Everything You Need for a Cozy Breakfast in Bed

I could use this space to paint a picture of a romantic Valentine’s Day breakfast in bed and describe the ways in which all of the stuff listed below will make your breakfast that much more loved-up. Instead, I offer a bitter take: Breakfast in bed, like Valentine’s Day (and, if you catch me on a bad day, love generally) is better in theory than in practice. I’ve spent most of the breakfasts in bed in my life anxiety-ridden about spillage and trying to find the right angle at which to sit for both comfort and optimal food consumption. (I know the Romans ate in a reclined position, but how?)

Be that as it may, I’m unwilling to give up on the beautiful fantasy of a leisurely breakfast in bed, just like I’m unwilling to give up on the idea of romance—despite a set of sheets covered in coffee stains and a history of romantic rejection. So I’ve taken it upon myself to round up a list of breakfast-in-bed tools with the specific goal of practicality and spill prevention: sheets that are particularly easy to clean, sturdy trays and mugs that won’t tip over easily.

But I’m not completely removing romance from the equation. Breakfast in bed is crucially about the vibe, so I’ve focused on style and coziness as well. Here’s everything you need to have a breakfast in bed that’s stable, comfortable, and anxiety-free—even if you can’t find a relationship that meets those requirements.

Almost Spill-Proof Sheets

Winter is the ideal season for breakfast in bed, because who wants to leave the safety of the covers during a time of minimal daylight and cold temperatures? To celebrate hibernation season, treat yourself to a fresh set of sheets. I recommend going for an easy to clean cotton fabric in a rich chocolate brown color, which feels kind of trendy but, more importantly, is the same color as coffee. On the other hand, if you are the enviable type of person who was blessed with (1) careful motor skills and (2) doesn’t sleep hot, spring for the ultimate in luxury winter sheets: a cotton-cashmere blend.

A Tray As Stable As a Long-Term Relationship

The best trays for having breakfast in bed must have one or more of these crucial elements: a rim for containing spilled liquids, a sturdy base or feet that fit nicely around your legs, and/or a versatile modular design that makes them easy to store and use for work-from-home days.

Table Linens, but for Bed

To march stubbornly on with my relationship metaphor, ambiguity is bad in dating, but it’s great in towels. And importantly, we’re living in a golden age of towel/blanket ambiguity in 2024. What I mean by this is that relaxed waffle-weave towels sold by DTC companies like Parachute (and duped absolutely spectacularly by Target, sorry) really resemble chic throw blankets you’d buy at CB2. Then there’s the classic Turkish towel, which also toes this blanket/towel line. All of this is great news for my spill hive. Throw a nice-looking towel over your lap and you’ll be warm and cozy while protecting your comforter from orange juice. Throw in a few delightful breakfast-themed cloth napkins or embroidered ones that evoke a Victorian lady reclining in a portrait.

Spill-proof Mugs

Obviously, the most practical choice here is an insulated to-go mug not just to prevent spills. But breakfast in bed is fundamentally about leisure, so you should be able to sip your coffee or tea slowly without worrying about it going cold. Yeti makes some adorable insulated espresso cups, though if you really prefer the look and feel of a ceramic mug when you’re home, consider buying one that comes with a lid. Barring that, buy a set of bamboo lids that fit over your existing mugs and prevent heat from escaping out of the top. If you’re a tea lover, you can even get a version with a built-in steeping mechanism.

A Cute, Cozy Outfit

What’s more versatile than a robe? It’s the preferred garment of ancient civilizations, bowlers mistaken for millionaires, powerful religious leaders, teen wizards, 19th century French writers, British monarchs, and you—a person having a warm, inviting breakfast in bed. BA’s Commerce Editor Carina Finn is a huge fan of this Printfresh quilted velvet robe, which is chic enough to wear all day when you don’t exactly want to get dressed, but still want to feel fancy.