Can the Scandinavian Sleep Method Help You Get a Better Night’s Sleep?
A few years ago I went to Finland on a work trip. The experience was incredible, and we did everything from meeting reindeer to plunging into freezing cold water after doing the traditional Finnish sauna. We also stayed at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, and there was something unique about the rooms. In addition to the floor to ceiling glass windows in the rooms, the beds were made Scandinavian style.
At the time I thought it was brilliant. A king bed with two twin comforters and no flat sheet, genius. Despite loving it, I came home and didn’t change anything, until recently. I was tired of tossing and turning in bed (and so was Craig). As sleep-deprived parents, we needed quality rest. So I decided to try the Scandinavian Sleep method. I’m sharing how the Scandinavian Sleep Method works, and if it might be able to help you get a better night’s sleep.
Pictured above: West Elm Side Table, Target Lamp, Scandia Fitted Sheet, Scandia Ultra Light Twin Down Comforter, Scandia Down Blanket (Use code JESSANN20 for 20% off at Scandia).
The Scandinavian Sleep Method
What is the Scandinavian Sleep Method?
While I discovered the Scandinavian sleep method in Finland, it’s said to have originated from Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway and Denmark. The concept is actually very simple. Instead of sharing blankets and getting twisted up in top sheets, partners sleep in the same bed. But each has their own comforter and only use one fitted sheet (no top sheet).
How Does the Scandinavian Sleep Method Work?
Have you ever wrestled with a partner in bed over a blanket? Does the top sheet get pushed down to the end of the bed and wedged between the comforter? Do one of you sleep cold and the other sleep hot? The Scandinavian Sleep method can help with all of the above. I will be the first to admit I did not want to give up my top sheet (it’s a hotly debated issue in the US). But in many European and Scandinavian countries, the top (flat) sheet just isn’t a thing.
Step one in using the Scandinavian Sleep method is ditching the top sheet. Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it. Step two is using two comforters so each person has their own blanket. We have a king bed so we are using two twin comforters and one fitted sheet. What’s amazing is how much you can customize your bedding to make an ideal sleeping environment for both you and your partner. For example, if one of you gets more hot than the other, you could just to use a heavier or lighter comforter. To pull the bed together and make it look cohesive you can add a throw blanket or other quilt on top.
Practical Tips for Trying the Scandinavian Sleep Method
start with a fitted sheet
You don’t need the top sheet with the Scandinavian Sleep Method, so you can skip that part and make your bed with only a fitted sheet. Honestly it’s really nice not using a top sheet (I never thought I’d say that).
use two comforters
Each side gets a comforter, you can even customize the weight depending on personal sleep habits. I tend to get cold while Craig is always hot. We have a king sized bed, so we each use a twin comforter that we fold in half lengthwise when making the bed.
add a quilt and pillows
To pull the look of the bed together and make it cohesive, you can add a blanket, quilt or throw at the end of the bed. You can even get a blanket in the same color as your fitted sheet to tie it all together.
Pros and Cons of the Scandinavian Sleep Method
Some of the obvious pros of the Scandinavian Sleep Method are better temperature regulation at night and less sleep disturbances. If your partner tosses and turns, steals the blanket or the top sheet, it can wake you up and make it harder to get a restful night sleep. If one of you sleeps hot and the other sleeps cold, it can be hard to get the right temperature for sleeping. With two separate comforters you can get the right weight bedding for an optimal sleeping temperature.
One of the cons to this sleep method is that it’s not conducive to cuddling. If you like to snuggle with your partner, two separate blankets can make that tricky, but you can easily overlap them before nodding off to get those cuddles in before snoozing.
Another potential downside is making the bed, it can take slightly longer to make the bed with two comforters, though I have not noticed a difference, and without the top sheet, it’s basically the same amount of time.
At the end of the day, sleep is so important for our mental, emotional and physical well being.
I feel like a completely different person after a good night’s sleep. The Scandinavian Sleep Method can be an effective way to get a better night’s sleep (on top of other healthy sleep habits). If you and your partner fight over comforters, get too hot or too cold, or get tangled up in the top sheet, considering giving it a try. With the right combination of twin comforters, a king or queen bed, and a fitted sheet, the Scandinavian Sleep Method can be a great way to help you sleep more soundly and get the restful night’s sleep you need. It has worked for us, and I can’t imagine going back to the old way!
Have any of you tried the Scandinavian Sleep Method? Share your experience in the comments below.
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I’m going to be the weirdo top sheet defender, but are people washing the whole comforter every week?
Lol that was always my thing too, but no I don’t wash my comforters. I just wash the fitted sheet. I wear pajamas and I shower so I guess I’m just not that worried about it. Also I kicked my dogs out of my bed which was the real dirty part. To each their own though!
Definitely a no go for people like me who run hot! I need a top sheet so I can have my feet covered (to prevent a monster from grabbing them…. As my irrational brain worries at night) but stay comfortable if I need to take the comforter off.
Also I’m way too lazy to wash a comforter regularly enough! Let alone two…
Haha fair enough!
Team no top sheet for life! Actually first experienced when I was teaching abroad in Prague and Budapest (it’s pretty common throughout Europe!). I could not find a top sheet for sale anywhere haha. Nowadays, we wash the comforters or wash the duvets!
Yes! Team no top sheet, never thought I’d say that.
I totally agree! Born and raised in Belgium. But it seems like there’s no duvet cover being used
This was meant to be under Naila’s comment
My parents are European (though not Scandinavian) and this is how I was raised, never a top sheet, and couples have separate duvets. When visiting family or staying in smaller hotels in Europe I’ve often seen “double beds” that are two twins with separate mattresses and frames, pushed together. I kind of love it?!
Also, with regards to washing the duvet, that’s what duvet covers are for!
I love it! And yes re the duvet covers!
We ditched the top sheet several years ago and have never looked back. I didn’t even realize it was a thing in Europe—we just hated it for all the reasons you outlined! We simply wash our fitted sheet and duvet cover now. I can’t imagine ever getting tangled up in a flat sheet ever again!
Hahah same! I put a top sheet on Marin’s new big girl bed and she was like what is this thing get it off!
Have been wanting to try two duvets for years! We’re about to upgrade from a queen to a king size bed in the next few months, so that might be the perfect time to make the switch. I would definitely have to use duvet covers though. I run hot and sometimes break out into a sweat at night, and I don’t think my two cats and big black lab are interested in switching to a no pets on the bed policy, haha.
It’s funny that some people have strong feelings on the top sheet. I’m a total waffler. I’ll use a top sheet or not totally depending on my mood and the season. We do always use a duvet cover though, and maybe that’s what’s tripping people up.
My husband and I have been married for 12 years and have never shared a blanket/comforter. Maybe that’s why we are still married? Lol
Haha! I think you may be on to something.
If you’re tall, you will wake up during the night with very cold feet as the comforter doesn’t stay put. I hated wearing socks in bed and went back to using a top sheet.
So interesting! My husband and I have such different sleep patterns/needs (and I’m an insomniac/light-sleeper) so we took this a step further lol and don’t share a bedroom. Technically that’s still having separate comforters, ha. Better sleep = being a better partner for everything else and being in a better mood