Choosing bedding for your boat is very different from choosing bedding for your home. Boat life brings its own set of challenges, from unusual mattress shapes to damp conditions, limited storage space and changing temperatures. The right bedding can make all the difference between restless nights and waking refreshed, ready for the day ahead.
To help, we’ve put together this simple step-by-step guide to choosing the best bedding for your boat.
Step 1: Start with your mattress shape and size
Boat mattresses often come in unique shapes such as V-berths, round ends, or cut-off corners. Standard bedding for rectangular beds often slips off, bunches up, and twists during the night, which makes it hard to get comfortable sleep on board.
The solution to this is made-to-measure bedding, which can be made specifically to fit your mattress. At Ship Shape Bedding, we provide fitted sheets for boats, duvets and mattress protectors to perfectly match your mattress, whatever its shape.
If your bed is an unusual size or configuration, we also offer bespoke options to ensure a flawless fit.
Step 2: Pick materials that work with life on the water
The choice of material is one of the most important decisions when buying bedding for a boat. Unlike in a house, bedding on board needs to deal with moisture, restricted airflow, and the risk of mould.
Cotton bedding for boats:
Cotton is breathable and lets air flow, which prevents overheating. It is soft, hypoallergenic, and creates a healthy sleeping space.
Hollowfibre bedding for boats:
Hollowfibre is light but warm. It dries quickly, resists damp, and reduces the risk of mould. It is also breathable, hypoallergenic, and easy to look after.
Both materials are easy to wash, quick to dry and practical for boat life, making them reliable choices for bedding afloat.
Step 3: Switch bedding with the seasons
Life on board changes with the weather, so your boat duvet should change too.
- 4.5 tog is light and breathable, ideal for warm summer nights or as an extra layer in winter. Our ActiveCool bedding duvets also help regulate heat in warm cabins where airflow is limited
- 10.5 tog is a mid-range choice that works well in spring and autumn, and in milder climates.
- In colder months, many boaters use both a 4.5 tog and a 10.5 tog together. This gives flexibility and extra warmth without relying on one heavy duvet.
Our duvets are made with boat life in mind. They resist dampness, help prevent mould, and can be tailored to fit the shape of your mattress.
Step 4: Think about practicality on board
Storage and upkeep are important considerations when space is at a premium. The best bedding for boats is:
- Easy to store. Duvets that fold down small free up valuable space
- Simple to wash. Machine washable fabrics work best when laundry facilities are limited
- Quick to dry. Bedding that dries fast helps reduce damp problems
By choosing practical bedding, you’ll spend less time worrying about storage and maintenance, and more time enjoying life on the water.
Step 5: Add comfort and style
On a boat, it is easy to think you must pick between practical bedding that saves space and stylish bedding that makes your cabin feel inviting. The good news is you can have both.
Matching bedding sets, supportive pillows, and mattress toppers can all enhance comfort. As well as coordinating bedding with your marine upholstery to add a touch of luxury, helping your cabin feel more like home.
Step 6: Decide between ready made vs. made-to-measure
You may be tempted to adapt standard bedding to your boat, but it is rarely comfortable over time. Sheets made for rectangular beds slip off angled berths or bunch up around corners. Large duvets often hang over the sides and take up too much space in a cabin. The result is bedding that never quite feels right.
Made-to-measure bedding is different because it is cut to match the exact size and shape of your mattress. Whether you sleep in a v-berth, an island bed with rounded ends, or a bunk with unusual corners, fitted bedding stays in place and feels easier to use. It also helps keep your cabin tidy, with less fabric trailing or bunching.
Sleep well on board
Choosing bedding for your boat is about balancing fit, material, practicality, and comfort. With bedding tailored to your mattress and designed for life afloat, you can rest well and wake ready for the day ahead.
Explore our made-to-measure bedding options and find the perfect fit for your boat, or if you would like help choosing, our team is here to share advice and guide you through the options.
