How to Use Your Comforter for Cozy Sleep in Any Season

Comforters are the ultimate cozy bedding piece, and while most people consider this lofty layer a winter item, your comforter can transition easily through any season. With so many comforter options available, you can layer bedding for just-right warmth, any time of year. Explore these tips and ideas for how to use your down or down alternative comforter in any season.

Can You Use a Comforter Year-Round?

Some of our down alternative comforters and all of our down comforters are available in different weights, from lightweight through ultra-warm. Storing multiple comforters to suit the changing seasons is an option—winter comforters for cold months, summer comforters for warm weather. But, if you’d rather not fill the linen closet with comforters of different weights, you can use a midweight or lightweight all-season comforter year-round. Simply layer your comforter with other bedding pieces appropriate for each season to tailor your bed to your sleep preferences. Another alternative is our 3-in-1 comforter that transforms from lightweight to heavy weight in a few quick snaps.

dog on wool mattress pad

How to Layer a Comforter in Winter

Prep your bed for winter with the coziest layers. For people who crave the loftiest, warmest bedding, our extra warm comforters are an incredible choice. But, a lighter-weight all-season comforter can be the perfect option, especially if you live in an area that doesn’t get so cold. To ensure you’re warm enough on chilly winter nights, pair your lightweight or midweight comforter with other winter-ready bedding.

  • Layer your bedding, starting with fuzzy flannel sheets. (The top sheet is optional, but helps keep you cozy.)
  • Next up, add a quilt or coverlet—or two, if you really like to burrow beneath blankets.
  • The comforter comes next: add a flannel duvet cover over your comforter for even more insulating warmth.
  • Keep an extra blanket at the foot of the bed so you can pull it up when the temperatures fall.

Bonus Bedding Tip: Use a wool mattress pad beneath your sheets for added insulation—the wool is both moisture-wicking and breathable, offering extra comfort in any season.

Are Comforters Too Warm For Summer?

When choosing a comforter for summer, breathable, all-season options are often ideal. They’re lightweight enough that you won’t overheat, but layer wonderfully for a little extra warmth on those rare nights when the temperatures dip. Explore these ideas to layer an all-season comforter for summer use:

  • Start with breathable sheets—cotton percale, natural linen, rayon made from bamboo blends, and TENCEL™ Lyocell are often preferred for comfortable summertime sleep.
  • The flat sheet is an optional layer, but if you fall asleep cold and wake up too warm, you may find that the sheet alone or with a blanket is just warm enough.
  • Add a lightweight coverlet if you keep the AC low or prefer to snuggle under many layers.
  • Top the bed with your all-season comforter—if you use a duvet cover, choose a breathable material like cotton or rayon made from bamboo.

With these main layers, you can adjust as needed to stay comfortable all night. Fold down your comforter if you get too warm, or keep a throw blanket within reach if you tend to wake up chilly. If you often wake up sweaty, try adding a moisture-wicking, cooling mattress pad beneath the sheets.

How to Use a Comforter During Shoulder Seasons

In spring or fall, when nights can get chilly, layering your comforter with other lightweight bedding pieces provides adjustable comfort. Just like in summer or winter, when you combine a variety of bedding pieces, you’ve got plenty of layers to pull up or fold down as needed through the night.

  • Choose warmer, breathable sheet fabric—percale sheets may be just right, but if you need something warmer there’s no rule that says you can’t use flannel straight through spring or fall.
  • A quilt or coverlet is the ideal mid-layer because it’s breathable, but not too heavy.
  • Top it all off with a comforter—with or without a duvet cover.
  • Keep a throw blanket at the foot of the bed to chase away any middle-of-the-night shivers.

Update Your Comforter With a Duvet Cover

You don’t have to stick with the same color or pattern all year. Duvet covers are the perfect option for seasonal bedding theme swaps. Even better, the right material can amp up your comforter’s warmth or cool it down. Choose a breathable fabric—like linen, rayon made from bamboo, or TENCEL™ Lyocell—for summertime comfort, or opt for a heavier, warmer material like flannel or jersey knit for winter. Percale and sateen duvet covers are comfortable year-round.

You can use your comforter all year long. Layer the bed with pieces to suit each season, and customize your comfort further when you choose a dual-weight comforter for partners with different temperature preferences. For more seasonal bedding tips, explore our other Guides.