When it comes to bedding, I like to keep it simple. An all-season comforter and cotton percale sheets are pretty much what I use all year round, with the comforter coming on or off depending on how hot my apartment gets. Though I grew up with a blanket added as an extra layer on my bed, I never felt the need to include one as an adult. That’s why I’ve rarely used the now slightly tattered, synthetic blanket that I took with me from home when I moved to New York City some 20-plus years ago.

Still, I was intrigued when I was offered the chance to test Boll & Branch’s Lightweight Bed Blanket. It promised to be airy and breathable and seemed like a good option for summer sleeping as well as transitional weather when the nights cool down and the heat in my co-op building has not yet been turned on. Interestingly, the blanket arrived just as NYC was experiencing a brief heatwave in September that was followed immediately by a spell of chilly days and nights. It turned out that this game-changing bed blanket was exactly what I needed to weather those fluctuating temperatures.

Created by the makers of some of our favorite bed and bath essentials, Boll & Branch’s Lightweight Bed Blanket is designed to be a layering essential. It’s made from 100 percent organic long-staple cotton, which in the cotton world, means a softer, smoother, more durable product. The blanket, which comes in three colors (White, Pewter, and Shore) and three sizes (Twin, Full/Queen, King/California King), has a natural sheen, with a breathable basketweave design that makes it versatile enough for year-round use. One thing to note is that this blanket runs a little big, meaning that it drapes nicely over the bed, with plenty of room for tucking it in or letting it hang naturally.

Care for the blanket is easy: Boll & Branch recommends washing it by itself in cold water on a gentle cycle (you don’t want zippers or buttons to snag the threads), then tumble dry on low heat. And avoid using fabric softener — the blanket’s fibers actually get softer after each wash.

This buttery-soft blanket proved to be a champion in helping me sleep comfortably as the temperatures soared up to the 80s for several days before plummeting down to the low 60s (and even colder at night). On the warmer evenings, I slept in sheets with just the blanket as my cover. Because it’s so lightweight and breathable, I never broke a sweat as I slept. On the cooler nights, I added a comforter to the mix, and I swear I’ve never felt cozier. I didn’t overheat, and I actually found that I was sleeping better and stopped waking up several times in the middle of the night — which is unheard of for me.

I’ve been using Boll & Branch’s Lightweight Blanket for almost two months now, and, true to the brand’s word, it has indeed gotten softer with each wash, without any pilling, catches, or pulls. It’s definitely earned a permanent spot on my bed, and I expect that in the summertime, I will just sleep under the blanket, which almost feels cool to the touch. Looking back, I’m kind of surprised that I stopped using a bed blanket for so many years. Now, after trying Boll & Branch’s Lightweight Blanket, I don’t plan on sleeping without one.