How to Shop for ... Bedsheets
Five tips to help you create the cozy bed of your dreams.
Your bed should be a place for ultimate relaxation. And second only to your mattress, the bedsheets you choose are the key to your comfort. If you have the storage, building up a wardrobe of bedding options is the best way to adjust your sleep setup with the seasons. But you need to make sure you have the right options for your specific needs.
No matter what type of sleeper you are, keeping these five tips in mind will make shopping for bedsheets even easier:
1. Factor in the climate.
When choosing bedsheets, the time of year, where you live, and how warm or cold you like to keep your bedroom are all things to consider. I have thicker sateen and brushed cotton sheets for London’s cooler weather and linen ones for the warmer months or any surprise heatwave.
2. Think about how you sleep.
Do you like to be tucked in or do you always have one foot hanging out? Do you always feel chilly or consistently wake up sweating? Building on the first point, your bedsheets should keep you comfortable so you stay asleep all night. Higher thread counts breathe less, which may make them soft, but also prone to holding in heat. Consider the texture and weight of the fabrics you’re looking at to build your ideal bedding setup. When in doubt, go lighter.
3. Set the mood.
Your bedroom should be your ideal sleep environment. Think about the colors that make you feel most relaxed. Some of us feel calmer in a room awash in neutrals like white, beige and cream. Others need a dark, moody environment to help them wind down. Plan your palette accordingly based on your desired impact and the decor of your room as a whole.
4. Check your cleaning schedule.
Bedsheets should be changed regularly. Pet messes, the oils from our skin and hair, and those midnight snacks will all show up on your bedding. I like to wash my sheets every week to keep them clean and fresh. Remember the commitment involved when choosing a color that may show stains or fabric with special instructions. Whatever you choose, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to preserve your sheets.
5. Consider the final look you want.
Different fabrics and thread counts will produce different looks once your bed is made. If you prefer the crisp lines you find in a hotel room, opt for something like sateen, but beware, you may need to bust out the iron. If you prefer a more casual setup, linen or brushed cotton are excellent choices and look better wrinkled.
Want more tips? Learn how to shop for denim here.
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