Design & Decorating: Make a Better Bed --- Want to lay your head down in comfort and style, all year-round? Whether you run hot or chilly, don't sleep on these pro tips.

"Before endless summers and wonky winters became the norm, the change of seasons was a reliable cue that it was time to give your mattress an outfit change. Now, however, fickle forecasts have turned that task into a head-scratcher, whether you're prone to goosebumps or night sweats. The panacea, according to the design pros we polled: Invest in an edited roster of sheets and overlays, in a variety of weaves and weights. Then deploy them strategically as the weather fluctuates from toasty to cool or somewhere maddeningly in-between.

Don't fret. It's not as complicated as it sounds -- and your own closet can offer inspiration. "Dressing a bed is much like dressing yourself -- it's all about the layers," said Boston interior designer Honey Collins.

Here, expert guidance on sheets, blankets and the fine art of mixing and matching your way to a good night's sleep.

In Warm Weather

In torrid temps, breathable, natural-fiber bed sheets can make the difference between peaceful dozing or agitated starfishing atop the covers. Crisp cotton sateen sheets -- we like those from Matouk and Biscuit Home -- help regulate body temperature with a bit of sheen and add a little glam to boot. For a top layer, Nashville, Tenn., designer Kate Figler turns to a lightly quilted cotton blanket, and recommends John Robshaw's imperfectly pretty block-printed Nandi quilt as a particular favorite. "[These blankets] add a touch of weight without too much heat and are safe for the washer and dryer," she explained.

A pair of oversize linen shams stylishly completes the ensemble -- and will please hotheaded sleepers. Linen, which naturally wicks away moisture, is an optimal summer fabric, says Los Angeles linens stylist Liz Barbatelli.

In Cold Weather

Except perhaps among 10th century Vikings, blustery weather has traditionally activated an urge to huddle under a pile of heavy blankets until spring. But a less-is-more bedding approach might actually be the winning strategy, says San Francisco designer Marea Clark. Come winter, she pairs a mid-weight down comforter with an alpaca throw, a naturally hypoallergenic option that feels light but brings extra heat when needed.

To stay toasty between the sheets, Minneapolis designer Melissa Oholendt turns to Parachute's brushed-cotton sheets, which are "breathable but also incredibly warm and cozy."

Indeed, though few view cotton as a cozy winter fabric, the fiber can be incredibly versatile for layering. If a deep-freeze hits, Collins suggests tucking a simple cotton blanket between your duvet and sheets. And, she says, you needn't be boring about it. "It's a great place to introduce subtle patterns or textures, like a waffle weave or a herringbone."

In-Between Weather

Sheets and blankets might be the first place your mind goes when considering bedding -- but don't overlook other essentials, urges Barbatelli. "The perfectly made bed is at the discretion of the beholder, but the first step is a high-quality mattress pad," she said. Roger Higgins of R. Higgins Interiors in Nashville, Tenn., favors a wool mattress pad -- which is warm in winter and cool-enough in summer -- and finds it a game-changer for keeping sleeping conditions copacetic in variable weather.

Year-round, London designer Sally Wilkinson likes the cooling effects of percale sheets from Sferra for their hotel quality, and typically swaps in a sateen quilted coverlet for a bulky duvet. One of Wilkinson's go-to versions, a luxe design by Yves Delorme with rounded corners and dot stitching, adds "dressiness" but is also machine washable. Used alone, or piled atop a thinner blanket, it's an ideal mix of chic and convenience." [1]

1. OFF DUTY --- Design & Decorating: Make a Better Bed --- Want to lay your head down in comfort and style, all year-round? Whether you run hot or chilly, don't sleep on these pro tips. Poletto, Christina.  Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 07 Sep 2024: D.9.