Bedding

Your bed is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your house. It's where you spend a majority of your time at home and is where you rest and rejuvenate, so it should be comfortable and inviting for you and your spouse.

Choosing the right type of bedding can make a world of difference in a good night's sleep. The first factor to consider when purchasing sheets is thread count. Thread count is measured by the number of threads in one square inch of fabric, and typically the higher the better. However, while thread count is important you need to weigh it against the type of cotton used. A 1000 thread count sheet made from a really low-quality cotton won't feel as good as a 500 thread count in Egyptian Cotton. Here is a chart that will help you compare:

	Thread Count	Type of Cotton
Best	2000	100% Egyptian Cotton
		100% Pima Cotton (Supima)
		100% Sea Island Cotton
Worst	200	100% Cotton (American Upland Cotton)

To test the durability, I usually rub a tiny corner of the fabric together to see if it pills. (Pilling is when fabric rubs together so much that it creates little balls of the material all over the fabric - like an old sweater.) Pilling is usually an indication of poor-quality cotton, so steer clear. Your sheets will get a lot of use, so it's good to see if they will shed or pill before you buy them. Shop around to get the best sheets you can afford, just make sure to test them out before you buy.

Now that we have the comfort factor down, let's talk about the pretty stuff - aesthetics.
We've all seen beautiful beds like this:

But, how do we make it look this good? The designer secret is - layering. Here are the basic items you'll need to create a beautiful look for your bed:

1. Good set of sheets - fitted and flat
2. Dust ruffle/Bed skirt - if your bed can handle one
3. Pillow cases that match your sheets
4. Duvet cover and insert/Comforter
5. Pillow Shams
6. Accent Pillows

These items aren't necessary but add a lot of impact when they are added:

7. Euro Shams (These are the square pillows that go toward the back of your bed)
8. Throw
9. Quilt/Coverlet
10. Second set of long rectangle-shaped accent pillows. (Pictured in tan below)

I've done a really simple drawing to show you a common way to make your bed with all of these components:

You can switch this up almost any which way you want. I would stick with the order of the sheets, duvet and coverlet, but you could put the Euro Shams at the back and then pillowcases and accent pillows, and it would look great!

I hope this helps you pick the right bedding and make yourself a beautiful bed. Please post your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. If you have your own bedding completed, please send me a picture to mocklidesigns@gmail.com and they will be featured on Facebook!

***UPDATE ON CHEAP CHIC GIVEAWAY***

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