If health is your greatest wealth, your master bedroom is the vault, and good sleep is its guardian defending it from the greedy thieves known as stress and anxiety. Without sleep, your body can’t function properly. You get moody and groggy, it’s hard to concentrate, your sugar cravings are raving, it’s like all the warning lights are on at once.
Because you surely know the experience, you’re probably doing your best to avoid dealing with it on the regular. So, you limit your screen time, reduce your coffee intake to reasonable 2 cups, drink plenty of water, eat healthy foods and yet, there you are, tossing and turning all night. So, what’s the reason you still can’t get some quality shuteye?
Well, sometimes your bed or bedding, to be precise, is to blame for a poor night’s sleep. Choosing low-quality or wrong bedclothes for your sleep preferences may be robbing you blind of your Zs. If you often find yourself wrestling with your bed sheets or waking up all sweaty in the middle of the night, it’s time to get your master bedroom outfit right.
Double-Down the Comfort with the Right Sheets
The most common bed size for master bedrooms in the UK is the standard double. It doesn’t matter if you have a designer or typical full bed, without the right sheets you won’t be able to get that much-needed shut-eye.
Since your body needs a friendly point of contact with your bed to kip down, you should outfit your mattress with soft and comfortable double sheets. Double bed sheets come in a wide variety of colours and patterns but don’t let them steal all your attention. Although it’s easy to fall in love with certain double sheets just because they’re visually appealing, resist the urge to choose looks over quality. What matters the most is the fibre, weave and thread count.
The Fibres of Quality Bedding
Fibre can come from natural sources such as cotton and silk or synthetic manmade sources such as polyester. At first glance, you immediately recognise the first one as the better, softer and more breathable option. And you’re absolutely right. However, synthetic materials have their own benefits as well. In most cases, synthetic fibres are superior in terms of durability and wrinkle resistance. While 100% natural sheets may be a good option for those suffering from allergies, you shouldn’t be intimidated by quality cotton/polyester blends. These lovelies combine the best of two worlds; the natural properties of cotton with the easy-care properties of polyester.
It’s also worth mentioning that not all-natural fibres are created equal. If you’re after that premium experience, you should opt for combed and long staple cotton sheets. If the label says combed, it means that all the short threads and nibs that stick out have been removed to guarantee next-level softness.
As for the long staple, this term refers to the length of individual threads. Longer cotton threads produce softer, smoother and more durable fabrics. For the ultimate TLC experience, look no further than Pima and Egyptian cotton double sheets which are widely known for their long staple.
Weave a Web of Good Sleep
Moving forward to the weave, you’ll notice that there are also several types to choose from. The most common weave types on the market are percale and sateen. Percale offers unmatched breathability and comfort. It’s soft to the touch and becomes even softer over time. Sateen weave is a bit heavier, but it still feels smooth and delicate to the touch. The weave you choose is a matter of personal preference, although hot sleepers tend to like the percale weave more.
Don’t Let Comfort Hang by a Thread
The next thing to consider is the thread count. This indicator shows the number of threads per square inch of fabric. Although there’s a heated debate going on about what thread count is best for sheets, it’s safe to say that quality double bed sheeting starts somewhere at 200TC. However, if you’re after that 7-star hotel luxury experience, you should explore higher thread counts.
Now that you know what to look for, you can go wild with the colours and patterns. Not too wild though, you still want to create a serene environment for sleeping. It’s best to stick to soft or neutral colours such as off-white, pink, purple and baby blue, you get the idea. As for the patterns, florals or geometrics, it’s totally up to you.
Stay Snug as a Bug Under a Luxury Duvet Set
Once you have your sheets, you need to find the right duvet and duvet covers to complete the experience. Crawling under a soft, fluffy and warm bed duvet feels like a great, big hug that cradles you into a good night’s sleep. To enjoy your bed duvet to the fullest, make sure to choose the right size, especially if you’re sharing the bed. You surely don’t want to play tug of war with your partner or have half of your duvet on the floor. Although double beds measure 135x190cm, you need a double duvet that measures at least 200x200cm for comfortable sleeping.
When shopping for bed duvets, you can choose between various weight and tog ratings. It’s important not to confuse these terms because they refer to different things. Weight is measured in GSM, and this number indicates the weight of the filling per square meter. The higher the GSM, the heavier the duvet will be. The tog rating shows how effective the duvet is in trapping heat. Togs of 4.5 and below are well suited for the summer months, whereas 10.5 and above is ideal for winter.
Similarly to bedsheets, you can also choose from natural and synthetic materials for the duvet filling. The choice you make should be in accordance with your needs and lifestyle. For instance, if you suffer from allergies or asthma, you may need to avoid feather fillings. But if you don’t want to forego the luxe comfort of these lovelies, you can opt for a Nomite approved duvet.
As for the covers, you should abide by the same rules for buying sheets. It’s important not to skimp on quality when choosing duvet covers because they have a triple purpose. One, they keep you nice and toasty. Two, they protect your duvet from dust, stains and tear. And three, they add to the aesthetic of your bedroom.
Rest Your Head on the Best Pillow/Pillowcase Combo
Without the right pillow and pillowcase combo, it would be unachievable to get a restful night sleep. Although it’s impossible to answer what type of pillow is best because everyone has different needs and wants, some general guidelines can help you make an informed choice. When shopping for pillows, you’ll notice that there are several shapes and sizes available including but not limited to:
- Standard pillows – the most common type, usually measuring 48cm x 74cm.
- Orthopaedic V-shaped pillows – specially designed to relieve upper back and neck pain.
- Bolster pillows – specially designed to run the length of your body for additional support.
- Square pillows – usually measuring 65cm x 65cm, fit for sleeping and décor.
The most sought-after in retail and hospitality are the versatile standard pillows that accommodate back, stomach and side sleepers. It doesn’t matter if you have a twin or double bed, a standard pillow or two will fit just right. Even though they’re labelled as standard, these pillows can differ in height, firmness and weight. Figuring out the perfect ratio is usually done by trial and error, but if you’re lucky, you might get it right the first time.
And the last, but not least addition to your bedding ensemble is the pillowcase. Pillowcases are paramount to a good night’s sleep and yet they’re unjustly underrated. Even if you’ve found the perfect pillow, you can easily ruin the experience with the wrong cover. That’s why you should know a thing or two about pillowcase fabrics.
Cotton is the most popular choice because it virtually ticks all the boxes. It’s soft, breathable, affordable and durable. Moreover, if you’re a hot sleeper, you’ll find cotton to be quite crisp and refreshing. What more can you want? Well, due to its highly absorbent nature, cotton may not be the right choice if you suffer from acne, dry skin or brittle hair.
If you want to get your beauty sleep on and wake up to a wrinkle-free face and frizz-free hair, a much better choice would be a silk pillowcase. Silk is naturally hypo-allergenic and temperature regulating offering a silky smooth feel to the touch. It’s not as absorbent as cotton, so it won’t soak up all the products from your nighttime skincare routine.
Now that you know how to outfit your bed for style and comfort, it’s time to proceed with the actual makeover. Remember, even if premium bedding seems pricey, you’re not pouring money down the drain. After all, you spend more than a third of your life sleeping, and the least you can do is invest in high-quality bedclothes.