December has a way of asking a lot of us. Our calendars fill up, our homes see more visitors, and suddenly the place that should feel most restful—our bedroom—turns into a wrapping station, laundry pile, and luggage drop all at once.
This is the month to bring it back to calm.
At Pom Pom at Home, we think of December as the moment to soften the edges of the year: to layer the bed, quiet the color palette, and create spaces that welcome both you and the people you love. Here’s how to refresh your bedding (and a guest room, if you have one) so your home feels guest-ready, winter-cozy, and deeply peaceful.
1. Begin with a winter palette, not just “holiday colors”
Holiday decorating often jumps straight to bright reds and greens, but your bedding doesn’t have to follow suit. In fact, December is the perfect time to lean into quiet, natural tones that will carry you well past New Year’s Day.
Think in terms of:
-
Winter Whites: layered shades of ivory, cream, and soft ecru instead of a flat, bright white.
-
Warm Neutrals: sand, flax, natural, and greige—colors that feel like candlelight on linen.
-
Grounding Darks: walnut, charcoal, or moss used sparingly in a throw, a plaid, or a single accent pillow to anchor the bed.
Even Pantone is leaning into this mood: its newly announced Color of the Year, Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201), is essentially a soft, airy white—chosen as a calming “blank canvas” in a noisy world and already stirring up plenty of conversation about whether a near-white can really count as a Color of the Year.
Whether you love the choice or find it a little “is this even a color?”, it does highlight what we’ve always believed at Pom Pom at Home: the most timeless spaces are built on nuanced whites and hushed neutrals. Layering different shades of white, ivory, and flax on the bed creates warmth and depth without ever feeling stark or seasonal.
This is exactly where our white–ivory–sand story shines: think Skylar Cotton Percale Sheets in White or Flax, a Hampton Coverlet in Cream or White, and a Balboa Blanket in Sand folded at the foot of the bed for a soft, tonal look that still feels intentional.
2. Build your bed in three thoughtful layers
Instead of thinking “pile on everything because it’s cold,” think three intentional layers. This keeps the bed looking tailored and makes it easy to adapt if you run warm (or if guests do).
Layer 1: Crisp, breathable sheets
Start with cotton or linen sheets that feel cool and smooth against the skin. In winter, a slightly weightier percale or a washed linen with body gives that just-right balance of crisp and cozy.
Our Skylar Cotton Percale Sheet Set is perfect here: finely woven, naturally breathable, and finished with a delicate wave detail along the edge for that subtle, tailored touch. It comes in calm, sophisticated tones like White and Flax that sit beautifully in a winter palette.
Layer 2: The all-season quilt or coverlet
This is your “workhorse” layer—what you’ll sleep under most nights. Look for:
-
Cotton or linen facing for breathability
-
A bit of quilted fill inside for a softly plush hand without bulk
-
A texture or pattern (subtle herringbone, fine stripes, or a soft plaid) that adds visual interest without overwhelming the room
A Hampton Coverlet in White or Cream gives that gentle texture without shouting, while collections like the Brussels Coverlet or Carlyle Coverlet add similar softness in slightly different weaves and quilt patterns. If you’re craving pattern, a Geneva Blanket or Copenhagen Blanket layered over the foot of the bed brings in a quiet, neutral plaid that still reads wintery and calm.
Fold this layer down a third of the way during the day for that relaxed, boutique-hotel look.
Layer 3: The duvet and throw for true winter warmth
On top, bring in a lofty duvet for extra warmth and a final layer of softness. A simple white or ivory duvet—like our classic linen or cotton styles in all-white or soft neutral colorways—keeps the bed looking polished, even when the rest of the room isn’t.
At the very end of the bed, add a throw or blanket in a different weave: a bamboo waffle like Balboa, a handloomed stripe like the Beck Oversized Throw, or something plush and cozy like the Alpine Blanket. This gives you an easy extra layer for especially cold nights, and during the day it reads as texture and depth.
3. Make the guest bed feel like a gentle upgrade—not an afterthought
If you have guests coming this month, think of the guest room (or sofa bed, or daybed) as a small, temporary sanctuary for them.
You don’t need a whole new suite of textiles—just a few considered gestures:
Match the experience, not necessarily the exact set.
If your primary bed has a quilt + duvet + throw, give guests the same structure, even if the patterns are different. It signals care.
Add one surprising luxury.
Maybe it’s a bigger pillow they can sit up and read against, an oversized lumbar, or a super-soft blanket layered across the foot of the bed. A Carlyle Coverlet, an Alpine Throw, Murphy Throw in Ivory or a Camille Oversized Throw in Winter White instantly makes a guest bed feel more special.
Think about temperature.
Fold an extra blanket within reach so they can adjust easily at night without having to ask.
Don’t forget tiny touches.
A carafe and glass on the nightstand, a small dish for jewelry, and a sprig of greenery in a bud vase do as much for comfort as any throw pillow.
The goal isn’t perfection; it’s that your guests feel enveloped the minute they pull back the covers.
4. Layer comfort beyond the bed: bath, landing spots, and little rituals
A December refresh doesn’t stop at the duvet.
In the bath
-
Swap thinner towels for plush, generously sized bath sheets in the same soft palette as your bedroom.
-
Add a hand towel and washcloth stack for guests, tied with a simple ribbon or placed in a basket so they know it’s for them.
-
A small rug or runner in natural fibers instantly warms up cold tile.
At the edges of the room
-
Place a throw over a chair or bench at the end of the bed for slipping on socks, reading, or just tossing tomorrow’s outfit. A textured throw like Beck or a soft neutral like the Brussels or Chatham throws feels inviting even when no one’s using it.
-
If you have a window seat, layer a cushion and a lumbar pillow there—a quiet corner to watch the weather or scroll in peace.
Tiny rituals that feel like luxury
-
A favorite candle or room spray near the bed (not overpowering, just a hint of something herbal, woody, or softly floral).
-
A book or two stacked on the nightstand instead of purely decorative objects.
-
A small tray to keep phone, glasses, lip balm, and a sleep mask contained.
It’s these details that turn a pretty room into a restful experience.
5. A one-afternoon December reset
If time is tight (because, December), here’s a simple refresh you can do in an afternoon:
Strip everything back to the mattress.
Wash what needs washing and edit out anything that feels tired or scratchy.
Rebuild in this order: sheets → quilt/coverlet → duvet → throw.
Choose a calm color story.
Keep the bed to 2–3 colors max; let texture do the talking.
Edit your pillows.
Keep it to what you actually use plus 2–4 decorative: Euros at the back, sleeping pillows in the middle, one or two accents in front.
Clear and reset the nightstands.
Lamp, carafe, one or two personal items, and something living (a small plant or greenery).
Add one soft surprise.
A new set of Skylar pillowcases, a Brussels or Carlyle Coverlet, or an extra Balboa, Beck, or Alpine throw can completely change how your room feels without redoing the entire bed.
By evening, your room will feel like you quietly checked into a boutique hotel, without leaving home.
December doesn’t have to be defined only by full schedules and crowded rooms. With a few thoughtful layers—of linen, of texture, of small rituals—you can reclaim your bedroom (and any guest space) as a place where the whole month feels a little softer.
Whether you’re refreshing your own winter bed, getting ready for guests, or simply craving a calm corner to land at the end of the day, start with the textiles. The right layers do more than keep you warm—they invite you to rest.
