Scandinavian Sleep Method: Duvet Setup

It is a way for couples to share one bed without sharing a cover. Each person sleeps under their own single-size duvet or comforter, says Sleep Foundation.

The name comes from how popular this setup is in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. It went viral on TikTok in October 2023, after a post by Swedish influencer Cecilia Blomdahl, Sleep Foundation reports. Duvets are the traditional choice, but comforters or blankets work too.

In a 2024 survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), 10% of people said they had tried the Scandinavian sleep method.

It is not a sleep divorce. In a sleep divorce, partners sleep in separate beds or rooms. In the same AASM survey, 29% of Americans said they had slept in another bed in the same bedroom, or in another space at home, to accommodate a bed partner. With the Scandinavian method you stay in the same bed. Only the covers are separate.

No study has tested it directly. Sleep researchers writing in The Conversation say there is no research that tests two blankets against one. They call it a practical "sleep hygiene hack," not a scientifically tested sleep method.

They also say it fits with healthy sleep habits, so it could reduce the disturbance that comes from sharing a blanket. Sleep Foundation lists the likely gains. Each person controls their own temperature. Nobody hogs the blanket. A partner who goes to bed late or gets up early can get in and out with less disturbance.

Some problems stay. Movement still travels across the mattress, and two duvets do not stop snoring or sleep talking, Sleep Foundation notes. If one partner has restless legs syndrome, it says a motion-absorbing mattress or separate beds may be needed.

If snoring is the problem, AASM says the snorer should talk to a doctor about obstructive sleep apnea. Snoring with choking, gasping or pauses in breathing is a strong warning sign, according to AASM. This page is not medical advice.

Sleep Foundation says most couples choose two Twin or two Twin XL duvets, each covering about half of the bed. Naturepedic, a mattress brand, says two Twin duvets usually give enough coverage on a Queen, and two Twin XL duvets fit better on a King. Treat that as one brand's view.

Width is rarely the problem. Our comforter size chart lists Twin and Twin XL comforters at about 66–68 inches wide. Two of them add up to 132–136 inches. That is more than twice the width of a 60-inch Queen.

Here is how we did the math in the table. We assume each duvet lies flat and is centered on its sleeper's half of the bed. Then it hangs the same amount past the outer edge and past the middle: (duvet width − half-bed width) / 2. On a Queen, each half is 30 inches, so a 66–68-inch duvet hangs 18–19 inches on each side. In the middle, the two duvets overlap by 36–38 inches. On a King, each half is 38 inches, so the overhang is 14–15 inches and the overlap is 28–30 inches.

Want less drop at the outer edge? Slide both duvets toward the middle. Every inch you take off the outer drop adds two inches of overlap. These are flat-bed numbers. A deep mattress leaves less fabric below the edge.

Length is the tighter limit. A Queen and a King are both 80 inches long. A Twin comforter at 86–88 inches leaves 6–8 inches for the foot of the bed and any tuck. A Twin XL at 90–92 inches leaves 10–12 inches. So on a Queen or King, Twin XL is often the safer length. Twin can still work on a Queen if you do not need much at the foot.

A California King is 72 x 84 inches. That extra length leaves only 2–4 inches with a Twin and 6–8 inches with a Twin XL. Twin XL is the closer fit, and it is still short for a deep tuck.

A Full bed, at 54 x 75 inches, is the hard case. Each half is only 27 inches wide, so the duvets overlap by 39–41 inches. The Conversation warns that on a bed smaller than a Queen, two covers can be tough to balance without one sliding off. Sleep Foundation suggests letting them overlap in the middle, buying smaller duvets, or moving to a larger bed.

Size names vary by brand. Measure your mattress and check each duvet's listed width and length. If your bed is two mattresses, our split king guide covers that setup. If you are choosing between the two sizes, our Twin vs Twin XL guide compares them.

Sleep Foundation describes a fitted sheet and two duvets side by side, and says the method typically does not use a top sheet. Naturepedic also recommends skipping the top sheet. Our top sheet guide covers that choice in more depth.

Each person uses a duvet with a removable, washable cover, Naturepedic says. So you need two covers, one per insert. Our duvet cover size chart shows how to match a cover to the insert.

Sleep Foundation says the duvets may overlap a little in the middle, and you can tuck them in at the foot so they stay in place. For a neater look during the day, fold each duvet in half lengthwise, or lay a throw or quilt over both. Two matching duvets also hide the split.

Yes. That is the core idea. Sleep Foundation says hot sleepers may prefer a thinner duvet with less fill, or just a thin blanket. Cold sleepers may prefer a thick, heavy duvet.

The Conversation explains why partners differ. Body temperature at night varies with age, body composition, hormones and whether you are a morning or evening person. Hot sleepers tend to prefer light, breathable fabrics. Cold sleepers lean toward heavier, insulating ones.

The two duvets can share a size and cover style and still have different fills. That keeps the bed looking even while each person gets their own warmth. Our comforter weight guide, linked below, explains fill weight and warmth.

Cuddling is harder. Two people do not fit under one small duvet, says Sleep Foundation. It suggests cuddling first, then moving under your own duvet to sleep.

The bed looks less tidy, with a visible seam down the middle. A throw, a quilt or folding the duvets lengthwise helps. Small beds are tricky too. See the Full bed math above.

There is more laundry. Two duvets mean two covers to wash and put back on. That follows from the setup itself.

It still costs less than the bigger fix. Sleep Foundation notes that two duvets are less costly than two beds, and you keep one mattress and one set of sheets.

If you both like the same warmth and neither of you pulls the covers, one shared comforter is easier to make and easier to cuddle under. That is our reading of the trade-offs above, not a test result.

If you want one comforter with two warmth levels, or want to compare specific comforters for two sleepers, see our guide to the best comforters for couples, linked below. We do not pick products on this page.