The bed is the most comfortable place at home, and it is possible to relax in other parts of the house; we crave our beds after a hard day.
If this sounds untrue to you, you need to check your mattress and, most importantly, bedding.
There are different types of bedding, and without the right one, you may never have a comfortable sleep, no matter how much you invested in your mattress.
This post will discuss the different types of beddings and how they can make your sleep more comfortable.
What is bedding?
Bedding is a term that describes bed sheets, pillows, blankets, and other accouterments of bed people use to protect, decorate and cover their mattresses. They are of different types, including fitted sheets, flat sheets, quilts, etc.
12 Different types of bedding
1. Fitted sheet
A fitted sheet is the primary bedding layer with elastic bands around the edges, and it’s usually snugly fitted on the mattress.
People who use a mattress protector lay their fitted sheet on top of it.
The elastic band holds the sheets to the bed, so they don’t come off in the middle of the night. To have a well-made bed, ensure that the corners of your fitted sheet are tightly tucked around your mattress.
2. Flat sheet
After the fitted sheets, the flat sheet is the next applied when bed making. It is the layer that has direct contact with the body and must be hygienic and made of easy-to-wash materials.
It barriers the body from other bed covers used for decoration or warmth.
Though traditional flat sheets are usually tucked down the mattress, luxury sheets are allowed to hang by the side of the bed to give a polished look.
3. Coverlet
A coverlet is a bed cover with decorative woven designs. Though they do not cover every part of the bed, they cover the bottom with their sides hanging down a few inches below the box spring but don’t touch the floor.
Though a coverlet can be tucked in, those with designed edge trim are usually left untucked.
4. Duvet cover
Duvet covers are protective and decorative materials used to cover inserted duvets. They are available in different fillings and weights.
Depending on the location, duvet covers can be used alone or on a flat sheet. Without the intermediary layers, and make it less complex to dress the bed.
They are available in different luxurious designs and layered over a quilt or blanket.
Their placement on the foot of the bed makes it easy to pull up for warmth, and most times, the sides of a duvet cover are allowed to hang down to cover the boxsprings.
5. Comforter
A comforter is an easy layer placed on a mattress to do the work of a duvet or duvet cover. However, it is one piece with wide functional stitches to ensure evenly distributing the fillings.
6. Blanket
The blanket is generally used to describe any bedcover that’s ticker than a sheet, including duvet, quilt, and comforters.
They are primarily long pieces of soft woven fabric and are available in different types including, microfiber, satin, polyester, and synthetic material.
Though primarily used for warmth, the sides of a blanket drape over the bed to add beauty to the room.
7. Blanket cover
The blanket cover is a very light decorative material placed over a blanket for decorative purposes. It is primarily used in hotel beds to protect the blankets from dirt and dust and limit the wash frequency.
Like the flat sheet and fitted sheet, the blanket cover can be washed at once without ironing.
8. Quilt
The quilt is a type of blanket laid on the bed, only that it is flatter and flusher than the comforter. Since they’re not that fluffy, they don’t provide enough warmth as a comforter.
A quilt has three layers, two fabric layers, and a batting stitched in between them. They are so beautiful and valuable for decorative designs.
Though quilts are not that fluffy, they are dense and give a heavy feel to the body. Some luxury quilts can be used alone to act as a sheet or laid under a duvet cover or on a blanket.
9. Bedspread
A bedspread is a decorative and lightweight material used to cover every bed part, and it goes over the pillow reaching the floor.
Bedspreads provide an easy way to make a bed, making it easy to hide everything on the bed with just one swoop. It is beneficial for people that want to cover their bedding set up from dust mites, dirt, and other elements.
10. Throw
With trims or fringes, throws throw blankets provide extra warmth, decoration or covering the top of a bed. It is usually nicely folded at the foot of the bed or placed on top of any bed covering.
11. Pillows
There are two types of pillows, including throw pillows and sleeping pillows. The throw pillows are used for decorative purposes and are available in different styles and colors, while the sleeping pillows are the ones we sleep on, which are covered by pillowcases or pillow shams. A pillow sham is a decorative pillowcase used to hide the pillow.
12. Bed scarf
Also called the bed runner, the bed scarf is a decorative material laid on the foot of the bed to cover the bedding from dirty legs or shoes, pets, or suitcases in a hotel.
Different types of bedding materials
Like there are different types of bedding, so are they made from various materials. Cotton is the most popular.
Let’s look at them individually;
1. Cotton
Cotton materials are the most used for beddings, and this is because it is breathable, easy to wash and remove stains and stay cool on the body. With time, cotton sheets soften but maintain their durability. They are available in different types, including Egyptian, Pima, Upland, Flannel, and Jersey.
2. Bamboo
The bamboo material is environmentally friendly and used to make different household goods besides beddings. Bamboo beddings are generally softer than polyester or linen and are durable, breathable, and hypoallergenic. They are also wrinkle-resistance.
3. Polyester
Polyester is best used for beddings when blended with other materials because pure polyester sheets are rough. However, when blended, they are softer and provide more comfort.
These sheets are wrinkle-resistant, affordable, and easy to wash. They are your best friend if you do not need iron or steam.
However, polyester is oil absorbent, water-resistant, and terrible at removing stains, especially white.
4. Linen
Linen is light and airy and best for hot sleepers and people with allergies since they are naturally cooling and hypoallergenic.
However, stiffness is a disadvantage here, and the material tends to lighten up when washed. Also, it is never as soft as cotton.
5. Tencel
As a brand name for Lyocell, this wood pulp product is available in different trees, especially the eucalyptus. It is wrinkle-resistant and environmentally friendly and can be recycled and reused.
Tencel is smooth, soft, and hypoallergenic. It is an excellent choice for eco-conscious customers, and however, cotton and linen materials are more breathable than it.
6. Silk
Silk is a natural fiber produced by silkworms and requires delicate care. It is a naturally hypoallergenic material but quite pricey and laborious to maintain.
Besides, sheets made from silk are perfect for spicing romance to a room since they look cool and rich.
7. Microfiber
Microfiber is a blend of finely woven polyester, and it is less breathable than cotton but softer than polyester. It is an excellent sheet for kids as it doesn’t stain even when they eat or sleep with their dogs.
8. Satin
Satin sheets offer an alluring feel and are made from synthetic fibers. They are similar to silk and can add some romance to the room.
Satin sheets can either be knitted or woven, but the woven ones are smoother than the knitted ones.
What to consider when choosing your bedding?
It is medically advised to spend sleep for 8 hours every day. You must invest wisely in your bedding as stay affects your sleep quality for this to be possible.
To buy the best bedding, always consider the following factors.
Breathability
You should always keep the temperature in mind when buying new bedding, especially if you run hot when sleeping. Except you feel chilly at night, stick to purchasing breathable fabrics. People who feel cold at night can go for beddings with a synthetic layer to help them retain some body heat.
Comfort
This is paramount when choosing your beddings. Bedding must give a comfortable feel, which depends on the fabric’s material and weave.
One thing to consider when selecting comfortable beddings is the thread count. The thread count is the number of woven threads per square inch of the bedding, and it ranges from 100 to 1,000.
Though it doesn’t equate to the quality, softer sheets have higher thread counts, and they are usually more expensive than sheets with lower thread counts.
According to experts, you can buy beddings with 200 to 400 thread counts per square inch for best results.
Quality
Went on a budget, you may be tempted to buy inexpensive but beautiful bed sheets. However, you can improve the quality of your sleep by investing more in your bedding. Remember, your sleep quality affects your health in the long term. So, always opt for high-quality bedding.
Hypoallergenic
If you have allergies, stick to bedding with antimicrobial properties. This is because you likely have a more comfortable sleep when your materials are naturally resistant to mold and dust mites.
Conclusion
There are different types of bedding, and choosing the best is essential for optimal sleep. However, when considering your mattress and sheets, always consider your primary requirements from your bedding.
