Transitioning Your Bed Set-up for Autumn

Mornings start to become a little fresher, leaves are falling and there’s a nip in the air. In other words, autumn has arrived. Transitioning from summer is an adjustment and not just in terms of sleep. Routines are back, less sunlight makes evenings feel shorter and the temperature drops. To help you make the transition from your summer to autumn bed, the best one for your sleep, we’ve provided some advice and tips on setting up your bed.

How do I transition from a summer to autumn bed?

Similar to your wardrobe, you should have different bedding fabrics depending on the season – and when it’s colder, layers are key. 

If your flat and fitted sheets were linen or cotton in the summer months, you’ll need to store them away for now. Swap them for warmer materials, such as sateen, brushed cotton, or flannel, come late September – or stick with thermoregulating bamboo. These fabrics will provide a warmer sleeping environment. To make your bed extra snuggly: add a velvet throw or wool blanket over your duvet, or invest in a higher tog duvet for the colder months of the year.

Do I need a top sheet in autumn?

You may prefer not to use a top sheet once you move into the colder months, and swap your blanket and sheet for just a duvet covering. Recent findings suggest that the use of a top sheet is dependent on your age group, with Gen Z opting for a duvet cover only, leaving the top sheet behind. The top sheet layer functions as an extra layer to keep you cosy, while also protecting your top layer from sweat and dirt. Our 100% Bamboo Flat Sheet is naturally antibacterial and moisture-wicking, providing a clean and dry barrier for a restful night's sleep. Bamboo provides ventilation and airflow, making it an excellent layer to transition you from the warm to the colder months of the year.

Should I buy a blanket or a throw?

Throw vs Blanket comparison

The best ‘come to bed’ buys during this period of transition are a higher duvet tog (aim for 10.5), wool throws and snuggly blankets. From a styling perspective, the layering effect of a throw is aesthetically pleasing. Throws add an accent to your bed and are usually smaller than blankets. How best to add them to your bed is in their name! They can be thrown over the shoulders or draped across the back of a chair. They also serve as an extra layer of warmth when you need it most. 

Opting for autumnal tones, such as browns, burnt orange, and red, is a great way to add a cosy and welcoming look to your bed. These tones tend to make you feel warmer, too – it’s all in the psychology. In terms of textures, both blankets and throws are available in a variety of fabrics, including wool, cashmere, fleece, and faux fur. It’s what Gen Z would call cosymaxxing. This is a 2025 TikTok trend that centres on maximising your cosy environment to help improve your mental health.

Blankets are usually bigger than throws, covering the bed entirely. Serving as a replacement for your duvet, you can also fold them up at the end of the bed when not in use. Quilted blankets are trending in the interiors world for their vintage look, which gives your space a touch of nostalgia, as well as adding a final layer over a top sheet or your duvet.

Whether you decide on a blanket or a throw is up to you, as both can enhance your bed and keep the cold out.

What duvet tog do I need? 

In the summer, you were probably used to sleeping under a cotton sheet and blanket or a light duvet of 4.5 tog, such as our Cloud Bamboo Summer Duvet. Lightweight and fluffy, they’re designed for hotter weather, but you’ll need a higher tog duvet when it comes to what the English poet, John Keats, described as ‘the seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness.’ 

Our Cloud Bamboo Duvet is a 10.5 tog and provides the ideal coverage to wrap you up during colder autumnal evenings. Crafted with a harmonious blend of science and nature, our Cloud Duvet provides year-round comfort. Filled with 50% bamboo microfibre and 50% Nano-Microfibre™, the fibres are lightweight yet thermoregulating – keeping you snug throughout the night, at the ideal temperature for an uninterrupted night’s sleep.

Why is a change from summer to autumn bedding better for sleep?

The cool side of the pillow is refreshing when the nights are warm, but come October, you’ll find it a rude awakening to the change of season, and this could prevent you from getting the sleep you need. There are a few reasons why you should update your bedding when the temperature drops:

Temperature regulation

Feeling snug and warm in bed with a thicker duvet or covers means you’re less likely to wake up shivering and needing to add layers in the middle of the night, keeping you in deeper sleep cycles.

Circadian rhythm

Your body temperature naturally drops at night as part of your sleep cycle, which is why it's essential to be covered appropriately. When it comes to autumn, if your bed is dressed in only a sheet and blanket ( or even a summer duvet), you’ll feel the cold, disrupting your rhythm. On the other end of the scale, if your covers are too heavy, you’ll overheat, and this also disrupts your rhythm. A temperature of 18°C/65°F is the ideal one for drifting off into dreamland.

Mood boosting

Feeling comfortable and safe cocooned in your soft and cosy covers makes you happier when the weather takes a turn. This helps to lower stress levels. If you’re relaxed, you’ll find it easier to get to sleep. 

Do I need to spend a lot of money?

Updating your bed for autumn doesn’t involve spending money on big-ticket items. You can keep the same mattress and topper as you had in the hotter months, only updating it with thicker sheets and covers. A duvet is an investment, as it should last between five and seven years, so you can store it away during the summer. Cosy season is a beautiful time of year, and you want to be well-rested enough to enjoy every moment of it!