Today's post is all about my bed. Why? I have noticed that in the pictures I share of my bed on instagram, you can get an idea of how I have created the overall aesthetic including where certain pieces of bedding can be purchased, but assembling my dream bed has taken way more thought and effort than my photos can detail. There are so many factors that need to be considered when making decisions regarding the comfort, longevity and decor of your bed, so today I am diving into this topic and sharing my most important tips for assembling a dream bed.
Bedding Basics
- Feather Bed or Mattress Topper- My mattress has a built-in pillow top but that didn't deter me from purchasing a featherbed! Featherbeds are a great way to give the surface of your bed that pillowy/fluffy look. In addition, if you are currently sleeping on a mattress that is just a little too hard or maybe it's an older mattress, a featherbed or mattress topper (hypoallergenic alternative to the feather bed) can work wonders! I purchased my featherbed from Pottery Barn and absolutely LOVE it, but here are a few other options to consider if you are looking for a hypoallergenic alternative (Option 1 and Option 2).
- Pillows- My husband and I both prefer firm, down feather pillows. Note- if you are going to purchase good quality down pillows they are definitely an investment (but in my opinion totally worth it). Since we have a queen size bed at the moment we are using standard sized pillows, but if you have a king size bed, I would suggest looking into king size pillows as they tend to fit the scale of the bed much better. For more economical pillow options, I would suggest looking into down alternative and memory foam pillows. There are so many options to pick from when it comes to pillows, my best advice is to go to the store and test the pillows (even if it's just touching them) before you buy them.
- Duvet Inserts- Just like pillows and mattress toppers, duvet inserts are available in both down and down alternative. My one piece of advice here is to buy a duvet insert and NOT a comforter. Why? It is so much easier on you and your washing machine to wash a duvet cover as opposed to a big bulky comforter. Bedding should be washed every 1-2 weeks and having to tackle cleaning that comforter with that kind of regularity is not easy.
Linens
- Sheets- There are so many facets to selecting sheets and I will be honest with you all, I am not an expert when it comes to the various ins and outs of bed sheets. What I do know is that it is absolutely critical to know the depth of your mattress plus featherbed/mattress topper (if you have one) before you go and purchase sheets. Fitted sheets come in an array of depths and the last thing you want is to find out after you have purchased and washed the sheets is that they are too small for your bed. In addition, like pillows I think it's important to go in person to see the sheets before purchasing in order to feel them yourself and determine which are the most comfortable. You really can't trust thread counts as an indication of the sheet's comfort since they can vary so drastically in feel depending on where you go to purchase. I am personally in love with the Wamsutta Dreamzone Sheet Set from Bed Bath and Beyond. They are comfortable, deep, easy to wash and with a Bed Bath and Beyond Coupon I can buy them for 20% off!
- Pillow and Mattress Protectors- Pillows and mattresses really only need to be cleaned every 6 months. The reason? Pillow and mattress protectors cover them and most high quality protective bedding covers are water and dust resistant. Washing these covers regularly will keep your pillows and mattress in better condition and require cleaning only every six months.
- Blanket- My husband and I are both fans of sleeping in subzero temperatures. As a result of this preference, we have opted for a cotton blanket (here) as the middle layer between our flat sheet and blanket cover. If your are someone who prefers additional warmth, I would suggest looking into a wool blanket (like this one). Wool blankets are also a great way to "winterize" your bed, as they add an exceptional layer of warmth. Personally I am a fan of white blankets because a) you can't see it and b) I wouldn't want a red blanket (for example) giving my matlesse a pink tint.
- Matelasse, Coverlet, Blanket Cover, Quilt- I have always grown up having a matelasse covering my bed. I love the classic clean look and that it affords me the ability to have the duvet folded at the end of my bed (as opposed to always being pulled up). It is a great alternative top cover during the hot summer months and a definite must-have for my bed. The matelasse I ended up selecting for our bed is the Marcus Collection Cane Matelasse Coverlet. To add additional continuity to the bed I also purchased the matching european sham covers. The european pillows also give the bed a little extra height, which I am a fan of as well! Tip- If you sign up to receive Horchow emails, you can get a 20% off your entire purchase coupon (yes please!).
- Duvet and Pillow Shams- My duvet cover and standard shams are my pop of color. While perusing various catalogues and websites last year in preparation for our move, I came across the most fabulous duvet and standard sham set from Dwell Studio. Since the base color was citrine, it was a slightly daring move, but since the rest of my bedroom color palette was so neutral and subdued I felt ok being a little daring with this particular pattern.
Decorative Accents
Pillows and throw blankets are essential for giving your bed a completed "look." For my bed, I opted to include a bold pop of regal blue with these velvet studded pillows from West Elm. I have also included images of my bed when we first moved in and our bed was decorated with a monogrammed boudoir pillow. I love the look of a boudoir pillow on a bed, however this pillow had to be retired due to out of date initials (my maiden name). At the foot of my bed, I have draped this Sferra Brushed Cotton Herringbone Throw on the diagonal to give my bed that perfectly imperfect touch.
While it may seem silly to think that there are so many different components to building the perfect bed, they are all aspects that are worthy of consideration. Next week I will be sharing my tips for how to care for the various aspects of the bed and ultimately increase your bed's lifespan, so stay tuned!
