7,268 Bedding

What bedding do I need?

As well as serving a decorative purpose, bedding is necessary to protect our mattresses, duvets and pillows and thus prolong their life. The basic bedding requirements, met by most bedding sets, comprise duvet covers, pillow cases and flat or fitted bed sheets. Other additional bedding elements include divan trims (or bed skirts or valances), made to fit the base of a divan bed and skirt the floor; valance sheets, combining both a fitted sheet and divan trim; bedspreads, which offer an additional layer for comfort and decor; and bed runners, a decorative feature that adds a stylish finish to a made bed. There is a huge variety of bed linen in terms of style and material, leaving ample opportunity for versatile bedding collections that can vary by style or season. For example, light fabrics such as sateen or percale sheets will make a cool and comfortable bed in the summer, while texture-rich blankets paired with flannelette sheets are warm additions for winter. Cot bedding and children’s bedding may need softer and more durable bedding than you might choose for yourself, and their beds might require additional items such as quilts and comforters.

Does thread count matter?

Thread count refers to the number of threads woven together in one square inch or square centimetre of fabric. Finer threads produce smoother and softer fabric, so a higher thread count is considered better quality. Luxury bed linen can have a thread count of 350 to 500 or even 1000. Egyptian cotton sheets are widely considered the best for their superior strength, softness and comfort; Pima cotton, too, has fine fibres that make a higher thread count for luxuriously soft linens. The indulgence of silk bedding is incomparable; silk offers thermoregulation properties which makes it suitable the year round and is also said to boast beautifying benefits. Sateen is a 100% cotton material woven to have a soft, satin-like feel. A low-maintenance, more economical alternative to cotton bedding with a high thread count is polycotton or percale, which is much easier to care for and dries more quickly than other fabrics.

What size should my bed linen be?

Sheets and duvet covers are sized according to beds, although selecting the right sheet size is not only a matter of distinguishing between king size bedding and super king size bedding. Sheets also vary by mattress depth; standard fitted sheets are made for mattresses up to a depth of 26cm, so mattresses up to 32 cm deep require deep fitted sheets.

The size of sheets and duvets are standardised as follows by most retailers:

Single sheets: 90 x 190cm
Single duvet covers: 135cm x 200cm

Double sheets: 135 x 190cm
Double duvet covers: 200cm x 200cm

King size sheets: 150 x 200cm
King size duvet covers: 225cm x 220cm

Super king size sheets: 180 x 200cm
Super king size duvet covers: 260cm x 220cm

How do I use my bedding to decorate my bedroom?

Bedroom ideas for bed linen are countless - while bed-in-a-bag solutions are convenient, why not be creative and mix up your duvet cover sets? Layered textures and shades can make the perfect shabby chic bedding, or try using them to give an all-white contemporary bedroom a twist for a bright and comfortable feel. Grey bedding is a refreshing alternative to traditional neutral hues, and can look striking contrasted with patterned blankets in bolder colours, or paired with purple bedding for a glamorous and modern colour combination. A bedroom can be given a five-star finish with crisp linens reminiscent of hotel bedding, and for a bohemian or countryside appeal floral bedding can be used to bring the ambience of a garden into your bedroom. Pillows can be both sumptuous and decorative – try “pillowscaping" to add depth and texture to your bed, with rows of pillows and cushions in a medley of shapes and cushion covers that can be layered on top of your sleeping pillows.