The Importance of Quality Bedding
We spend one-third of our lives sleeping so it makes sense that the place we lay our heads is comfortable and conducive to a peaceful night of slumber. There are a few things that contribute to a quality night of rest, and right up there at the top of the list is our choice of bedding. More than just adding to the bedroom ambience, bed sheets, comforters and pillow cases are all items that can help us relax, get comfortable and drift off to sleep.
Choosing the right bedding gets you one step closer to a good night’s sleep. Factors like fabric choice, thread count and weave pattern all factor into your comfort. The more comfortable you are at bedtime, the more likely you are to fall asleep quickly and wake up vibrant and ready to take on the day.
Bed Sheet Materials
The choice of bedding material is an important factor to consider when shopping for bed sheets. No one wants to crawl into a bed with rough sheets. Bed sheets are available in natural and synthetic fabric. Some of the more popular bed sheet materials include:
Cotton is the most popular bed sheet material. Because there are several cotton varieties, making a choice isn’t that simple. Cotton is breathable and wicks moisture away from your body which is great news for hot sleepers, however it does wrinkle easily. When you think of luxurious bed sheets, Egyptian cotton usually comes to mind. Egyptian cotton is a strong but soft fabric. It’s hand-picked, delivering sheets with extra-long fibers that are durable, flexible, soft and breathable. Organic cotton sheets from cotton that doesn’t contain any pesticides, harsh chemicals or dyes, making them a good choice for people who suffer from allergies. The absence of chemicals which weakens the fiber makes organic cotton sheets stronger and more durable than conventional bedding.
Cotton Blend sheets are a mix of cotton and another fabric, most notably a cotton polyester blend.
Microfiber sheets are a synthetic blend – typically a polyester-nylon mix. The blend is made up of small, fine fibers that make the fabric soft, absorbent and more resistant to pilling than many other fabrics. Microfiber sheets wick away moisture from the body and help to retain body heat. They’re likely not the best choice for someone with sensitive skin because the fabric is less breathable than cotton. Quality microfiber sheets are brushed on both sides (double brushed). This process makes them soft to the touch.
Polyester sheets are made with synthetic materials. While they’re durable, wrinkle-resistant and less prone to shrinking or fading, they don’t breathe the way natural fibers do and they trap heat, making them an unwise choice for hot sleepers.
Other materials include linen, silk, satin, rayon/bamboo and modal. Each material is different so for care, always follow instructions on the label.
Bed Sheet Weaves
The weave defines the characteristics of the fabric. Cotton sheets are available in a few types of weaves.
Sateen weave produces a wrinkle-resistant sheet using a three-over-one-under pattern resulting in a shiny, smooth and silky surface. It’s a dense fabric with a slight luster. Sateen and percale are the most popular weave for bed sheets.
Percale weave uses a one-over-one-under (also known as plain weave) crisscross pattern. It’s a crisp, breathable fabric that has a smooth feel with a matte or semi-matte appearance. The weave is closely woven and is especially good in hot weather.
Percale weave uses a one-over-one-under crisscross pattern. It’s a crisp, breathable fabric that has a smooth feel with a matte or semi-matte appearance. The weave is closely woven, lightweight and airy, making it an especially good in hot weather and for hot sleepers.
Knit weave, also know as Jersey Knit, is a stretchy fabric that’s smooth on one side and soft and fluffy on the other side. It’s made from the same fabric as tee-shirts and is prized for its warmth and flexibility.
The brushed cotton of a flannel weave produces a plush fabric that’s excellent for warmth. They’re breathable sheets that traps and retains heat in insulating pockets, helping you sleep better without experiencing cold spots on the bed.
Twill weave consists of the weft thread (horizontal) passing over a warp thread (vertical) and then passed under two or more warp threads. The result is a distinctive diagonal pattern that is sturdy, doesn’t wrinkle easily and is great for masking stains.
Thread Count
Bedding thread count – the number of warps and wefts woven into one square inch – is something that many people rely on when choosing bed sheets and consider it a measure of quality. It used to be that the higher the thread count, the softer and better the quality of the sheet. However, a higher thread count doesn’t always mean it’s better. Good quality fibers and a lower thread count will still be durable and feel soft versus low quality fibers and a high thread count. A good rule of thumb when shopping around for bed sheets is to consider both the thread count and the fabric.
A quality set of sheets that are comfortable are available with thread counts from 200 up to 800. Some manufacturers produce bed sheets with thread counts higher than 800, but there may not be much value in going too far above 800. Manufacturers may be combining two or more cheaper fibers to make a single multi-ply thread which. In doing this, the thread count is higher because they count each individual thread that makes up the multi-ply thread, but the quality is lower than that of a single-ply.
Here are some typical thread count ranges for various materials:
Cotton: 200-400
Linen: 80-140
Bamboo: 250-350
Percale: 250-300
Sateen: 300-600
When shopping for microfiber or flannel sheets, look at the GSM (grams per square meter). The higher the GSM, the more durable the sheets. You can find quality microfiber sheets at 100 GSM and higher, and flannel sheets at 170 and higher GSM.
Comforters, Bedspreads, Blankets and Throws
The finishing touches to any bedroom are the bed covers: comforters, bedspreads, blankets and throws. What’s the difference?
A comforter is a thick, two or more layered, insulated bed covering filled with down feathers, silk, wool or polyester batting. Some comforters are quilted. A comforter usually sits on top of the sheets, as the final layer on the bed, unless using a blanket or bedspread as an accent. Unlike a duvet, a comforter is a single piece.
A bedspread is a lightweight, single-layered bed covering. It’s typically long enough to cover the bed and drape on or near the floor. Bedspreads are available in a variety of weights and can be layered for extra warmth.
A blanket is smaller than a bedspread and is used for warmth. It’s designed to match the size of the bed.
A throw is smaller than a blanket and is generally used for decoration. Throws are made from a variety of materials and come in many different colors. Many people use a throw to keep their feet and legs warm while watching TV, reading, etc. Think of a throw as a one-person-sized blanket.
Quilts and duvets are also bedding options, with quilts having the distinction of being multipurpose – they’re also used as wall decorations and are often framed heirloom pieces.
Bed and Bedding Sizes
When buying bedding, you want to make sure you get the right size for the bed. Beds are available in six sizes:
Twin – 38 inches by 79 inches
Twin XL – 38 inches by 80 inches
Full – 54 inches by 75 inches
Queen – 60 inches by 80 inches
King – 76 inches by 80 inches
California King – 72 inches by 84 inches
The average mattress depth is between 9 and 12 inches. There are, however, deep mattresses with a depth up to 20 inches, and extra deep mattress have a depth of 20 inches or more. When buying sheets for a deep mattress, check that the packaging says “deep pocket” so that it’s a good fit.
Bedding Colors
No matter which type of bedding you select, you’ll likely have a wide range of color options to choose from. The most popular color for bed sheets is gray which gives off a cool, neutral feel. Other neutral hues like white, tan and blue are also popular classic choices. White sheets are easy to care for since a little bleach can fade away any stains.
When you want to add warmth and a cozy feel to your bedroom, darker shades like black or brown bring the drama. Neutral tones blend in with many styles and are an attractive complement to other colors and themes. Mix up patterned sheets with a solid comforter or blanket. If your room already has bursts of vivid colors like purple, yellow or red, neutral tones balance it out without overpowering the room.
Bedding and Mattress Accessories
A mattress topper adds a level of padding and an extra layer of comfort to your bed. As the name suggests, it’s placed on top of the mattress and helps extend the life of the mattress by reducing wear and tear.
A mattress protector is a thin, waterproof covering that keeps the mattress clean of skin oil, perspiration, dead skin cells, etc. It also keeps dust and allergens out and protects against spills and other hazards. An encasement completely envelopes the mattress. This type of protector also keeps bed bugs out.
A pillow protector is like a mattress protector except it’s scaled down and designed specifically to protect a pillow.
Some bed sheets come with matching pillow cases. Others are sold separately. Buying pillow cases individually allows you to customize the look of your bedding with contrasting or complementary cases.
Bedding sets make it easy to decorate your bed and complement your bedroom décor. Some bedroom sets include as little as the sheets and pillow cases while others will have everything from shams to comforter to sheets.
Don’t forget about the baby. Decorate your baby’s nursery with delightful crib sheets. Look for cozy, breathable sheets that keep your baby comfortable throughout the day and night.