When it comes to selecting the perfect bed sheets for your sleeping needs, there are a few key factors you should consider. Let's break down each element so you can make an informed decision that will guarantee a more comfortable and restful sleep.
First up is material—this is perhaps the most important choice when it comes to bed sheets. You can choose between natural or synthetic fabrics like cotton, bamboo, microfiber, and more. A cotton is a popular option for its breathable and hypoallergenic qualities, while bamboo is known for its silky feel and temperature-regulating properties. Microfiber is also a great choice if you're looking for something lightweight that won't wrinkle easily.
Next, it's important to consider thread count. This is the number of threads per square inch of fabric and a higher thread count usually means a softer feel. Generally, looking for bed sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400 should be comfortable enough while anything over 1000 will likely be too stiff or expensive.
Finally, you should think about style and color. Selecting the right sheets for your bedroom is a great way to add an extra layer of decor and personality to the room. Don't be afraid to experiment with different colors, patterns, prints, or textures to find something that suits your taste!
With these tips in mind, you should now have a better understanding of how to choose the perfect bed sheets for your sleeping needs. With just a little bit of research and consideration, you can find something that is comfortable as well as stylish. Good luck!
]]>Folding a fitted sheet may not seem like a high-priority skill, but it can do a lot to keep your sheets neat and feeling refreshed. If you’re investing in only the best bed sheets, you’ll want those fitted sheets to last as long as possible, and one step of proper care is putting sheets away neatly, in a place where it won’t be exposed to life’s typical disasters. (Balling the sheet up in the top of your closet is just asking for a tear or dust pile-up.)
Keep your fitted sheets—and the rest of the best bedding you’ve so carefully collected—in tip-top shape with our quick guide and video. We promise learning how to fold a fitted sheet is easier than you think. Above is our video for folding a fitted sheet, and below are the four steps that will get you from crinkled heap to crisply-folded fitted sheet—no special tools needed.
]]>Just thinking about linen sheets conjures an image of airy, breezy fabric—possible even the most comfortable sheets ever—blowing in the wind, hung out to dry on a clothesline at a picturesque country home. As dreamy as they sound, linen sheets are quite different if you’re used to sleeping on other fabrics, such as cotton.
The good news is, linen sheets are pretty hearty: Linen is about 30 percent more durable than cotton, and though they may feel crisp at first, they’ll soften over time. (Just one of many reasons it’s important to know how often you should wash your sheets.) Read on to learn all the ins and outs of luxurious linen sheets before you commit to buying a set, which may run you up to several hundred dollars—but pay off in the end if linen is right for you.
Linen is made from a natural fiber of the flax plant, which mainly comes from Europe. Belgian linen, in particular, is thought to be among the highest quality types of linen. “There is a reason linen sheets are passed down from generation to generation and treated like heirlooms: The quality is incredible,” says Christina Samatas, co-founder of Illinois-based interior design firm Park & Oak.
Linen is renowned for being cool to sleep in, says Cathy Marriott, director of bed linen manufacturer Dormitory. “When linen comes into contact with your skin, nodes in the length of the fibers absorb perspiration, then swell and release the moisture into the air, thus creating a fabric that’s self-cooling,” she says. While linen sheets are ideal for summer months and hot climates for this reason, they’re versatile for any season or climate thanks to their ability to naturally regulate temperature, Samatas says. She suggests pairing linen sheets with a faux fur blanket during cooler months.
Another great thing about linen sheets is that they are virtually lint free, and hypoallergenic. They also can help prevent bacterial growth, Marriott says.
“Think of linen sheets like a nice linen dress: [The fabric] will soften over time, but never be as soft as cotton,” Samatas says. Like any bedding, you should wash linen sheets weekly, in cold water with a mild detergent, and dry on low heat (or even better, on a line). (And be sure you know how to fold a fitted sheet so those sheets get the proper storage they deserve.) Avoid fabric softeners that contain silicone, which can coat the linen fibers and hinder their ability to absorb moisture, and remove linen sheets from the dryer promptly to minimize wrinkles.
For a pristine look, Marriott has a pro tip: Roll your freshly washed, slightly damp linen sheets and put them in a plastic bag in the freezer for two hours. Steam them with a very hot iron, and the linen will be silky smooth when you put them away in the linen closet or use them to make the bed.
Store linen sheets in a dry, well-ventilated area, and avoid putting them in plastic bags or boxes that can cause permanent yellowing. If you’re storing them long-term, wrap them in white cotton, muslin (like an old pillow case), or acid-free tissue paper first.
Hot sleepers, for one, will appreciate the cooling benefits, and allergy sufferers may find relief from symptoms by tucking into a bed of linen sheets at night. Since linen is heavier than cotton, it might not suit someone who doesn’t like extra weight on them while they sleep.
Many linen sheets on the market are “stone washed” or “enzyme washed,” which means the softening process has been accelerated to give them an aged feel and appearance, Marriott says. Stone washing involves washing them in huge drums with pumice that beats against the fabric, while enzyme washing uses chemicals—so if you have sensitive skin, you may want to avoid these.
Though they might begin to show signs of wear after three to five years, with proper care, linen sheets can last several decades (really!) before they need to be replaced, Samatas says. Before you buy, examine the weave of the sheets: A very loose weave with open spaces between threads won’t last as long, says Marriott. Most of the time, the more expensive set will denote higher quality.
Also take careful note of the wording on the packaging. “Often what’s being marketed as French or Belgian linen is actually referring to the origin of the flax, and the linen itself is being woven and made in China,” Marriott says.
As with any luxury item, linen sheets are an investment; but as long as you take care of them, the many years of use you’ll get may justify the cost. Keep in mind that linen has a very different feel for sleeping than a fine cotton percale or sateen, so it comes down to personal preference: Linen sheets will never have the smoothness than you might be used to sleeping on cotton sheets, so best thread count for sheets obsessives beware!
]]>A bedroom should be a personal getaway, a sanctuary, which expresses your favorite colors, feelings, and collections. Learn the main rules to remember when decorating your bedroom.
Instead of bold primary colors, choose soothing shades and a restful palette of monochromatic tones. Remember color theory: gentle hues of blue, lavender, or green are considered calm and serene. Rich jewel-toned hues help set the mood of coziness and comfort. These might include toasty browns, deep pomegranate, or topaz. Use toned-down versions of your favorite colors in the bedroom." That might mean choosing mauve instead of eggplant, or pumpkin instead of tangerine.
The ceiling is the fifth wall in a room. When you lie in bed, do you see a bland, blank surface? Add a subtle pattern or soft color. Paint the ceiling a slightly lighter version of the wall color. This will help to visually lower the ceiling and give the space a feeling of comfort and intimacy.
Other solutions would be to stencil or wallpaper the ceiling, add architectural elements in the form of beams or moldings or use a decorative paint treatment. For ultimate luxury, silver-leafed bedroom ceilings, a canopy or tented bed with a dressing that hangs from the ceiling can envelop you in sensuality and warmth while adding texture, design, and color to the ceiling. Add a molded medallion and chandelier of crystal or delicate shades bringing color, pattern, and texture to the "fifth wall" above you.
A bedroom should look cozy and simple, sophisticated, and elegant, regardless of what style of decorating you choose. For ease of movement, leave a minimum of three feet between the bed and side walls or large pieces of furniture and at least two feet between the bed and low furniture, like tables and dressers. If you have to walk around the bed to get from the closet to the bathroom, think of how you can move the bed.
Furnish your bedroom with only what you need. A bed, a bedside table or two, a dresser, and chair are necessities. Anything else is clutter. If you have room, place a chest of drawers in the closet.
Accessories should be kept to a minimum. Choose a beautiful piece of artwork, arrange some family photos, add flowers and candles, and leave it alone
When you're ready to buy bedroom furniture, start out with a floor plan and a measured drawing of the space. Furniture should fit the room it lives and this is particularly true for bedroom furniture. Don't choose a heavy, large bed and dresser for a small bedroom. If the ceiling is high, a tall headboard will help to visibly bring it down to size.
If your bedroom is large, choose furniture that fits it, too. Add a chair and ottoman or place a piece of furniture at the end of the bed. Furniture and accessories that are too small will look lost in a large room.
To add to the serene feeling of a bedroom, store things out of sight. The room will appear more calm and roomy.
Give yourself a special gift with a quiet place to sit and read. Create an intimate reading or lounging area with a comfortable chair and footstool at the end of your bed or in a corner.
If you have room, build a window seat under the bedroom window. Enjoy the view and the natural light.
Outfit your bedroom with beautiful and luxurious fabrics. There's nothing that adds comfort to a bedroom like beautiful linens. Don't buy sheets that are less than 100 percent cotton or linen with high thread counts of 350 or more. For sheets that feel like they came from a 5-star hotel, send them to the dry cleaner for professional washing and pressing, which doesn't cost much, but creates a crisp smoothness worthy of the Ritz.
Add other sensual feeling fabrics through the bedroom with a soft mohair or cashmere throw on the arm of a reading chair, cover the walls with silk or textured wall coverings, hang silk draperies or a silk bed canopy, or add plush floor coverings.
A beautifully dressed window will help to frame the window and the view and provide other ways to add color, pattern, texture, and softness to a bedroom. If you love soft sheer curtains that filter light, combine opaque roller blinds that can be pulled down to maintain privacy at night and to block morning light.
For all draperies, include opaque blinds or drapery lining to keep out the sun when you want to sleep late.
In a bedroom, it's good to "layer" your lighting throughout the room. Ambient lighting light the whole room, small lamps can focus light for reading and other activities, and accent light helps to wash the walls in soft illumination.
To focus reading light where you need it, use a bedside lamp with a movable arm. Each light should be adjustable with a dimmer. Install a separate on/off switch for each light so that you can be selective and light only the area you want.
Try to discipline yourself to keep your cell phone, computer, television, exercise machine, or blackberry out of the bedroom. Create a cherished place to relax and renew. You'll love having a room dedicated to reading, sleeping, and romance.
It may boil down to a few decorating mistakes designers always notice when walking into clients' bedrooms. From ignoring clutter to failing to address mood lighting, these small errors can have a huge impact on the overall look and feel of a room. We tapped some of the best interior designers in the industry to share the mistakes to avoid at all cost in bedroom designs. Are you guilty of these decorating faux pas?
"Oftentimes the bedroom gets overlooked when it comes to artwork," Melissa Warner Rothblum and Julie Massucco Kleiner of Massucco Warner Miller told us. "Not being a public space, it's easy to get all the basics into a bedroom and then leave the walls bare." While people often reserve their best artwork for the living or dining room, Rothblum and Kleiner suggest putting the same attention on art in less prominent rooms: "You go to sleep and wake up in your bedroom almost every day—so why not see something wonderful on the walls?"
"We think it's so sad when a bedroom ceiling is left bare or has a ho-hum flush mount stuck up there," add the Massucco Warner Miller designers. "Have fun with lighting in the bedroom! There is no rule that says chandeliers are reserved for dining rooms."
For interior designer Tim Campbell, there is more to a bedroom than just overhead lighting—reading lights are also essential: "Add indirect and task lighting that keeps the glare of light away from the eye," he says.
The more sources of lighting you have, the better it is for the eyes (and the mood).
Interior designer Trip Haenisch always notices furniture that is too large or small for the bedroom. "Properly scaled furniture is tricky," he says. "Everything looks the same size online. If you lay out the furniture with blue tape, it can help avoid a lot of mistakes." To do this, take the measurements of the piece you want to buy, and tape the width and length in a rectangle on the floor. You'll have a much better sense of the piece in the space.
"A bedroom is supposed to be relaxing and breathable," Shannon Wollack and Brittany Zwickl of Studio Life.Style tell us. "We suggest eliminating unnecessary items and making sure the furniture is not too large for the room." Adequate storage can help minimize clutter. For the items you want to keep in sight, small trays and catchalls can help everything feel more organized.
Wollack and Zwickl are also careful not to use too many bright colors in a bedroom. "We like to use calm, natural colors to keep the space serene and timeless. To add a sheen texture that is not overpowering, we suggest a natural grass cloth." Warm, light neutrals work beautifully in the bedroom, and a variation in textures helps the space feel softer and more inviting.
The designers at Massucco Warner Miller also suggest paying special attention to the headboard: "There's no reason for boxy beige headboards. Do an offbeat fabric on your headboard, or choose an unusual shape." The headboard covers such an important portion of the space and should be treated as such. "If an off-the-shelf headboard has uninspiring fabric options, have it recovered just like you would a chair—and don't hold back with color!"
One of Haenisch's pet peeves in the bedroom is a bed that gets swallowed up by pillows: "I prefer using four regular pillows—two on each side—and only one or two decorative pillows maximum." When it comes to decorative pillows, it's all about quality, not quantity!
Another mistake that Haenisch always notices? Neglected bedding: "If you think about it, we spend almost one-third of our lives in bed. Nice linens are worth the investment!" Pay special attention to the quality and look of your sheets—not only will it improve your décor, but you might sleep better too.
"When your nightstand does not have storage, things start to pile up and a create an unnecessary mess," explain Wollack and Zwickl. "It's best to have nightstands with drawers that can hold books, chargers, and other necessities. We try to only use nightstands that have drawers with built-in chargers so there aren't a lot of exposed cords."