Separate Covers aka the Scandinavian Sleep Method

In the name of better sleep, you may have considered sleeping apart from your beloved. If you haven’t ever contemplated such a thing, you’ve certainly heard of others doing it. But what does sleeping separately really mean? Is it separate beds in the same room? Is it (gasp) completely separate bedrooms? Perhaps, but have you ever thought about sleeping together, in the same bed, but with separate covers – aka the Scandinavian sleep method?

This was a new concept to me not so very long ago. I couldn’t quite get my head around how that would work. I mean, how do you tuck everything in at the foot of the bed? What about the sides? Is there a bunch of overlap, or do the separate covers get mixed up together as you sleep? How do you make the bed in the morning, and does it look nice or is it funny looking?

What I learned has me wondering if this might just be a great idea.

What is the Scandinavian sleep method?

It’s a clever way for couples to sleep together in one bed, but with their own bedding. Each person can regulate their own little sleep habitat by choosing the exact covers that make them the most comfortable.

It’s called the Scandinavian sleep method because it’s a pretty typical way for people in the Scandinavian countries – Denmark, Norway and Sweden – to set up their beds. People in other parts of Europe use this method too, to a lesser degree, and it’s beginning to catch on in North America.

Typically, you make the bed with one bottom sheet, and two separate covers, one for each partner. In Scandinavia and much of Europe, that means just a duvet for each person. Simplicity!

In North America and some other parts of the world, using only a bottom sheet and a duvet seems just plain weird. But the Scandinavian method can still be used with one bottom sheet, two top sheets, and two blankets, comforters or whatever each of you likes for warmth.

Advantages of the Scandinavian method

Ask a Scandinavian, and they’ll probably tell you it makes perfect sense to have your own little sleep cocoon. Each partner gets the exact level of warmth and insulation that makes them the most comfortable. It’s common for one person to prefer sleeping cooler or warmer than their partner does.

And here’s a big one for most couples…no more cover hogging. When you have your own set of covers, and they have theirs, there’ll be no more waking up, freezing and shivering, desperately gripping the corner of a sheet to your neck. Yep, your better half rolled over and took every last fiber with them.

Likewise, you won’t have to lie there sweaty and uncomfortable, avoiding the moment when you frantically kick off every cover, only to have your mate accuse you of letting all that cold air in.

You and your partner may find your sleep is disturbed way less often if you have your own covers. If either of you is a light sleeper, you know that any little movement from the other side of the bed can pull you right out of slumber.

Finally, sleeping the Scandinavian method way means you still get to be in bed with your one and only. You can still talk and whisper into the wee hours, and you can hear their breathing and feel their presence in the room and the bed all night. That’s definitely an advantage over separate bedrooms, wouldn’t you agree?

Objections to the Scandinavian method

Lots of us here in North America say, “If you’re going to sleep under separate covers, why not just separate beds, or rooms? We’ll object that this separate cocoon will cause a lack of intimacy between partners. After all, how can you just reach over and touch them, you know, skin to skin? How do you snuggle? How do you get any of the good stuff going – if you get my drift? Boom-chicka-wah-wah.

Yes, you’ve created some very superficial barriers with this arrangement. But for Pete’s sake, you haven’t buckled yourself in permanently. The Scandinavians aren’t complaining about a lack of marital intimacy. They must have figured out how to make it work. I’ll bet you’re smart enough too.

And for some people, one of the benefits listed above – hearing and sensing your partner in the bed with you all night – can be a drawback. You can still hear your bedmate snoring, coughing, talking in their sleep, farting. Whatever noises you find objectionable in the same bed will still be there. If that’s really what’s bugging you, separate bedrooms may truly be the best option for you.

What about making a Scandinavian bed?

I’ve wondered about this. How do you make the bed, and how does it look when made up for the day?

The classic technique is to use one fitted bottom sheet, and two smaller duvets draped over the top of the bed. You can overlap them several inches in the middle if you like or line them up with the edges perfectly aligned down the center. When you get into your side of the bed, you just arrange your covers exactly like you like them.

If you’re not into the simplicity of the bottom sheet/duvet only setup, you can use one bottom sheet, and two twin or full (depending on how big your bed is) sheets and blankets, tucking them in at the foot and sides like normal, but, again, either slightly overlapped or aligned down the center.

Then, if you like, you can either put one comforter or bedspread over the whole bed, or you can keep those separate as well. This method allows for independent sleeping comfort, but less actual separation between you and your mate.

There’s another method that provides a more independent sleeping experience. Each partner has your own sleep cocoon (see in the image above). In that method, you fold each duvet or sheet/blanket combo into it’s own little sleeping bag type arrangement. You each slide into your side, but there’s no common under-the-covers ground.

How does the made bed look?

If the two duvets or the sheets and blankets overlap, you may see this as a ridge down the middle of the bed when it’s made. If this bothers you, try it without the overlap. Or use a thicker spread or comforter that will camouflage that line.

If you use the separate, cocoon method, that can look nice without a cover. If it looks unfinished to you, make the bed with one bedspread or comforter over the top for a more traditional look.

You may be hoping for more personal space, better temperature regulation or just keeping your resident cover thief under control. Whatever your reasons, the Scandinavian sleep method might just be something to consider.