Thursday, April 25, 2013

Buying Your Bedding


Everyone wants to be comfortable when they sleep, but comfort and fashion are not mutually exclusive and your bedding should also look good. Here's some helpful tips to keep in mind with starting your search!

Comfort First
When starting to look at bedding, it can be overwhelming.  Take a breath and figure out what you’re looking for and don’t let your opinion be swayed by a pretty picture.  If you sleep hot and live in a warm climate, that velvet duvet cover probably isn’t for you.  Consider the weight, as well as feel, of the bedding.  When shopping online, see if the company has a local store or showroom that has samples.  Local showrooms are knowledgeable about the lines they carry and can typically answer any questions that may arise.  Also, stay in your financial comfort zone.  Don’t spend a fortune on a silk coverlet, when you can get a cotton blend coverlet or quilt that will complete your look.  Shop sales and discount stores, often times last season’s bedding is reduced to almost 50% of the original retail costs, and bedding and home goods do not go in and out of style with the change in seasons. 

*Helpful hint–check the return policy of locally owned businesses, because bedding may not be returnable.  Instead ask if they will let you take the bedding out on approval for a limited time. 

Pile on the layers
The easiest way to make your bed look fabulous is to layer your bedding.  Use different size decorative pillows.  For a king, we recommend 3 euro pillows (26” x 26”) or “super euro” pillows (30” x 30”), 2 king sized pillows, and a decorative accent in front.  For queen and full beds, we recommend 2 euro pillows, 2 standard pillows, along with smaller throw pillows.  Even twin beds should have multiple pillows; add a euro pillow behind a standard pillow to dress up kids’ beds.    There is also an added benefit to layering, it gives you the added advantage of being about to change your bedding with the seasons.  Folding a duvet on top of a coverlet or blanket doubles as a functional and pretty addition – use it instead of an extra blanket during the winter, and it provides richness and fullness to the base of your bed. 

Consider your lifestyle
Think about your habits.  Love making your bed?  Go ahead and get those 5 extra throw pillows.  Only make it when company comes?  Add a larger accent pillow instead; select a showier pillow with a fun color or pattern to complete the look of your bed.  Also consider where you’ll place these pillows every night.  Will they go in a chair, on the floor, or on a bench?  Make sure that these pillows won’t be in your way when not on your bed.  

Use Texture & Pattern
To create a sophisticated look, use varying texture and pattern.  There is no rule to how elaborate or simple your bedding has to be.  At Design Studio 2010, I look to the client’s personal style when selecting bedding.  Love the look of an all white bed?  Use varying textures to achieve the look without it being boring.  When use a bold pattern and pull accent pillows from the individual colors within the pattern.  There is also no rule of using too much pattern, just make sure that all of the patterns work together and complement each other, rather than compete and fight for attention. 

*Helping hint:  Love that duvet cover but don’t want a coverlet instead?  Lay it on your bed unfilled.  This tip works best with duvet covers that are thicker and heavier. 

Between the Sheets
There are all sorts of information with sheets out there.  There are a few things to keep in mind.  The higher the thread count, the softer the sheets, but also the faster they will wear out.  You don’t have to get sheets made of Egyptian cotton to have soft sheets, news flash – there is nothing different about cotton woven in Egypt than anywhere else, they have just been doing it longer so it is seen as more luxurious.  There are other content options besides cotton:  bamboo sheets are extremely popular right now because they are durable and soft; however that they are generally more expensive than cotton sheets but they generally last longer.  Lastly, don’t limit yourself to white sheets – don’t be afraid of colored sheets or even a patterned sheet if it will complete your look. 


So go ahead, love your bedding and leave your bedroom door open!

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