Make up bed well — you’ll lie in it

Overwhelmed by the myriad choices in bedding?

Here are five top considerations to help narrow the options:

❚ Know the difference between Egyptian cotton and regular cotton. The fibre of Egyptian cotton is longer than regular cotton (1 3/8-inch compared to one inch). So, in theory, the Egyptian cotton should have a longer lifespan. However, there are different grades of Egyptian cotton, and thread counts vary between 250 to 1,000 threads per square inch.

❚ Duvet cover versus comforter: A duvet cover is more popular because it can be easily changed, washed and stored. Conversely, a comforter is less popular, especially if you need a queen and king size, because not many people have a washing machine large enough to stuff it in. The polyester-filled comforters will also ball over time.

❚ Measure the pocket size of your mattress. Even though thicker mattresses with pillowtops are the consumer equivalent of flat-screens, not all linen companies have caught up with the mattress companies. So it’s important to measure your mattress depth or know the make before shopping for fitted sheets. If the pocket size is too big, it’s going to get all crunched up underneath you, and that’s uncomfortable. And if you buy it too small, it’s going to slip off the corners.

❚ Washing instructions: To enhance the durability and longevity of your linens, wash them in water no warmer than 40 C — typically the warm cycle on most machines. Excessive heat is the enemy of all linens, The dryer is fine as long as you use the warm setting and, if possible, only fluff and remove from dryer immediately on completion of the drying cycle to eliminate wrinkles.

❚ What to avoid if you have pets or young kids? For adults, go with luxurious 100 per cent cotton or bamboo bedding. But if the set is for kids or there are pets in the household, go for a 50-50 cotton-polyester blend, so it will wash and wear well and won’t wrinkle.

One bed, 3 inviting looks

With the Christmas Day blitz over, it’s time to curl up in your cosy bed and relax.

OK, maybe not, but bedding is a sure-fire way to set a calming, restful tone in a bedroom. Hundreds of options are available in department and specialty stores to turn a simple room into a high-end hotel suite, charming country cottage or Zen-like spa retreat.
Here are three distinctive, luxurious looks for a queen-size bed:

❚ Girl power
Funky and colourful, this pink and purple combo screams girlie. Here’s how they got the look:
Eternity Pink and Purple with sequence by Maison de Vie, Lawrence, including duvet cover, sheet set, breakfast cushion, square cushion, neck roll and Euro cushion.

❚ Five-star hotel
This style is all about luxury linens. Here’s how they got the look:
Hotel Suite bedding by Century Home Fashion, including duvet cover, decorative pillows, sheet set (with one flat and one fitted sheet and two pillowcases).

❚ Spa central
Fresh, crisp and clean, this mostly white ensemble provides a calming effect at the end of a stressful day. Here’s how they got the look:

Casa Silver Scroll duvet by Coventry, Swiss Dot sheets, Zurich, 350-thread-count sateen Egyptian cotton.

— Canwest News Service