Textiles
Everyone has their own Bedroom Style – What’s yours?
By: Kelly Goldthorpe
Your bed should be a place you can fall into relaxation and get a good night’s sleep. During the day it should reflect your style and the bedroom décor. Purchasing bedding can be a huge headache if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Sure, there are those bed-in-a-bag setups, but with the convenience comes a lack of originality. Now there are many different bedding options available on the market; you’re not longer stuck with that hard-to-clean comforter. Below are some tips so bedroom furnishing is no longer so tricky.
Comforters:
A comforter is a standard bed covering. It is designed with the filling sewn inside, which cannot be removed. They are quilted, which keeps the filling in place, and are very warm and cozy. Because of this however, they should only be dry cleaned. Down comforters provide even more insulation, but require even more care when being cleaned. As for size, comforters do not extend over the pillows or reach the floor. These can be enhanced with a bed skirt, which can hide the space below the bed if necessary.
Coverlets:
Similar to comforters, coverlets are woven and do not reach the floor. They do have extra length to them, allowing you to cover, as the name implies, the pillows. They are lighter than comforters, but heavier than blankets. Cleaning varies so you should refer to any provided instructions.
Bedspreads:
Bedspreads are the largest form of covering you can get. These are common in hotels, where the bedspread reaches the floor and covers the pillows. A tailored bedspread has corners designed to fold in, so they do not jut out in an angle. This creates a very neat and professional appearance.
Duvet Covers:
These are essentially comforters that have removable linings. Duvet covers are very versatile because you buy an insert and then you buy a duvet cover to encase it. This gives you the opportunity to mix and match. You may really like a comforter but it is either too heavy or not heavy enough. You can purchase a duvet insert that fits your needs and then find a cover to go with. Traditionally duvet inserts have down fillings. This is a cheap way to change up the style of your bedroom by simply buying a new duvet cover. Another favorable aspect of a duvet cover is that it can be removed and washed easily.
Decorative Pillows:
Unlike regular pillows which come in a few sizes and one shape, decorative pillows give you the chance to liven up you bed. Decorative pillows can be any size or shape and are made to be fun, not functional. They can incorporate the color scheme of the bed or make it pop. A good rule of thumb is 2-4 decorative pillows on a bed. Some people like more and others can’t stand them at all, so talk with whoever is sharing the bed and see what they prefer. A euro sham is still considered a decorative pillow, and they have a distinctly square appearance to them.
Bed Skirts:
While some consider these more a hassle than they are worth, bed skirts create a finished appearance for your bed. They hid the dark space beneath and can add elegance to your bedding. They can be straight and tailored or pleated.
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The King of Cotton Versus the Queen of the Nile
About a third of our life is spent in bed, so slipping between the sheets for a good night’s rest should be as sumptuous and cozy as it is healing. The pursuit to find the best in bed linens is close to everyone’s heart. However, not all sheets are created equal, so before choosing some cotton comfort for your boudoir there are a few things you need to consider.
Cotton: Cotton is a natural fiber, like silk or wool, and is the best for sheets because of its softness and breathability. After it’s ginned (seeds separated from the cotton fibers), the cotton is sorted into grades based on color, purity, and length of fiber or staple. For instance, muslin is considered to be a low grade cotton and generally used in children’s character theme bedding. Percale comes in 100% cotton or a 50/50 cotton/poly blend that is light weight and easy to care for, but because of the poly blend not all that breathable.
Thread count: Thread count (TC) is the number of threads per square inch in a fabric. For instance, hold a bed sheet up to the light and if you can see the weave, you’ve got a sheet with a low thread count. Low TC sheets appear dull, feel rough to the touch, and are prone to shrinkage. The higher the thread count—well, now, you’re getting close to perfection.
Which brings us to Pima cotton versus Egyptian cotton.
Pima Cotton: is the new king of cotton in the US, famous for its incredible softness, durability, and brilliance in color. Pima is the generic name used for this extra long staple (ELS) or fiber cotton grown in the American Southwest. First cultivated by Native Americans, its ELS is similar to that of Egyptian cotton. This extra long staple means continuous lengths of fiber for use in creating threads. Smaller in diameter, like Egyptian cotton, theses strands are stronger than strands from other cottons. Small strands mean more threads per square inch, and the opulent fabrics created are stronger, lighter, and can breathe well. Because of its high thread count, Pima cotton can be woven into a sumptuous, durable, long lasting, and incredibly soft fabric for sheets. Supima® (short for Superior Pima) sheets are made exclusively of 100% American Pima, incredibly sought after since only 3% of the cotton grown in the US is American Pima. The Supima® trademark is the only guarantee that the sheets you’re about to buy are made of 100% American Pima cotton. Acceptable TC is 200-300.
Egyptian Cotton: Because of its superior durability, luster, and silky feel, Egyptian cotton is considered the queen of all cottons. Grown along the banks of the Nile, this luxuriant fabric owes its superior place on the cotton chain due to its long staple. Sheets produced with Egyptian cotton produce less lint, so they don’t pill after repeated washings. Egyptian sheets can feel a bit stiff when they’re new, but with each washing they can become softer and cuddlier. Just like fine wine, these sheets wear well with age and can last for decades if properly cared for. At one time, Egyptian cotton sheets could only be purchased at expensive and exclusive stores. Today, most department and online stores carry Egyptian cotton sheets and bedding. Acceptable TC is 200-400.
So, there you have it—no definitive answer in the Pima versus Egyptian cotton questions; at least, not yet. Truth be told, it’s really up to you. Just remember to look at the thread count, and don’t take a second job so you can afford sheets of a 1,000 thread count when 200 to 400 TC will do. And if you come to a conclusion, whether Pima cotton wins out over Egyptian cotton, let me know. I’d love to hear what you think.
