If you’re someone (like me) who really cares about building a homely and luxurious bed, then you’ve definitely got to know the essential parts of bedding. This guide gives you a brief overview of all the elements that go into making your dream bed; down to the tiniest, often overlooked details.
Bedding quite simply refers to the textile/fabric materials you would usually find on a bed. These include bed sheets, blankets, duvets, pillows, and other bed accessories that are generally used to cover and protect mattresses.
While this sounds simple, people tend to get confused when it comes to selecting the best bedding to accompany their mattress. Just as the best mattress is usually designed for user comfort, bedding is designed similarly for both practical and decorative purposes.
Bed Sheet
A bed sheet is a large piece of fabric that is made to fit over a mattress. They might range from cotton to silk to linen. The best bed sheets might be flat or fitted. A flat sheet lays directly on top of the mattress, tucked in at the bed edges, while a fitted sheet comes complete with elastic bands at the corners that fit the bed snuggly.
Blanket
A blanket is a long piece of soft woven fabric usually wool or polyester often used as a bed covering.
Comforter
A comforter is a padded, fluffy blanket, having an insulated middle layer with an outer cotton padding, usually laid on the other bedding to provide the extra warmth you need in winter. The best comforters are usually filled with natural fibers like fur, wool, or silk, and sometimes feathers.
Duvet
This is usually a quilted fabric bag filled with a natural or synthetic filling — wool, silk, cotton, or down materials. A duvet is generally a thicker, heavier, and warmer version of a comforter. A duvet cover is used to protect the duvet or for decorative purposes.
A duvet cover is a fabric case that fits around your duvet and closes with buttons or zippers. The best duvet covers are usually decorative, breathable, and can be interchanged to match the other bedding decor or colors.
So, while a duvet is a blanket inside, a duvet cover is the decorative shell around it.
Pillows
Pillows are little fluffy fabric bags that add the final touch to any bed. The best bedding arrangement would typically be a combination of bed pillows and throw pillows. Bed pillows are those you sleep on at night while throw pillows are pillows mainly for decorative purposes.
Factors to be Considered in Choosing the Right Bedding
Comfort
After all, isn’t this the point of it all? Sleeping comfortably is always the goal.
Breathability
Depending on your body temperature or the prevailing weather outside, you would want to choose bedding that would work to provide optimal sleep where you have a pillow that stays cool coupled with a warm blanket.
Protection of the Mattress
And yes, don’t forget your mattress has to be protected too from dust, mites, and even sweat! The right bedding seamlessly provides this.
Hygiene
You might also want to consider if the bedding is machine washable when the choosing materials.
Aesthetics
Lastly, choosing bedding that is practical yet decorative and gives you a sense of comfort and warmth to the bedroom.
Have you ever stopped to wonder why you sometimes wake up cranky and moody? Do you know how much a good night’s sleep impacts your day? Good sleep should never be underestimated. This is why having the best mattress and proper bedding goes a long way in ensuring you wake refreshed, pumped, and ready to roll every day.