Why Southerners Have Summer Bedding

We’ll try anything to beat the heat.

We’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t look forward to getting into their cozy, blanket-laden bed at night and snuggling up under their comforter, but when it’s 90+ degrees outside and you’re trying not to rack up the power bill, something's gotta give. And of course, Southerners have their own method for achieving the best of both worlds.

When you live in the South, the summer months can easily turn from breezy to blistering, and cranking up the AC doesn’t always cut it when you’re trying to cool down at night. Before powerful home air conditioning systems became the norm, Southerners figured out the secret to a bearable night's sleep: lighter linens. Even before the days of window units, the South primarily relied on screen windows, ceiling fans, and the hope of a breeze to help cool down their homes and keep the air from turning stale during the hottest months. So when the warm weather rolled around, Southerners would prepare by swapping out their bedding to suit the season.

Rather than waking up in a pool of sweat, having kicked off all the covers in the middle of the night, change out your heavy-down comforter for a lightweight quilt, thin blanket, or linen duvet. A good in-between option is a coverlet, as it offers the lightness of a blanket or quilt with the coziness of a comforter.

When considering fabrics and materials, linen is known for being cool and comfortable. It's a great year-round duvet option, as it’s woven from natural fibers that make it breathable, naturally cooling, and moisture-wicking. Best of all, linen is a strong fiber which means it will easily withstand countless wash cycles, only getting softer with use.

There is also a mood-boosting benefit to refreshing your spaces as the seasons change. When it comes to your sleep space, bedding is the quickest and easiest way to do so. Updating your layers goes beyond just tucking away heavier blankets and bringing out the linen. Give your space a summer-ready look by swapping your cozy, dark shams for light-and-bright pillow covers and changing your thicker sheets for cooling ones.

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Read the original article on Southern Living.