Finding the perfect blanket for your bed can be a challenging process. Depending on the season, your sleeping preferences, finding the perfect blanket can be challenging. We will break down some factors that can influence your decision and provide some guidance on what the best blanket is for whatever your sleeping situation looks like. First let's take a look at the fabrics most commonly used for blankets. Different fabrics can often be the determining factor in which blanket is best for you to sleep with.
Fabric choices
Wool
The warmest option, wool will keep you warm in the coldest weathers. Wool is naturally hypoallergenic and has great moisture-wicking properties helping to prevent you from getting sweaty. Although a great option for the winter, most wool products cannot be put in a washing machine so that is one factor to consider when choosing a blanket.
Fleece
One of the softest options on the list, fleece is known for being plush and comfortable. Effective at trapping body heat, this synthetic fabric usually made of polyester is extremely durable and moisture resistant. Fleece can be warmer than wool as well as much lighter. Fleece is a great option for the colder winter months to snuggle up with, and makes a great fabric choice for throws.
Down
Considered one of the best and most luxurious options in fabrics. Much like a down comforter, down blankets are made of the same high-quality material but thinner and lighter. Down blankets have a feathered layer in between two layers of fabric, often cotton. Down products often have a fill power associated with each product, but what is fill power?
Fill power indicates the relative quality of the down, and is determined by how many cubic inches of loft one ounce of that down will fill. The higher the fill power the greater the insulating efficiency.
Cotton
One of the most breathable materials, cotton is the fabric of choice for summer. This hypoallergenic fabric also has good moisture control, and light insulation properties. Naturally absorbent, cotton won’t show perspiration like synthetic fabrics, helping to keep you naturally dry. Due to its organic nature, cotton is also much more breathable than synthetic options to help keep you cool. Cotton is strong and tough, and easy to clean. You will not get any pilling, and it is a durable choice. Cotton is an all around great choice, which is why humans have been using it for thousands of years.
Synthetic
A good alternative to down, especially for those who have allergies. Synthetic fibers have good elasticity, and they don't wrinkle as easily as organic fabrics. Synthetics are less expensive, durable, and readily available to most consumers. Synthetic fibers also blend well with other fabrics making them easy to incorporate. These fibers tend to be more stain-resistant as they don't absorb water readily. Depending on the type of synthetic fabric changes how much insulation is provided. Microfibers are short and thin and offer a lot of warmth making them a great choice for winter blankets to sleep with.
Now that we have a good basis for the materials these blankets are most commonly made from, let's dive into the different types of blankets.
Types if blankets
Weighted
Weighted blankets are comforters that are filled with a heavy material such as glass beads, rice, or plastic pellets. These fillings add extra weight, making these blankets weigh anywhere from 5 to 36 lbs. The point of this extra weight is to add to stimulate a technique called deep pressure stimulation, which helps the user feel more secure and aids in relaxation. Weighted blankets are a great choice for those who have difficulty falling asleep, or have anxiety as the deep pressure stimulation can aid in both.
Comforters
Comforters are one of the most common blankets in North America, these are thick, often quilted and fluffy blankets to keep you warm. Usually filled with synthetic fibers or down, sometimes filled with cotton or wool. These blankets are often segmented by quilting allowing the filling to stay evenly distributed throughout the blanket. There are a wide variety of patterns and styles to choose from making comforters an easy choice to match any bedroom design.
Duvets
Similar to comforters, duvets are thick blankets that are also quilted for even distribution of their fillings. Duvets are also filled with synthetic fibers, down, or wool. The separating factor is that duvets are usually plain white and come inside a duvet cover, allowing you to change the style of your blanket by simply swapping covers. With comforters the design you buy is the design you get.
Quilts
Quilts are thin, quilted blankets composed of up to three layers. The top layer, the inner batted layer, and the bottom layer. The top layer tends to be different pieces if fabric is stitched together to make a pattern or complex ornate stitches to conjoin different fabrics. The middle layer is usually a thin layer of down or wool, and the bottom layer is a single sheet of fabric. Handmade quilts tend to offer more warmth than the thinner machine-manufactured varieties. Depending on the fabric your quilt is made of will determine the best uses for it. In the summer a light cotton quilt can be a great decorative blanket for your bed, in the winter thicker fabric choices like flannel will help keep you warm.
Throws
Throws, often just referred to as blankets, are made of a single sheet of fabrics such as polyester, flannel, wool, or fleece. Throws are the most versatile of the options in this list. Depending on the material they are made of they can be used in both the summer and winter. They make great accessories and you can find a place for a throw in almost every room in your home. Whether they are a decorative throw on your bed or couch, or even a chair throw. It can drape over furniture or be hung on a wall to give you access to a manageable blanket wherever you need one.
Seasonality can influence your choice in blankets, a down comforter might be too thick in the summer leading to sweating and an uncomfortable nights rest. The blow section will help guide you on the best blankets for sleeping in different seasons.
Seasonality
The season will often determine the best blanket for sleeping, with more substantial and warmer blankets being favored in the colder months, and lighter more breathable materials being used in the summer.
Summer and Hot Sleepers
Throws
Throws are a great option for the summer months, and for those who get hot when sleeping. Only one layer, depending on the material it is made of will be light enough to keep you from sweating when you sleep, making throws one of the best options for sleeping.
Light Quilts
Similar to throws, lighter quilts and those made from breathable materials are a good option for summer. Due to their three layers quilts will offer more warmth than a throw, so if you find that throws are not enough to keep you warm at night try switching to a quilt.
Thinner Comforters or Duvets
Comforters and Duvets are so popular because of their versatility. Lighter more breathable options can work well in both summer and winter. If you find quilts and throws are not enough, maybe it's time to try one of these options. Still cold? Try a decorative throw on top to give you just a little extra warmth.
Winter and Cold Sleepers
Weighted Blankets
The very nature of weighted blankets makes them a warmer option, great for the winter. The extra materials inside of weighted blankets adds to the insulation factor. Depending on the weight you prefer, weighted blankets can be the only blanket you need at night. If you like weighted blankets and want to have them in the summer, trying a lighter weight and more breathable fabric are options for you to get the best night's sleep.
Comforters and Duvets
These options can also keep you warm in the winter, depending on the materials filling your comforters and duvets you can get away with using them year round. If you have a more breathable fabric and find it is not the best option for sleeping in the winter, try supplementing with a throw or a quilt.
Quilts
Quilts are a classic winter blanket option. The three layers they have can provide a good amount of comfort and warmth to make sleeping with them a breeze. If you have harsher winters finding a quilt made of a flannel or other thick material will help keep you warm through the night giving you a great night's sleep.
Throws
Throws are such a versatile option they work well in ever changing weather. In the winter having throws on your couch or chairs to provide the extra warmth when lounging in your house can be a fantastic option. If you find you are cold while sleeping in the winter, throws can be that supplemental option to keep you nice and cozy during the night. Finding the right throw can be hard, Denali has some great options to fit with whatever your home decor style is. Check out the full collection of throw blankets here!
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