Potato Bed Trend: your cozy escape this winter

The holidays are rolling by, and your schedule is more packed than De Bijenkorf on Black Friday. You still have gifts to score, and somewhere along the way, you also have to play host. Really... sometimes you just want to disappear. Not forever, just for a little while. Decompress, recharge, and shut out the world. See, that's possible with a potato bed. The viral TikTok trend where you literally roll yourself up like a stuffed baked potato. Yes, it sounds a bit crazy, but it works.

What exactly is a Potato Bed?

The potato bed is a soft cocoon of blankets and pillows. A place where you're enveloped in comfort, as if you're cradled in a giant stuffed animal. The potato bed is essentially a grown-up version of the hut /nest you built as a child with all the couch cushions.

The setup is simple: you take a fitted sheet, place it upside down on your bed (with the elastic edge facing up), and fill the edges with pillows and blankets. Place a soft blanket in the middle. Snuggle in, and voilà, you're the baked potato with butter in a jacket. A TikTok video of this trend has already racked up over 151 million views.

Why does it work so well?

"If you like that swaddled feeling, you'll fall asleep faster in a potato bed," says sleep expert Hannah Shore. The pressure of all the pillows and blankets around you has the same effect as a weighted blanket (also recommended, by the way!). It triggers the production of feel-good hormones like serotonin and oxytocin, making you feel relaxed and safe.

It makes sense when you think about it. In a world that constantly pulls at you—work, family, social media, the endless to-do list—it's nice to have some literal boundaries. Not by stress, but by gentleness.

Perfect for the holiday chaos

And YES, the period from Sinterklaas to New Year's Eve is intense. Fun, but intense. Between packing surprises, planning Christmas dinners, and navigating family dynamics, it's no wonder that sometimes you just want to lie down. Not sleep, per se, but just... do nothing.

The potato bed is perfect for this. Make one on a quiet Sunday afternoon, curl up with a cup of tea and your phone (or without), and give yourself permission to just do nothing. No to-do list, no obligations. Just you, your blankets, and maybe a good TV show.

How to make your own Potato Bed

Ready to try it yourself? Here's what you'll need:

• A fitted sheet
• At least 4 cushions (finally a function for all those decorative cushions)
• 2 to 3 blankets or plaids
• Optional: cuddly toys, room spray, a book, tablet or your laptop

Step 1: Place the fitted sheet upside down on your bed, with the elastic edge facing up.

Step 2: Stuff the edges with pillows to create a sort of wall.

Step 3: Place a soft blanket on the bottom of your 'nest'.

Step 4: Roll up some more blankets and place them along the sides for extra stability.

Step 5: Crawl in, cover yourself with another blanket and... melt away 🥔

A few tips from sleep experts

While the potato bed is wonderful for an afternoon nap or a moment of relaxation, experts recommend against using it every night. All those extra layers can reduce air circulation, making it harder for your body to cool down, which is essential for deep sleep. So, consider it a pleasant ritual, not a permanent sleep setup.

Also read: 👉 A Happy Place hut for the kids = me-time for you

Your moment of rest

In a time when we're constantly "on," it's okay to switch off for a bit. The potato bed isn't just a TikTok fad; it's a reminder that seeking comfort isn't a luxury, but sometimes a pure necessity. So the next time the holiday stress gets the better of you? Build your potato bed, crawl in, and just be a potato for a bit. You deserve it!