Get Better Sleep with Luxury Bedding
You may think it’s just the mattress that makes for a good night’s rest, but luxury bedding truly makes a difference. In fact, today’s high-quality mattresses made of foam and latex aren’t ideal for temperature control, even if you love how they support your body. You may wake in the middle of the night hot and in a sweat, and then can’t get back to sleep because the sheets are damp and clammy. Don’t go tossing out that expensive mattress yet, though. Bedding is the answer.
A Counter-Intuitive Solution
A washable wool mattress protector that has a 100-percent cotton terrycloth cover absorbs perspiration much better than polyester and it will keep your mattress wonderfully clean and fresh. The cotton layer under your fitted sheet will keep the wool from being scratchy. Also, its breath-ability will keep you cozy at any time of year, even in Maryland wear it can be 75 degrees one day and then 40 degrees the next.
Start Your Décor with Luxury Bedding
This is my favorite part, where we can get creative: the bedding. Bed coverings are a great accent to your bedroom décor, and because most of the focus in the room is on the bed itself, it makes sense to start your bedroom makeover by choosing the bedding first, followed by paint color and accessories. You may not realize that you aren’t limited to the comforters and duvet covers available at retail stores. Professional designers have access to thousands of industry-only fabrics and can have the perfect bed covering and coordinating pillows made just for you. That’s luxury! And that’s what we did in this bedroom retreat in Ellicott City, MD.
The Scoop on Thread Count
It’s likely you have heard a lot about thread counts for sheets, but sky-high thread counts do not always mean higher quality. It is much more important to select bedding made from long-staple cotton yarns, which produce higher-quality fabric, and bedding that uses single-ply yarns, which are the silkiest and smoothest. The type of weave also comes into play. For instance, sateen is a very smooth weave with a subtle sheen and silky feel. Considering these elements will often guarantee more comfort than simply the thread count, and comfort is what helps you wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated with the right mood to take on the day.
Cotton or Linen?
Now that you know about thread counts, it’s time to learn about fibers. There is no denying that cotton is “the fabric of our lives” and nowhere is that more apparent than in the bedroom, where this soft, breathable, and highly durable natural fiber shows up in the best bedding. It is what most of us think of when we think of high quality. It’s not the only option, though.
Since the ancient Egyptians and even before, linen has long been a popular choice. It is colorfast and launders beautifully, and the more it is used the softer it gets and the stronger it becomes. Linen is thermo-regulating, which means it insulates in the wintertime and is cool and breathable in the summertime. It can also absorb 20 percent of its weight in moisture before it feels damp, and it easily releases that moisture into the air to remain cool and dry to the touch. Another benefit of linen is that it is made from flax, which makes it an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin. The flax plant requires considerably fewer pesticides and fertilizers than other crops, making it more non-allergenic and anti-bacterial.
Fine quality bedding will last a decade or more, while others can pill and create abundant lint within just a few launderings. Imagine the bliss of settling in for the night in relaxing and comfortable luxury bedding, and then waking feeling revitalized.
