Decorative Bedding Buying Guide
Comforter
Comforters can be filled with multiple materials that determine the weight and warmth. Whether you’re looking for easy care or luxurious, there are a variety of styles to let your inner decorator shine.
Quilt
A quilt includes three layers; the top, a layer of batting and the bottom layer of the quilt. Many quilt styles include piecing. Quilts are lighter weight than comforters, making them a good option for warm climates or for adding additional warmth in cooler climates.
Coverlet
A lighter weight bedding designed to be used a layering piece with coordinating comforters or bedspreads. They’re usually quilted or woven and include decorative stitching.
Bedspread
Bedspreads are intended to cover the entire bed and have a longer drop that skims the floor. Because of the added length, there is typically no need for a bed skirt.
Duvet Cover
Pronounced “du-vay”, these include no filling and use a comforter (typically down or down-alternative) that is sold separately to insert and ties or zippers. The advantage to using a duvet is the ability to change styles easily with the warmer or cooler sleeping. Duvets can be easily removed to machine wash.
Bedding Materials to Know
Blends: Two or more fibers mixed in the yarn or the fabric. Cotton and polyester are typically blended to improve wrinkle resistance and breathability.
Brushed Microfiber: Woven with yarns made up of ultra fine synthetic fibers and brushed to give a soft peachy feel. Easy to launder and wrinkle resistant option that’s known to be extremely soft and durable.
Chenille-plush: TwoFabric that’s created when cotton or cotton-blend tufts are sewn into a base cloth of muslin sheeting. The more tufts that are sewn in, the more luxurious and heavyweight the fabric is. The tufts can be sewn to create an all-over pattern or a pretty floral or paisley design.
Cotton: Natural fiber that is cool to the touch and can be more comfortable and breathable than a manmade fabrics.
Damask: A type of jacquard with firm, lustrous fabric made with flat patterns in a satin weave on a plain-woven ground.
Dobby: A technique used to weave pattern into fabric. Typically, a small geometric or stripe motif is created.
Embroidery: Decorative stitching using yarn to create design on bedding and accessories.
Jacquard: A special type of weaving that uses warp yarn to create intricate patterns.
Linen: A natural material derived from the flax plant. Thick and thin areas of the fiber create a unique texture. Linen has good strength, low pilling and linting tendencies and good breathability.
Matelassé: A special weaving technique, typically using cotton yarns, that creates a quilted or puckered appearance.
Percale Cotton: A closely woven, plain-weave fabric, usually 300 threads per inch or less. The smooth and crisp appearance can create a tailored look but still works great for everyday use.
Pieced: Multiple fabrics sewn together in a decorative pattern usually found in quilts and bedspreads for an heirloom look.
Polyester: Synthetic fiber that’s durable and more wrinkle and shrink resistant than natural fabrics.
Ruching: Pleated, fluted or gathered fabric that’s used for decorative purposes.
Sateen: A weave in which yarn will float across four or more different yarns, creating a smooth, lustrous surface with a soft hand. Sateen or satin weaves can have a much higher thread count than plain weaves. The term “sateen” is used for 100% cotton and “satin” is used for silk or synthetic fabrics. The light sheen of sateen creates either a relaxed or elegant look.
Shirred: Gathered fabric that’s decorative.
How to Style and Layer Your Bed
After your bedding basics and sheets are taken care of, it’s time to style the top of the bed. This includes several fun layering pieces like your quilts, coverlets, shams and more. Not sure where to start? We’ll show you how to build your bed from the basics, up.
Layer One (after sheets):
- Duvet Cover – be sure to always fill your duvet cover with a luxurious duvet insert (link to white goods). We love duvet covers because of how easy they are to switch out when your bedroom needs a style refresh, and how easy they are to clean.
- Comforter – similar to duvets covers, these will be the focal point of your bed. Comforters have super soft fillings, and typically come with shams to make styling your entire bed easier than ever.
Layer Two (layered with duvet cover or comforter):
- Quilt/Coverlet – these are extra versatile, because they can be styled underneath, or on top of your duvet or comforter. Because they’re usually lightweight, these are perfect for layering with your duvet or comforter in the winter, while adding a pop of color or an interesting texture. In the summertime when you want to stay extra cool, you can use this instead of your duvet.
- Bedspread – though very similar to quilts/coverlets, bedspreads are usually larger to cover your entire bed (including the box springs and mattress).
Layer Three (on top of quilt, coverlet, duvet cover or comforter):
- Shams – these are decorative shams that are styled in front of your pillowcases. They usually coordinate with your duvet cover or comforter to tie your bed together. These also come in Euro sizes that are especially great for larger beds like Kings.
- Decorative Pillows and Throws – now that your bed is mostly styled, be sure to add some extra personal touches with decorative pillows and throws.
