How To Curate A Cozy Night In

I’m not a particularly good sleeper. It’s a bit of a running joke at the office: my deskmate, Chatelaine deputy features editor Erica, is a new mother and she somehow manages to get more shut-eye than I do despite waking up several times throughout the night. And though I don’t get much deep sleep according to my beloved Oura ring, I’d be willing to bet that I spend more time in bed than most: there’s nothing I love more than being cozy, and there’s nowhere cozier than my bedroom. 

I consider myself an expert on the subject: I take to being horizontal with the kind of enthusiasm most people reserve for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. Whenever I have a free moment, I pencil in what I call “duvet time” and look forward to it all week. Cancelled plans delight me because it means more time to be cozy. When it’s cold and dark outside, what is a girl to do but put on her comfiest pyjamas, get into bed ridiculously early and snuggle with a good book?

My Cozy Bedroom Essentials

I take being comfy very seriously and I’d like to think that I’ve developed the ultimate cozy routine. It’s not just that I enjoy being home in bed (though I do!)—after a week of meetings, work events and social commitments, it’s how I recharge. Here’s my tried-and-true set-up for a slow, intentional night in that leaves me feeling refreshed.

The luxe bedding that keeps me cool

I got my first set of linen sheets in 2020, and I never looked back. As a hot sleeper, I can vouch for linen’s temperature-regulating properties, but it’s the softness that made me a convert. I never knew slipping into bed could feel so luxurious. It may not be for everyone, but I also think there’s nothing more chic than the lived-in, slightly creased look of linen bedding.

Wilet The Linen Sheet Set in Queen, $430

I donated all the scratchy, mismatched hand-me-down bedding I had been collecting since university and got myself a couple of sets from Wilet, a Vancouver-based company that makes the most beautiful linen sheets and duvet sets. It was a spendy update, but 100 percent worth it.

The sleepwear I can always rely on

I don’t always wear matching pyjamas to bed, but I always, always wear a cute set when it’s time to get cozy. There’s something about nice pyjamas that immediately signals to my brain that we’ve entered relaxation mode. It’s the sartorial equivalent of tidying my nightstand or checking in the last item off my to-do list before I get in bed: it clears my mental clutter.

Kip Premium Cotton Short Set, $220

I own four sets of pyjamas by Canadian sleepwear brand Kip in various fabrics and styles, but my most-worn is the short premium cotton set. The oversized fit is super comfortable and flattering, and the cotton is breezy but structured enough to keep its shape through years of constant washing. I always take advantage of the free monogramming service for an extra special touch.

The indulgent beauty routine I swear by

My nighttime skincare routine is pretty pared-back by social media standards, but I still like to pamper my skin once in a while. Right now, I’m enjoying LED light therapy, ultra-soothing face masks and mess-free eye patches.

Shark CryoGlow Cooling + LED Face Mask, $500

I’m a big fan of at-home LED light therapy—there’s some very compelling science behind the technology, and I’ve seen its calming properties first-hand on inflamed patches of rosacea on my cheeks. This has become part of my daily routine, and consistency is key. Lying in bed with this LED light therapy mask feels like a mini spa session—I especially love the built-in cooling eye patches to depuff, which sets this mask apart from others on the market.

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Skin Barrier Moisturizing Mask, $14

When my skin is in need of a serious reset, I love this sheet mask that’s soaked in an ultra-soothing, ceramide-infused serum that penetrates deep into the skin.

Rhode Peptide Eye Prep Depuffing Eye Patches, $38 for 6 pairs

I’m obsessed with these cooling gel patches powered by peptides, caffeine and glycerin. I like that they’re not soaked in liquid, so they stay put and don’t slip and slide around. 

The ambience essentials that set the mood

Warm, dim lights and the perfect temperature are absolutely necessary to achieve peak coziness. Now that temperatures are cool enough, I’m taking a cue from Scandinavian sleep customs and I open my bedroom window for a few minutes before I get into bed to let the fresh air in. To make it extra comfy, I warm up the bed with my trusty heating pad. Heaven! I don’t burn candles or use diffusers in my bedroom, but I will sometimes spray on a light body mist (like Salt & Stone’s grounding Santal & Vetiver spray) for a hotel-like atmosphere.

Casper Glow Light, $189 for a pair

I’m on my second set of Casper Glow lights and haven’t found anything I like as much. They radiate a warm, self-dimming light that has often lulled me to sleep, and I can adjust the intensity of the light simply by twisting them. They're also extremely portable, so perfect for middle-of-the-night bathroom visits.

Pure Enrichment PureRelief Heating Pad, $58

I've used this heating pad nearly every day for years. I initially got it to soothe stomach cramps and muscle aches, but I also love to use it to "pre-heat" my bed before I get under the covers. It has six heat settings and an auto-off function, so I don't have to worry about falling asleep with it on.

Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Body Mist, $61

This blend of sandalwood, amber, cedar and vetiver remind me of a fancy hotel.

The activity that's replaced doomscrolling 

After studying literature for many years, I didn’t think I’d ever find joy in reading again. In 2025, I set myself the goal to finish 30 books by the end of the year in an effort to rediscover my love for reading. (I ended up surpassing my goal, and I'm aiming for 32 this year.) I had a slow start, but I eventually found my stride with thrillers and romances. 

Summer in the City by Alex Aster, $22

I recently finished Summer in the City by Alex Aster. It's delightful enemies-to-lovers story about a screenwriter who moves to New York City seeking inspiration for her new script and ends up living next to a tech CEO she had a brief hookup with two years prior and subsequently cannot stand.

It’s Different This Time by Joss Richard, $27

After reading Mishal Cazmi’s interview with Canadian author Joss Richard in her newsletter Small Joys, one of my favourite monthly reads, I immediately added my name to the library’s wait list for It’s Different This Time—what’s cozier than a second-chance romance set in New York in the fall?

Hot Desk by Laura Dickerman, $23

Our editor-in-chief and resident bookworm Maureen Halushak recommended this book in one of her round-ups last fall. I can’t wait to dig into Hot Desk by Laura Dickerman, which she described as “a love letter to the book publishing industry.”

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