I Tried This Chic 'Hotel Method' Bedding Trick and It's Perfectly Cozy on Chilly, Long Winter Nights – It Looks Effortlessly Stylish, Too

There is something about hotel beds that makes them irresistible, especially in winter when they are somehow always perfectly warm and cozy.

As the nights grow longer and the temperature drops, designers say now is the time to bring that same comfort and chic home with the Hotel Method.

The secret? Layering your sheets to perfection when styling your bed. It's the chic and cozy upgrade your bedroom (and your sleep) deserves this season. I tried it and it really works.

What is the Hotel Method for Warming Bedding?

For interior designer Alice Molloy, layering in interior design, such as your bedding in the Hotel Method, is a year-round essential for ultimate coziness.

She shares, 'Besides being a great way to stay warm this winter, layering up your bedding is the perfect way to add a little luxury too, as it will feel like you are in a hotel, trust me. It’s both a technique and a philosophy: Combining comfort, cleanliness, and visual symmetry to create an inviting, high-end sleep experience.'

As with many things in design, the rule of three applies to the hotel method. Three types of layers form the perfect bed, helping you to keep warm in bed in winter without cranking up the heat.

It is a similar principle to insulating your home, creating layers for pockets of air to be trapped within, keeping heat inside and cold air out. I've been using this trick for years to keep my heating cost down, and the cozy factor up, as long winter nights and the accompanying chill seep into every corner of my drafty Victorian home.

For Marta Pawlik, co-founder and director at luxury holiday let company LAIK, this includes a crisp foundation layer, a layer of comfort, and a layer for added softness.

She shares, 'Generally speaking, I begin with a crisp percale cotton bottom sheet [we love the Brooklinen flat sheets, available in six sizes] followed by a top sheet of either brushed cotton or flannel, depending upon the guest preferences, for softness.

'Then a lightweight wool or down blanket [also available at Brooklinen], and finally a quilted topper or feather duvet. Layering creates depth, comfort, and allows air to circulate throughout all the layers.'

The colorblock wool bed blanket from West Elm is available in three color options and two large luxurious sizes as the perfect final layer. With 80% wool, it is also perfect for breathable, naturally-regulated warmth that won't leave you overheated.

Marta continues, 'Typically, I layer approximately four to five pieces in a standard bedroom within our holiday homes,' she reveals. 'The results are consistently the same – a bed that is visually luxurious, yet easy to climb into after a cold and damp day.'

The real trick, Marta continues, is picking the best bedding materials, as there are some key bedding materials to avoid if you want to avoid waking up in a puddle of sweat.

'Fabric selection is the key element in my layering process. Cotton is breathable, linen helps regulate moisture, and wool retains heat in wet and damp weather conditions. I generally do not include synthetic materials as they retain too much heat and provide little of the inviting heavyweight associated with natural fabrics.'

With everything layered, Alice then recommends pressing the sheets if you want to make a bed the right way or are preparing a guest bedroom for Christmas. 'I don't always do this, but it is good practice to iron or steam sheets. No wrinkles, no visible seams, and precise alignment of everything from pillow edges to duvet fold lines instantly elevates your sleep space.'

What to Shop

All prices correct at time of publication. Bedding prices for king-size beds.

Meet the Experts

Alice Molloy

With over six years’ experience as a qualified specialist in interior design, Alice combines professionalism with a personal touch, getting to know clients deeply to create
spectacular spaces they love. 

Marta Pawlik

Marta co-founded Laik to offer a better way to holiday, one that puts people, place, and design at the heart of every stay. Her background is in hospitality and holiday let management.

With your bedroom cozied up, try some other ways to decorate every room for fall to make your home feel more welcoming in the cold seasons.