Doze Off Into Dreamland: A Buyer’s Guide to Bedding

Your bed truly feels like a safe haven, doesn’t it? There’s virtually zero chance of anything uncomfortable or unpleasant happening when you’re all cuddled up in bed. No nosy co-workers, no annoying traffic jams and most importantly, no need to get out of your pyjamas in the morning. It really is a one-of-a-kind experience, don’t you think?

When you put all of that together, you reach one very interesting fact – we spend about a third of our lifespan in bed. Maybe more, if sleeping is your favourite hobby. Well, that explains why we tend to pay so much attention to the type of bedding we include in our bedrooms. You definitely wouldn’t want to lay down on something uncomfortable or irritating, would you? We didn’t think so. 

But the sheer number of bedding options out there is a double-edged sword. Sure, you could say you’ll be able to find something to suit everyone’s taste but what if you just can’t decide which one you like best? Do you just buy all of them? Sadly, not all of us have such spending power so you’ll definitely have to make a decision. Luckily for you, we’ll be giving you a few pointers on how to do exactly that.

What’s Included in Bedding?

Now, this might seem like the most basic question in the world but there are actually layers to the whole thing, pun intended. Some might think it’s pretty straightforward but that’s not always the case. Here’s a quick rundown of all the essentials.

Duvets and Cover Sets

It’s no secret that duvets are the most comfortable thing to cover your body with on cold winter nights. Their snuggly and extra soft design makes them the perfect ticket to a dreamy getaway to catch some z’s.

But see, here’s the thing, most duvets are pretty much the same – their cushioned interior is what binds them all together. The only way you can set them apart is by using stylish and versatile bed duvet covers to dress them up in. And oh boy, this opens up a whole new world of possibilities. 

So, how do you choose the right cover for your duvet? Many people opt for cotton bed duvet covers because it’s a generally inexpensive and convenient way to change your bedding. And the best part? You can switch up the style and design patterns quite often. You’ll just need to figure out what your needs and preferences are – do you want your bed to pop with colour and an eye-catching design? Or maybe you want to keep things minimal with a monochromatic cover?

Then again there’s no need to go to extremes anyway. If you feel torn between the two, you can easily choose something in the middle in terms of design. In this way, you’ll be getting the best of both worlds. And this is exactly what we love about duvet covers because there’s no limit to how you can mix and match them to suit your needs.

Of course, besides adding variety to your bedding, duvet covers are absolutely necessary due to hygiene reasons. Think about it this way, how often do you wash your actual duvet? Sure, you might be trying your best but don’t you think it’ll be a whole lot easier to wash a thinner piece of cloth rather than the whole duvet? It most certainly would be.

Bed Sheets

This is what you place on top of your mattress for extra convenience and comfort. Most people decide to match their bed sheets with their duvet cover to create a blended appearance but you don’t have to stick to traditions if that doesn’t toot your horn. 

So if you decide to get vibrant and playful duvet sets, what’s stopping you from getting the classic white bed sheets that will serve as the perfect contrast? There are no rules when it comes to organising your own bedroom because you’ll be the one sleeping in it after all. Plus, white bed sheets are extremely appealing with their elegance and sophistication so you definitely won’t be going wrong here. And we all want to feel luxurious every now and then, don’t we?

Besides colour, a very important thing you’ll have to decide on when shopping for bed sheets is the type – either flat or fitted ones. While the former is supposed to be tucked into the sides of the bed to secure it in place, the latter uses elastic bands to keep everything where it’s supposed to be. 

These days, fitted sheets are considered to be the more convenient option because you’ll be getting a smooth sleeping surface no matter how much you toss and turn during the night. In other words, you won’t have to pull at your sheets to get them where they should be every morning. Who has the energy for that anyway? It’ll save you lots of time and effort, especially if you’re in a hurry.

Pillows

Last but not least, the cherry on top is your pillow. This is perhaps the most important of the bunch too because it’s supposed to give you all the necessary head and neck support as you ease in from one sleeping position into another during the night. Now there’s some good news and some bad news here. 

The bad news is that each sleeping position requires different pillow types to maximise ergonomic levels. But switching the pillow every time you turn around sounds like a real nuisance. Luckily though, the good news is that most standard pillows on the market will do the job just fine because they’re able to adapt to your body shape and position in bed.

The deal-breaker for pillows nowadays is their firmness. For most people, medium firmness is the ideal option because it’s not so soft that your head gets mushed in or so firm that you end up with cramps the next morning. In other words, having something that’s in-between can save you a lot of headaches in the future.

In terms of materials, cotton is usually the preferred option due to its lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking properties. When you think about it, you produce a lot of sweat, saliva and facial oils during the night so you’ll definitely need standard pillows that feel airy and non-irritating to your skin. Bear in mind that you should always add a pillowcase on top so that you can change and wash it frequently. It’ll take way too long to wash the whole pillow every time it starts to smell funky.

How Should You Take Care of Your Bedding?

The answer to this question is pretty simple – all the items that are included in your bedding set are machine washable so all you have to do is chuck them in and let electronics do the rest. A general rule of thumb is to wash your sheets and covers at least once a week to get all those pesky germs and bacteria out of the way. If that’s cutting it too close for your taste, you can stretch it out to two weeks at most but that’s about as far as you should go in that department.