one of the biggest bedroom trends of 2026 and it goes hand-in-hand with hygge comfort.
“Soft minimalism is a bedroom trend which focuses on removing clutter and overstimulation and creating spaces geared towards promoting rest and relaxation,” says Becky George, our bedding expert.
“This is not limited to selecting a calming wall color or bedding but also includes elements like rugs, curtains, chairs and other soft furnishings,” she explains.
And if your wallet is still recovering from the holidays, Becky explains you don’t have to break the budget to achieve the look:
“The key is balance and intention, rather than packing your room with all the trending decor items you could find.”
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