A few years back, I traveled to Finland for work. It was one of those trips that stays with you—the kind that feels more like an adventure than a business obligation. In just a few days, I found myself feeding reindeer, hopping in and out of saunas, and, in a particularly bold moment, plunging into icy water that made me gasp for air. But one of the most surprising takeaways from that trip wasn’t the scenery or the food—it was the way the Finns sleep.
At the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, where we stayed, the rooms were nothing short of magical. Floor-to-ceiling windows opened out to snowy forests, making the whole place feel like a winter fairytale. But beyond the view, what caught my attention was the bed. Unlike anything I’d seen before, it wasn’t made with a single oversized comforter or flat sheet. Instead, it was a king mattress with two separate twin comforters—one for each person. No tucking, no tug-of-war. Just two duvets side by side.
At the time, I thought it was genius. But like most people, I came home and went right back to my usual bedding setup—one big comforter that my partner, Craig, and I battled over night after night. That is, until recently.
Why We Needed a Change
Fast forward a few years, add the chaos of parenthood, and suddenly sleep felt more precious than ever. We were already running on fumes, and the nightly blanket struggle wasn’t helping. I’d wake up freezing with no covers, while Craig swore I was the one hogging them. Either way, neither of us was getting the deep, restorative sleep we so badly needed.
That’s when I remembered the Scandinavian bedding I’d experienced in Finland and thought, why not give it a try here at home?
What Is the Scandinavian Sleep Method?
At its core, the Scandinavian Sleep Method is simple: each person gets their own duvet. Instead of one large comforter draped across the bed, you layer two smaller ones side by side. No flat sheet, no blanket tug-of-war. Just personal comfort tailored to each sleeper.
This approach is common throughout much of Northern Europe, where people view bedding as personal rather than shared. The idea is that sleep is individual—what works for one person doesn’t always work for another. By giving each partner their own comforter, you eliminate arguments, restless tossing, and that dreaded feeling of being left in the cold at 2 a.m.
Why It Works
- No More Blanket Wars
This is the most obvious perk. With two duvets, no one has to compromise. You pull yours as high, low, or snug as you want, and your partner can do the same. - Customizable Warmth
Maybe you’re always freezing, while your partner is a human furnace. With the Scandinavian method, each person can choose the thickness or material that suits them best. Down, cotton, lightweight, extra warm—you do you. - Better Sleep Quality
When you’re not being woken up by blanket stealing (or having to yank covers back in the middle of the night), your sleep naturally becomes deeper and less interrupted. And as any tired parent—or tired anyone—knows, uninterrupted sleep is pure gold. - Surprisingly Easy to Make the Bed
I worried two duvets would make the bed look messy, but it’s actually the opposite. In the morning, you just fold each comforter neatly on its side of the bed. No wrestling with a giant sheet or tucking corners. It feels effortless and tidy.
Our Experience
After just a week of switching to the Scandinavian method, Craig and I were both converted. I could finally cocoon myself in blankets without worrying about waking him up, and he could sprawl without leaving me shivering. The bed looked neat in the mornings, and the entire atmosphere of bedtime felt calmer.
It was such a simple change, but the effect on our sleep (and our moods) was huge. We weren’t waking each other up nearly as often, and we felt more rested in the mornings. It was as if we had unlocked a little Scandinavian secret that had been hiding in plain sight all along.
How to Try It at Home
If you’re curious to test out the Scandinavian Sleep Method yourself, it’s easy to set up:
- Start with your usual mattress size.
- Skip the flat sheet (though some people like to keep one, just in case).
- Instead of one king or queen comforter, buy two twins (or two singles, depending on your bed size).
- Pick duvet covers that either match for a cohesive look or mix-and-match for a little personality.
That’s it—you’re in business.
A Small Change, A Big Difference
It’s funny how something so small can make such a big impact. For us, trying the Scandinavian Sleep Method was about more than just staying warm. It was about reclaiming a little peace at the end of our hectic days, and about finding rest in a way that worked for both of us.
If you’ve ever found yourself shivering at night, battling for blankets, or just wishing you could get a little more rest, I can’t recommend it enough. Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones—straight from a snowy corner of Finland, right to our own bedroom.
So here’s to better sleep, fewer blanket wars, and a little bit of Scandinavian magic tucked under the covers.
