Make your bed well, then sleep in it

Experts say that we spend around 25 years of our lives in bed.

It is, therefore, worthwhile to put some thought and money into making your bed as comfortable as possible.

One of the best ways to do this is to get good quality bedroom linen and make your bedroom as cosy as possible.

Here is a guide on how to get the best bedroom linen for your bed.

LIE DOWN

On a good mattress, that is. The importance of a good mattress cannot be overemphasised. Get a good, solid, high-density mattress.

Take care of your mattress by airing it as often as you can and also by using a cover to protect it from dust and stains. Also, every month flip your mattress over so that the surface can remain with time.

COVER UP

Many sets of sheets come in combinations of two types: flat and fitted. The latter are often used first and come with elastic at the corners to fit the mattresses with ease.

The former has no elastic and, as their name suggests, are just flat and easy to spread over a bed. It is important to note that flat sheets can also be used as a “fitted” sheets by folding their corners.

As far as material goes, the best fabric to use is cotton as it breathes well during both the hot and cold season.

HEADS UP

Bed pillows are sleep must-haves since they offer cushioned support for the head and the neck. When buying pillows, it is important to note that there are different pillows for different types of sleepers based on one’s sleep position.

If you sleep on your back, then you need a sturdy pillow that can provide support for your neck and spine. For stomach sleepers, the best pillow is one that is relatively flat.

Last but not least, the best pillow for side sleepers is a soft pillow. Apart from basic bed pillows that provide support, toss or decorative pillows are used to accessorise a sleeping space.

Your toss pillows do not have to be functional, but can be used to express your own personal style. For instance, if you are a lover of words, you can get throw pillows with some of your favourite words.

If you are a lover of nature, then you can use the throw pillows to express your love for nature by using fabrics with leaf, butterfly, or bird prints.

WARM UP

The next bedroom textile essential is a duvet and a comforter. Duvets are based on a system of warmth measurement known as togs. Duvets range from 4.5 (lightweight) to 13.5 (heavy duvets for cooler climates).

It is wise to buy two types: a lightweight for warmer seasons and a heavy one for cooler seasons. Like your mattress, a duvet needs a good quality cover to protect it from dust and stains.

There is no limit to how many duvets you can use as long as you keep their colours neutral and coordinated with the colour of your sheets and bedroom walls.

THROWN

Last but not least, another bedroom essential is a blanket or throw that you can use to add to the warmth of your duvet or for a quick nap. The beauty about a blanket or a throw is that they serve both decorative and functional purposes.

A great and classic blanket to add to your bedroom is a plaid, woollen blanket in neutral colours. Another easy and timeless way to incorporate a throw is to use an inexpensive Maasai blanket over white bedroom linen.

The look would look particularly great if accessorised with leather throw pillows. Yet another way to incorporate a throw is to use an African mud cloth over your bed to add some ethnic drama to your sleeping space.