Design Your Living Space
The easiest way to change the look of a bedroom is by using new linens. There are various styles and types that can accentuate a theme or be versatile no matter what look you’re trying to achieve.
Color is obviously important. Choose colors that help create the atmosphere; for warm and cozy try soft oranges or tans, a cool relaxing blue might be nice for a get away from work, or try going bold with a bright yellow to wake you up in the morning.
While interesting patterns and designs definitely spice up a room, don’t forget to also buy the “classic” linens. They’re great to have for switching up the look of a room quickly by mixing and matching with other sets. Traditionally, people lean toward solid, neutral colors such as white and ivory. But don’t forget the multitude of colors available, including sky blue, sea foam green, silver or even pink.
Don’t forget texture! Mix up the look and feel of your room by using complimentary fabrics throughout the room. Most linens made from cotton or a cotton blend will be easy to wash. They come in a variety of weights are ideal to layer with a comforter or quilt. Linens made from Egyptian cotton are particularly soft and are of high quality. Other luxury fibers and yarns you'll see are cashmere, chenille, wool and alpaca.
Construction and Quality
You’ll hear a lot about thread count. It’s a measure of the coarseness or fineness of linens by counting the number of threads contained in one square inch of fabric. It’s an easy starting point to get an idea of what you’re buying. Higher quality sheets will range between 250 to 300 and for luxury quality, look for sheets with a thread count higher than 300.
But, thread count isn’t the only thing to go by when looking for the perfect bedding. Be sure to look at the quality of the fabric and the construction for a better understanding of the linen. Different blends have different textures, qualities and uses. One of the most common materials you’ll see is cotton. If you’re sensitive to chemicals and dyes, you may want to try organically grown sheets.
Flannel, muslin, oxford, percale and sateen weaves are most commonly used for cotton sheets. Percale is tightly woven basic weave used throughout bedding, as is sateen. Flannel sheets can come in handy during the colder winter months to provide extra warmth. Oxford cloth presents the sophistication of dress shirt fabric, presenting a soft and heavy sheet.
Buy the highest quality linens you can afford. It will pay off in the long run. Try purchasing a high quality set, you’ll be surprised by the difference!
Having trouble deciding on a design or feel for your room? Check out our bedding section for ensembles conveniently available for purchase by the item, so you can choose shams, duvets, sheets and more!
