I Tried the Viral Bed Hack Everyone's Talking About and It Changed How I Sleep Forever


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Ever since my husband and I visited Norway in May, I’ve been obsessed with the Scandinavian sleep method. If you haven't heard of it, this approach simply means that instead of a couple sharing one duvet, they each have their own.

We have those classic couple issues: My husband likes to be super warm while he sleeps, while I prefer to be cool. And one of us inevitably hogs the sheet while we sleep, leaving the other catching a major draft. But after one night in Norway sleeping with my own duvet, I was hooked. We both had the best sleep of our lives.

When we got home, I was eager to try it. There was just one issue: I didn't want our bed to look like a wild animal had just made itself at home. Luckily, I’d seen different ways people styled it, like layering the duvets or folding them neatly in half.

illustration
Illustration by Melissa Geurts

I recently gave our room a full-on color drench in the most serene blue hue (Benjamin Moore’s Van Deusen Blue — so dreamy!) so I figured it was the perfect time to level up my bedding situation, too, including not one, but two new duvets. Instead of just winging it, I dove into creating a mood board of my ideal color palette and patterns. I love getting lost in Pinterest rabbit holes for inspo, and always stalk my go-to retailers for their latest drops. Since my bedroom doesn’t get much light, I knew I needed to warm things up with brighter sheets and maybe throw in some classic stripes or checks to make it feel extra cozy for fall. A little collage magic later, and voilà — mood board complete.

scandinavian sleep method mood board
Collage Melissa Geurts

SHOP THE MOOD BOARD: Striped Duvet + Pillow Shams | Blue Checkered Quilt | Blue + Tan Sheets | Cedar Quilt | Gingham Sheets | Brown Checkered Duvet

For extra pops of color and playful patterns, why not mix contrasting hues for a bold statement? Picture a dusty blue paired with a rich burnt orange, or a soft blush balanced with a deep forest green — total vibe shift. And if you and your partner are material opposites (because, let’s be honest, who isn’t?), you can totally work with that too. Linen on one side, flannel on the other? Perfect for winter! The beauty of the Scandinavian sleep method is that each side of the bed is its own little world, so you can both create your perfect sleep setup.

collage
Collage by Melissa Geurts
  1. Contrast: Green Sheets + Pink Stripes

  2. Natural: Nature Duvet Cover + Green Quilt

  3. Prints: Navy Sheets + Block Print Duvet Cover

  4. Tonal: Orange Sheets + Bright Orange and Green Quilt

The Search for the Perfect Bedding

As a hot sleeper who’s all about natural fibers, I naturally gravitated towards Brooklinen’s sheets (I mean, they did just earn the Good Housekeeping Seal, so how could I resist?). For the duvets, I went with two Buffy comforters — another top pick from the Good Housekeeping Institute. Now, about the top sheet? I ditched it — controversial, I know! But honestly, it was just one layer too many to deal with when making the bed. Who knows, maybe I’ll bring it back someday, but for now I’m loving the simplicity.

scandinavian sleep method
Melissa Geurts

To tie everything together, I went with a gorgeous navy-striped duvet cover from The Company Store and added a cozy quilt for extra texture. The stripes perfectly camouflage where the two duvets meet, and the size fits like a dream on my queen bed.

I love when sheets almost skim the floor, so having two twins lets me customize the length just right. I also always size up to a king for quilts or coverlets — it gives that perfect drape and a romantic, effortless look. The duvet covers from The Company Store? Absolute heaven! I’m obsessed with the button closures and corner ties—if you’re stuffing a duvet (twice!), you’ve gotta make sure it stays put. And the quilt at the foot of the bed? It’s basically my secret weapon to keep the cats from turning bedtime into their nightly parkour training.

i tried the scandinavian sleep method
I always look for hidden button enclosures for a tidy look!Melissa Geurts
i tried the scandinavian sleep method
Corner ties are essential to keep the duvet from shifting, especially after double-stuffing.Melissa Geurts

At first, I gave Buffy’s comforter a shot — my husband was a big fan—but as a hot sleeper, I needed something a little lighter. In hindsight, I should’ve gone straight to Emma Seymour, our Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director. She’s a wealth of knowledge. She recommended The Company Store’s Premium Alberta Down Light Warmth Comforter, and explained that the higher the feather content, the fluffier it is. Plus, since down is a natural fiber, it’s way more breathable than down alternatives. Total game-changer. I felt like I was wrapped in a cloud but stayed cool as a cucumber all night long.

Premium Alberta Down Light Warmth Comforter

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Voile Quilt

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Voile Euro Sham

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Organic Cotton Core Sheet Set

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Classic Cool Cotton Percale Bed Duvet Cover

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Classic Cool Yarn-Dyed Cotton Percale Sham

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A Month Later: My Honest Review of the Scandinavian Sleep Method

i tried the scandinavian sleep method
Melissa Geurts

Pros:

  • Personalized comfort: No more late-night blanket tug-of-war!

  • Stylish aesthetic: Layered bedding gives your room a designer look.

  • Improved sleep quality: Individual temperature regulation? Total game-changer.

  • Customizable length: If you love sheets that graze the floor, two twin duvets let you tweak the length just how you like it.

Cons:

  • Laundry day doubles: Twice the duvet covers, twice the laundry.

  • Making the bed takes practice: Getting those duvets to look just right takes a bit more effort.

  • No top sheet: Could be a dealbreaker for the top-sheet lovers out there.

i tried the scandinavian method
Melissa Geurts. Painting by Lars Tveit.

But all things considered, I’m a convert! This method not only ended our duvet battles (finally) but also gave our bedroom a serious style upgrade. And it doesn’t look messy at all—actually, it’s a total vibe. Plus, I’m sleeping better than ever. It even matched my Norwegian art above the bed, so it feels like it was meant to be! I’ve been telling everyone about it. Yes, making the bed takes a little extra time, but trust me, it’s worth it when you’re falling asleep wrapped in your own personal cloud. I stay cool, my husband stays toasty—it’s the best of both worlds. The Scandinavian sleep method is honestly a sleep revolution. It’s like hygge, but with bonus sleep benefits. Time to hit the hay — with our own duvets, of course!

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