We're not fans of top sheets in our family either. I suspect that your idea would make you feel better but would not be something he enjoyed or used on his own.
Posters above me have given good ideas, and we do variations of some of them. Most of us use an inexpensive commercial comforter with an easily washed, solid duvet (cover). Then we use our quilts for cuddling on an extra cold night or for decorative effect draped at the foot of the bed or set on point over the comforter. We use lots of quilts, but not as the primary bed cover-- we each have one to curl up with while watching TV and we keep them semi-displayed in a basket in the lounge. My college age kids have favorite quilts they took to college-- quick easily constructed, heavily quilted with the expectation that they will get washed fairly often in less than optimal conditions. They're holding up just fine and are being well loved, but won't live on to future generations as heirlooms or anything.
Consider making a utility quilt for the bed. Then making something that coordinates in colors or fabric to use as a wallhanging or throw blanket-- it can have more artistry and labor intensive elements and be used without the expectation of being heavily soiled and washed all the time.