Bedding

There are many different types of bedding. Sheets, blankets, comforters and quilts are used the world over. You can either buy these items individually are as a set. Prices vary a lot depending on what material the bedding is made from, what brand name it is and where you purchase it.

Sheets:

Sheets are made from silk, satin, polyester or Egyptian cotton. They can be solid in color or printed. Sheets come in different sizes – twin, queen, king or California King. Sheets can either be purchased individually or as a set, either with or without pillowcases.

Sheets made from Egyptian cotton are a good choice if you live someplace hot. They are easy to wash and help the body to stay cool. You will notice that sheets made from this material have the ‘thread count’ noted. The thread count will determine how soft the sheets are. If you want luxury sheets that are smooth and soft, then you should purchase Egyptian cotton sheets with a high thread count. The higher the thread count, the more expensive the sheets are likely to be. Solid color Egyptian cotton sheets are often cheaper than ones with prints or designs.

Polyester sheets are also easy to wash. They are good for either winter or summer and are often made using cotton as well. These sheets are usually quite affordable and can easily be found either at a regular store or online retailer.

Satin sheets are smooth and luxurious. They are often a bit hot and sweaty if you live in a place that gets very hot during the summer, but they are ideal for winter months. Satin sheets are silky and often have a lustrous sheen that gives them an extra shine. Satin sheets are actually made out of woven polyester, and are machine washable just as regular polyester sheets are.

Silk sheets are a true luxury. They can be found in several stores such as Bed, Bath and Beyond, Sears and Wal-Mart. However, silk sheets are easier to find online and you can often get better prices and a wider selection if you purchase the sheets online instead of from a regular store. The downside to purchasing genuine silk sheets is that they require special care in washing and are not comfortable for use during hot summer months. They are also quite pricey – silk sheets often cost well over a hundred dollars.

Comforters and Comforter Sets:

A nice looking comforter set is a necessity for most any bedroom. There are comforters that are suitable for warmer summer months and colder winter months. These usually come as a set; you can purchase any size of set from a three piece set up to a nine piece one.

When choosing a comforter set, it is important to consider what ‘look’ you want the bedroom to have. Some comforter sets are quite elegant in style and are perfectly suited for a bedroom with antique furniture, or an elegant or formal style room. There are also modern and contemporary style comforter sets that are just right for a contemporary and casual bedroom.

If the bedroom does not get a lot of natural light, then it is often better to choose a lighter colored comforter set. While a solid white comforter would look quite plain in most cases, there are a number of light colored comforter sets with beautiful designs that would be suitable. A darker colored comforter set is good for a bedroom that gets a lot of natural lighting.

Choose a color that matches well with the existing furnishings in the room, the curtains in particular. If the curtains are printed, then it may be harder to find a matching comforter, but it should not be impossible, with all the variety on the market.

When choosing a comforter, be sure to note whether it can be machine washed or needs dry cleaning. Comforters that need dry cleaning are often more expensive and harder to care for.

For the summer, choosing a comforter made from cotton is a good idea. If you live in a place that gets very cold in the winter, you may want to opt for a comforter with down filling. Down filled comforters are ideal for the cold winter months and can be purchased quite inexpensively at Target, Kmart, Overstock.com and Amazon.com.

Quilts and Blankets:

Quilts and blankets come in all different sizes, styles and designs. If you have satin or silk sheets, then using a blanket on top of the sheets will help the comforter or bedspread to stay on the bed, instead of slipping off. If you live in a cold place, then having a blanket or quilt, in addition to a down filled comforter, is a must. Wool and fleece blankets are a good option for cold weather, as are electric headed blankets.

Electric blankets are made by different brand names and the prices vary a lot. They generally cost anywhere between $30 – $100 and come in all sizes. Different electric blankets have different features, but most come with a digital display controller, push button controls and the ability to preheat a bed if you turn it on before you go to sleep. Choosing one that automatically turns itself off after a preset period of time can help to keep the electric bill down and lessen the danger of the blanket catching on fire. Choose one that is machine washable.

Quilts are good if you want the bedroom to have a homey or country feel to it. There are a number of bedding collections that sell as a set and come with a quilt instead of a comforter. Quilts can also be bought individually and there are many that are reversible. Most quilts are made either from 100% cotton or cotton and polyester. They are usually machine washable and easy to care for. If you want a traditional style quilt, then choose a patchwork quilt; if you are looking for something that will stand out and be eye-catching, then try a Hawaiian quilt.