Your bedroom should be a place of luxurious relaxation, but how do you go about creating a restful retreat? The first step is to select quality bedding. With so many options out there, how do you know that you are selecting quality bedding? Our buying guide will ease you through the process of selecting the best bedding to turn your bedroom into a haven from the rest of your hectic life.
Sheets
Sheets come in five basic sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, and California King. Most sheets are sold in sets that include one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and two pillow cases (one for twin sets). Not sure what you’ve got? Measure your mattress and compare it to the list below:
- Twin: 39 inches x 76 inches (80 inches for extra long twin)
- Full: 54 inches x 75 inches
- Queen: 60 inches x 80 inches
- King: 78 inches x 80 inches
- California King: 72 inches x 84 inches
Once you know the size you need, you can select from a variety of colors and fabrics. You can match your décor or just pick a neutral color.
Thread Count
The thread count is the number of threads in a square inch of a bed sheet. The higher the thread count the softer and more luxurious the feel of the sheets. 300-400 is most common and the most affordable without sacrificing quality.
Comforters
A comforter can be a décor statement as well as a way to keep warm on chilly nights. Comforters can be filled with a variety of materials from down to poly fill. Often comforters come in sets, reducing the worry of finding coordinating pillow shams. Comforters are thicker than a blanket, providing more warmth and the variety of styles and colors offer you many décor choices. For a down comforter, consider purchasing a duvet cover to keep your comforter clean.
Blankets and Quilts
Blanket and quilts are the oldest form of bedding and the one that people are the most familiar. A blanket or quilt can be placed under a decorative comforter for warmth and to keep the comforter clean or they can be used as the main décor piece. Colors and styles are endless. Quilts tend to be heavier than a blanket and pay close attention to the quality of the workmanship. Always look for blankets and quilts that are machine washable to make care a breeze.
Pillows
Pillows come in a variety of sizes ranging from Standard(20 X 25 inches) and King (20 X 35 inches). There are also Euro Pillows which are a large square and great for reading in bed, Body Pillows which are elongated pillows for keeping your body in a chosen position, and Decorative Pillows for that added touch of color.
What your pillow is filled with is a matter of preference and allergies. Most people prefer a standard poly fill, but this does tend to wear out over time. Down pillows will last for years, but are not quite as firm and may require fluffing during the night. A new trend on the market are memory foam and contour pillows. These pillows mold themselves to the shape of your head and depending on the quality can last for months or even years.
Bedding Accessories
There are a number of items that can be purchased to make your bed even more inviting sure as feather beds, mattress pads, and special pillows just for reading and watching television in bed. Shop around and decide what accessories you need based on how you sleep and what you use your bed for, is it also an office? Family gathering place? Or just a quite place to escape from the day? Little things like the soft glow of candles or fragrant potpourri by your bed can make all the difference in the world. Pleasant dreams!
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