By: Barb Pattison
There are ten tips altogether when it comes to shopping for bedding. I am giving you five tips on to day’s blog.
1. Color - What colors do you like and will they compliment your bedroom?
Colors are broadly divided into cool and warm. Cool colors tend to be blues, purples, pinks and any color with a “bluish base”. Warm colors tend to be browns, greens, yellows and any color with a “brownish” or “yellowish” base. Shades of any color can fall into either category. This is where it gets confusing. When you look at the color does it make you feel cool or warm? Generally earthy colors (those found naturally in nature) tend to be warm colors with the exception of sky blue.
If you are planning to paint your bedroom, choose the color AFTER you have your bedding picked out (and preferably purchased). Take a small piece of the bedding (like a pillow sham) into the paint store and get help from a sales clerk to choose colors that work with it.
2. Pattern - Solids verses prints.
This is a matter of personal choice and lifestyle. Solid bedding looks elegant and sophisticated but often isn’t very practical, especially if you have pets or kids who sometimes share your bed. A print can “hide” a multitude of bits and pieces and hairs on your bedding (until laundry day). Prints can also liven up a boring space. Prints can be large or small as well. The larger they are, the bolder they look in the space. Essentially the bedding is clothing for your bed. A bed is a large piece of furniture so a large print will really pop on a bed. A smaller print will be a more subtle choice. Which do you prefer and what do you want your bedding to say?
3. Fabric - Cotton, silk, satin, polyester, bamboo
Many people love cotton, especially Egyptian Cotton. Cotton breathes and absorbs moisture from your body. It is comfortable next to your skin. Silk is another natural material. It feels luxurious and comfortable but can be difficult to clean so it’s not always practical. Polyester is a man-made material which doesn’t breathe well but is super easy to clean and can take on the look of cotton, satin, or anything in between. Satin is not really a fabric type. It is a “weave” that looks shiny and luxurious. Satin can be woven into many different types of fabrics. It is generally thought of to be shiny and slippery. It can be difficult to clean. It is not always practical. Bamboo sheets is a newer fabric. It is a great choice as it is softer than cotton, naturally anti-bacterial, naturally anti-insecticidal, and very eco-friendly. It is easy to clean, more absorbent than cotton and wears very well.
4. Thread Count - What does this mean? What is the best choice?
Thread Count is the number of fibers per inch woven into the material. Higher thread counts in cotton are softer and more luxurious. Thread Counts can range from 100 - 1000 or so. Higher thread counts are more expensive. They are also much warmer due to their tight weave. The biggest disadvantage to high thread counts is that they wear out more quickly. Generally, for bedding, a thread count of 200 - 400 is the most practical.
5. Size - Measure and be sure
Be sure you know the measurements of your bed. Knowing it is a Queen Size isn’t enough anymore. There are now Extra-Long Queen and Olympic Queen sizes. Besides, if you are getting a fitted sheet you will need to know the depth of your mattress. Fitted sheets can fit 13″ - 24″ deep mattresses. That’s a wide range. You don’t want a “deep” fit on your 13″ deep mattress and you don’t want a 13″ deep fitted sheet on your 24″ deep mattress either.