Karl Lohnes: Let’s conquer winter with these hibernation helpers

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Winter has arrived and the holiday sparkle is gone. January can seem like the longest and most monotonous month of the year. Subzero temperatures, lack of natural light and lockdowns have many of us looking to escape, spending more time in the familiar comfort of our bed.

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Yes, sometimes the best solution to the stress of life is to stay in bed. Call me old bear, but I think this is the month to give us a comfortable and elegant place to dream of winter. That’s why this grizzly brings you his favorite dreamy ways to snuggle up in the coziest bed and get the best sleep possible.

build your bedding

Bedding adds style, warmth and comfort to a winter bedroom. I love covering the bed with soft, good-quality sheets (I’m a fan of flannel), fleece or quilted blankets for extra warmth, and washable, easy-care duvet and pillowcases. The latter are necessities because, let’s face it, spending more time in bed watching movies and having phone conversations often includes coffee and snacks. Duvet and pillow covers make necessary washing much easier.

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The relaxed yet elegant look of distressed linen or crinkled cotton (found throughout the bedding section at Marshalls) is on trend this winter. You can promote that cool 2022 look by choosing warm colors like amber or terracotta. Complement with blankets and cushions in complementary colors to give it more strength. For example, do you love amber or ocher bedding? Add some accessories in shades of blue for variety. With terracotta, complement with green.

Must-haves like a headrest pillow, tray, and flexible reading lamp will make spending time in bed that much more comfortable for watching TV, eating, or reading.

time with baby

A bassinet helps everyone in the house be more comfortable and sleep better. Having newborns at the bedside when they first come home makes nighttime feedings, changing and soothing less of a hassle and maximizes sleep for tired parents, or those who want to spend more time relaxing in their own bed while keeping the baby close.

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The versatile Skip Hop Cozy-Up Bassinet and Night Bed features eight height positions to keep your child within arm’s reach. It’s on smooth wheels, so it’s easy to move parent to the other side of the bed for a few hours, or you can place it on one side of the bed for added security. An easy-access side panel lets you reach without getting out of bed.

Your baby’s transition to other areas of the house is also a breeze thanks to the training wheels, making this a better bassinet for their first few months. Some soothing melodies (not too loud) and a clip-on mobile will make baby enjoy a waking moment with the family.

Setting a new standard

Spending more time in bed won’t be relaxing if your mattress is at the wrong comfort level or too old. I’m always prattling about easy ways to make your bed more comfortable: a mattress pad and better pillows are easy ways to update an old mattress. But if what you have is worn out and unsupportive, it may be time to invest in a better mattress.

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Montreal-based mattress manufacturer Polysleep has the perfect solution. The Zephyr luxury mattress is an investment, but its many features promise better sleep. For example, the temperature-regulating hybrid foam mattress is infused with a layer of GelFlex Plus, gel particles that help cool you when you’re hot and warm you when you’re cold.

Now all I have to do is download a few Sleep Stories (bedtime stories that help adults fall asleep, from apps like Calm) to let my mind drift to a good night’s sleep, and I’ll be ready to conquer. winter. See you in the spring, or next week; whatever comes first in my dreams.

Have a decorating dilemma or want more decorating inspiration? Follow Carlos on Instagram @karl_lohnes.