A Guide to Choosing the Perfect Bedding for You

There’s nothing better than climbing into a soft, luxurious bed and fresh clean sheets after a long day. Who doesn’t love a big, comfy bedspread? The only problem is the options for such bedding are basically unlimited. With so many choices, it can be easy to get overwhelmed and end up just sticking with what’s easy. Before you go that route, browse some of our tips on picking the bedding that is best for you. 

• Choose a style: a quilt, comforter, or duvet. These items are similar, but with a few considerations to understand. For one thing, think about the climate you’re in and your ideal temperature when you sleep. If it’s typically warm where you live, a full-down comforter won’t be too comfortable. A thin quilt might be just the ticket, with a spare blanket around for those chilly nights. Along those lines, consider how you are most comfortable sleeping. If you wear a lot of layers, then a heavy quilt might be too hot. A duvet is a good option because you can always add an extra blanket to the inside if you need more warmth. One large duvet prevents having different blankets sticking out at weird angles, which a lot of people like. Finally, think about your laundry habits. Not all machines are created equal, and if you have a small energy-efficient dryer, it’s not going to be able to handle an extra-thick blanket. Many people find quilts the easiest to work with, but your mileage may vary. The important thing is to make an intentional choice of bedding types, not just choose whatever pattern you like. 

• Work with your color palette. Choosing the color of your bedding can be really fun, as it's a focal point of any bedroom and really brings things together. Take a holistic look at your entire room and determine if you want to stick with what’s already there, a neutral that complements everything or a pop of color outside of the current colors. If there are already two strong colors present, there’s not much room for introducing another color scheme altogether. However, you can choose a color that aligns with the scheme. For example, if the colors of your walls and curtains are sage and cream, a nice navy bedspread could stand out while complementing the other colors present. A good rule of thumb is that if everything else is neutral (such as wall color and rug), your bedding is a good place to have a little fun with color! 

• Pick a pattern. After color, your next consideration will be design. Most design experts agree that if you have patterns everywhere else in the room, your bed should be solid. If you have solid or neutral walls and furnishings, then you should get more creative with your bedspread. If you do decide to go with a solid bedding option, you can always look for one with a great texture. There are a lot of bedspreads and quilts with gorgeous stitching and interesting details to add a little extra personality. Also, remember that a larger pattern is calmer and a smaller pattern is busier. And finally, it’s always a good idea to stick with the time period of the bed. If you have a beautiful four-poster antique bed, then a mid-century modern quilt will look silly. Similarly, if you have a really cool modern headboard, then adding your grandmother’s hand-me-down quilt will look a little off. Bedding offers a great opportunity to add a little personality to your room!

• The “it” factor. Even after taking all of these things into consideration, you might end up falling in love with a bedspread or quilt that doesn't make any sense. Sometimes, you just like what you like! If you are particularly interested in bedding that doesn’t align with your current color scheme or isn’t the perfect pattern, don’t be afraid to give it a try. You can always bring the color scheme together with a pop of pillows or a rug underneath that ties the colors together.  At the end of the day the only person who has to love your bedding is you - so go with you will be excited to dive into each night. 

Having a bed that you can’t wait to dive into is one of life’s greatest pleasures. However, what makes the perfect bedding will be different from person to person. What works best for you? Make sure to take the time to choose just the right bedding and you’ll have a great night’s sleep in your future. Shop our favorites for affordable, comfortable bedding for every style.