Top Winter Quilt Options for Cold Weather
Sumptuously soft and warm, the coziest quilts for winter seem custom-made for chilly nights and look lovely whether used alone or layered over other bedding. Winter quilts come in a variety of cold-weather fabrics, from flannel and velvet to cashmere and jersey knit. With solid, patchwork, and patterned styles aplenty, there’s no shortage of options to fit your style and sleeping preferences. Explore our guide to learn what to look for when choosing a quilt fit for the season and find expert tips for layering quilts with other winter bedding.
What to Look for In a Winter Quilt
Several factors influence a quilt’s warmth, including the material with which it’s made and how it’s constructed. Additionally, while coverlets and bedspreads may look similar to quilts, they lack the internal batting that lends a quilt its extra warmth, so pay careful attention when choosing as these products are often grouped together.
Choose Warm, Cozy Fabrics for Winter Quilts
The material that makes up the outer two layers of a quilt—the shell—influences warmth, how it feels against your skin, and how it looks on your bed. Quilts are available in various fabrics to suit your sleeping preference, ideal temperature, and the season or climate.
When choosing a quilt for the winter, consider how primary shell fabrics compare:
| Material | Feels | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Cotton | A classic quilt material, soft and cool to the touch | Breathable, lightweight cotton quilts are ideal for hot sleepers and are perfect for layering with a comforter or duvet in the winter. |
| Flannel | The quintessential cozy fabric; soft, fuzzy, and super snuggly | The raised yarns (nap) created from brushing cotton flannel trap your body heat, keeping you warm even when it’s cold. |
| Jersey Knit | Soft and stretchy like your favorite worn-in T-shirt | Thicker than woven cotton fabrics like sateen and percale, jersey’s tightly knit construction traps warm air to keep you cozy. |
| Velvet | Soft and plush, with a distinct aesthetic perfect for cold winter days | Cotton velvet’s tight weave and short pile trap heat and keep cold air out, so you stay warm all night. |
| Linen | Soft and refreshingly cool to the touch; gets softer every time it’s washed | Naturally temperature regulating linen fibers capture your body heat when you’re warm and release it when you’re cold, so you stay cozy in cold weather without overheating. |
Consider Quilt Construction Details
Beyond the shell material, the two construction factors that influence a quilt’s warmth are how it’s stitched and what type of fill, or batting, is used.
- Stitching: Traditional, intricately stitched patchwork or wholecloth quilts are classic, timeless options, but we love the appeal of lofty, tufted quilts for winter warmth. The sparse, strategic stitching allows greater loft, which traps more air for better insulation.
- Fill: Cotton and synthetic polyester fill are the most common batting options for quilts, and both are suitable for winter. Even though natural, breathable cotton may be better than synthetic polyfills at keeping you warm without overheating, the difference is negligible. Shell material has a more significant impact on your overnight comfort.
- Weight: If you tend to sleep hot or live in a warmer area, layering a lightweight quilt with your bedding may be perfect. For frigid areas or cold sleepers, a heavyweight quilt made of flannel or velvet will provide even more comfort through the chilliest winter nights.
How to Layer Quilts for Winter Sleep
While a quilt may not be enough to keep you warm alone, it’s the perfect layering piece for cold winter nights. Follow our quick tips to layer quilts for winter warmth, no matter your sleep style, climate, or personal preferences.
For Cold Sleepers or Cold Climates
For cold sleepers, especially those who live in snowy or frigid climates, a quilt helps level up the warmth of your bed in winter. Start with snuggly flannel or smooth sateen sheets, add a lofty, insulating duvet-and-cover pairing, then top it off with a velvet, cashmere, or flannel heavyweight quilt that exudes cozy winter vibes. If you’re still worried about mid-sleep shivers, fold your favorite blanket at the foot of the bed. This approach makes it easy to add an extra layer when the weather warrants it or remove bedding pieces if you get too warm.
In the Guest Room
For many, the winter season means hosting holiday guests, and whether those visitors are family or friends, you want to create a comfortable, welcoming place for them to stay. Prioritize versatility when selecting winter bedding; you don’t know what individual guests’ sleeping preferences will be, so aim for balance in the layers you choose.
We love layering a quilt with other bedding pieces so overnight visitors can customize their comfort. Embrace seasonal style when you choose a flannel or velvet quilt, then pair it with breathable percale, TENCEL™ Lyocell, or bamboo-cotton sheets to temper the warmth of the top layers. Feel like printed flannel sheets are the ultimate festive touch? Top them with a lightweight comforter and fold a linen or cotton quilt in a coordinating color palette at the foot of the bed so guests can use the extra layer if needed.
If You Sleep Hot
For hot sleepers or temperate climates, a quilt offers a way to update the bed for the winter without adding extra warmth. Skip the comforter or duvet and use a quilt as your primary top layer all season long. Layer a lightweight cotton, linen, or jersey knit quilt with cozy but breathable winter sheets that keep you warm without overheating. A patchwork design in rich autumn or snowy winter tones adds instant seasonal style. Or, keep things festive with a wholecloth quilt that shows exclusive motifs and designs fitting for holidays.
Quilts offer many benefits for winter sleep: Not only are they warm and cozy, they are easy to wash, lovely to layer, and come in supremely soft fabrics. For more tips on choosing and layering winter bedding, explore our other Guides.