Designers know that new bedding is the way to change the look of the boudoir without the need of a pricey total room redo. However, this trick-of-the-trade can create the illusion that a quick trip to the mall is all it takes to achieve makeover magic. In reality, the hunt may be just the beginning if your taste is more discerning than a cookie cutter "bed-in-a-bag." Going a la carte serves up a dizzying array of choices whether shopping in department and specialty stores or via catalog and online. So we've created this guide to simplify the search and make it easy to create a bed that reflects your individual style.
Foundation Pieces
Bed pillows can make or break a good night's sleep so it pays to invest in ones that are well constructed. Although there are choices galore, what it basically comes down to is fill, support and size. For light support, go with a soft fill like down, feathers or silk. Organic cotton and wool deliver firmer support. For added support, pick a gusseted pillow with side walls that help maintain shape. Natural latex foam pillows relieve pressure points because they're molded to contour to neck, shoulders and spine. Eco-friendly pillows are also in the spotlight. Whatever your pick, spend a few extra dollars on a pillow protector to use as a hygiene buffer.
A mattress pad protects, preserves and costs significantly less then replacing a mattress that hasn't been properly maintained. Basic pads are constructed with a flat quilted top layer that fits snugly over the mattress sides. New innovations include down fills that mimic featherbeds and visco-elastic memory fills that respond to body temperatures and shapes, providing added support. Both mattress and box springs should have mattress pads and before you shop, measure the depth of each piece so you come home with ones that fit.
Feather beds rest atop the mattress and are akin to sleeping on a bed-sized pillow. They make the sleeping surface extra cushy while relieving pressure points for a more restful sleep. Like bed pillows, fill choices range from natural down to synthetics. Featherbeds should be protected by either a removable cover that totally encases it or by a deeply fitted sheet that covers both the featherbed and the mattress. Featherbed fill is kept from shifting from one side to another by baffle quilt-like stitching so all it takes is a quick shake to restore fluffiness.
Sheets are the heart of the bed so buy the best quality you can afford. To learn more about selecting the best sheets for your needs, click here.
Layers of Warmth
Blankets provide basic warmth above the sheet and because they're available in a range of weights and materials, it makes sense to have a variety on-hand. During warmer weather, opt for lightweight fiber like cotton. When the weather turns cold, switch to heavier weight wool or luxe cashmere and alpaca. Velour, chenille and fleece acrylic blankets offer mid-weight warmth and are known for their interesting textures and soft feel. Blankets made of organic cotton, silk and other eco-friendly materials are on the upswing.
Coverlets and quilts form the decorative middle layer and often double as a top-of-bed covering instead of a comforter or duvet cover. Although both may have decorative top stitching, a quilt has a fill while a coverlet does not.
Duvets and comforters make up the top layer of warmth and are often kept folded at the foot of the bed to be accessed as needed. Both contain down, feathers, cotton or some type of synthetic fill. A duvet has a removable cover that looks like a bed-sized pillow case; a comforter does not--its cover and fill are sewn into one piece. Most comforters are lightweight and washable because they contain synthetic fill. Duvet covers are washable but the duvet itself should usually be dry-cleaned because down (the most common fill used) will get damaged in a washer.
Finishing Touches
Bed skirts, also known as dust ruffles, are more than pretty, they're practical. They screen from view anything stored beneath the bed and block dirt and dust. To purchase the correct length bed skirt, measure from top of the box spring to the floor.
Shams are pillow covers that coordinate with sheets and require pillow inserts. They're used for decorative purposes unlike bed pillows.
Accent pillows are perfect finishing touches to mix with bed pillows because they provide contrast and depth. Just how many pillows does a bed need? "The number of pillows is a personal thing," notes Heather Kearsley Wolf, designer and president of Kearsley, International, Ltd., a bed linens manufacturer, "but there are some rules of thumb according to bed size. . ."
On a twin bed, instead of a standard pillow, add one king pillow because it spans the width of the bed; and one to two accent pillows.
For a full size bed, Wolf recommends two standard pillows, two standard or Euro shams and one to two accent pillows.
Queen beds can easily hold two queen pillows and two queen shams, plus two to three accent pillows or a single bolster.
On king beds, a good combination is three standard pillows and two king shams, plus three smaller accent pillows or three standard pillows with three Euros.
Some people prefer only a few larger pillows to lean against when reading or watching TV. Others enjoy lots of pillows because they create a deep-layered look but if that's your choice, remember to designate a place to store them at night so that they don't clutter up the room."
How to Pull the Look Together
Don't worry; you don't need to buy all new pieces to create a fabulous bed. The perfect bed isn't the one with full coordination and every piece in place. It's a sophisticated blend of looks and one you can appreciate without a lot of upkeep.
Modern
Simple lines, color blocking and graphic punctuations remain key characteristics but modern now shows its softer side via warm hues and texture. Non-contemporary fabrics like menswear plaids give the look legs to travel into more transitional settings without losing its identity.
Cloud
Soft, fluffy and ultra comfy, this heavenly bed has evolved from ultra-feminine to a more refined romantic look with less fussy detailing and lots of lush fabrics.
Classic
This buttoned-down, tailored bed now wears an easy elegance via plush comforters, larger-scale pillows and textural blankets folded at the foot of the bed.
