Materials influence the look and feel of the bedding, as well as how you care for it, and how well it lasts. These are some of the main materials used in bedding:

• Polyester
  This is a synthetic material, which is highly durable, and less susceptible to wear and tear from daily use, and repeated washing than natural fabrics. Polyester is easy to care for, wrinkle-resistant, and dries quickly; however the fabric tends to pill, and does not become softer with time.
• Cotton
  Considered to be the best textile for bedding, cotton fabric is highly influenced by thread count. Cotton bedding tends to keep one warm in the winter and cool in the summer; it does not pill; and cotton bedding gets softer and more comfortable with time. However, cotton bedding may shrink or tear with time, and is susceptible to wrinkling. Egyptian Cotton is the highest available quality, and is distinguished by the long fibres, which produce a soft, luxurious feel.
• Silk
  Silk bedding can be glamorous and luxurious, if you pay careful attention to your selection. Charmeuse Silk, Tussah Silk, and Habotai Silk are all used to produce sheets, with Charmeuse Silk providing the highest quality. Silk quality is measured by Momme Weight, and the ideal for sheets falls between 16 and 21mm.
• Linen
  This is a heavier fabric, which gets softer with use, and remains breathable and fresh, easily regulating airflow around the body during sleep. Due to the hollow flax fibres which make up linen, this bedding is able to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, and quality is measured by fabric weight, rather than thread count.
• Blended
  Blends of polyester and cotton are commonly found in bedding. Blends are able to withstand repeated washing, whilst retaining their quality. They do not need ironing, and are soft and comfortable, if the composition is not more than 10% polyester.

Our first instinct is often to believe that the higher the thread count, the better the fabric, but is that necessarily true?

Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric. This is based on the number of vertical and horizontal threads, as well as extra threads called “picks”, which are woven in between the horizontal threads. These picks often up the thread count, without improving the quality. Good quality sheets can have a thread count ranging from 200 to 800. Our choices are endless, as we stock everything between budget-friendly 200 thread counts, all the way up to luxury, hotel-quality 1000 thread counts. Although high thread counts can feel softer, this should not be the only consideration when purchasing new bedding.

• Plain
  Plain bedding is simple, restful, and easy on the eye. It can also be mixed and matched easily, and dressed up or down depending on our preferences, and choices in accessories. You should aim to choose your main colour based on your preferences, and then add lighter and darker shades of the same colour, to keep the bed from looking dull or uninteresting.
• Printed / patterned
  Printed bedding can add interest and a focal point to a room, and allow you to easily personalise your bed according to your unique tastes. Patterned bedding allows you to feature accent colours on the bed, and match these to the colours featured throughout the rest of the bedroom. Floral styles are particularly popular for incorporating colours from around the room.
• Jacquard
  Complex patterns are woven into the fabric, enhancing the texture of the fabric, and producing a sheen. This type of weave is often used to create a formal style on coverlets, decorative pillows, and comforters.
• Dobby
  Single colours textures and designs, including stripes and spots, are woven into the fabric. Dobby weave is used to add a decorative element to duvets, pillowcases, and coverlets.

• Percale
  This is a plain weave, in which warp and weft (vertical and horizontal threads) and woven between each other one at a time. This checkerboard style weave produces a very strong fabric, and tightly woven threads create a crisp and fine matte finish.
• Sateen
  In this style of weaving, warp and weft threads are interwoven with filling threads, resulting in a smooth, lustrous look and feel. The sheets with the highest thread counts are usually constructed with a sateen weave.

Fitted sheets are an essential, not only for protecting your mattress from wear and tear, but also for providing a comfortable night’s sleep. You can choose your fitted sheet on the basis of thread count, or based on whether you prefer a lighter or heavier sheet for the specific season.

Ensure that the sheet fits your mattress by assessing the dimensions you require. Also remember that fitted sheets can potentially shrink slightly after the first wash. If you are planning to use a mattress topper, you should factor this in when measuring for your fitted sheets, as toppers can add extra height to the mattress.

Size Guide	Width (cm)	Length (cm)
Single	90	200
Double	140	190
King	160	200
Super King	200	200

Similar to fitted sheets, flat sheets affect the look and feel of your bed, and can be chosen with a range of factors in mind. The main purpose of a flat sheet is to provide a barrier between you and your blankets or duvet, and you should choose the weave, thread count, fabric, and size that suits you.

Size Guide	Width (cm)	Length (cm)
Single	180	260
Double	220	260
King	265	275
Super King	280	290

• Quilts
  A combination of different layers of fabric, stitched together and filled with cotton or fibre. These are the heaviest of the three options, and are often used to stay warm in winter. The stitching can be done in different ways, to create varying styles and patterns.
• Blankets
  Also used to stay warm, blankets are composed of a single layer of woollen material, usually thicker than a sheet, but thinner than a quilt.
• Duvets
  Duvets are filled with feathers, wool, or fibre, and generally requires a cover. The cover can easily be removed and laundered, and is ideal if you plan on changing your bedroom décor often, or varying your style with the seasons.
• Comforters
  These differ from quilts in terms of fabric, patterns, and stuffing. Comforters are usually filled with materials including down, wool, silk, or polyester batting. These are easy to wash, and the cover is not a separate entity to the filling, as is the case with duvets.
• Coverlet
  A coverlet is a decorative fabric, which covers the bed. It usually does not touch the floor, or cover the pillows. This lightweight covering can be either quilted or woven, and even the simplest design can add something special to the bed.

  Size Guide	Width (cm)	Length (cm)
  Single	135	200
  Double	200	200
  King	225	220
  Super King	260	230

Down is a layer of soft feathers found on ducks, and is one of the best insulators against the cold. Duck feathers are light and soft, and offer a luxurious feeling.

This is a synthetic, man-made material, consisting of hollow strands which trap air, and create warmth. Hollowfibre duvets are anti-allergenic, and can easily be machine-washed, making them a practical choice.

Microfibre is a synthetic material, which offers down-like softness. This material is durable and anti-allergenic, and most of these pillows can be machine-washed.

• Side Sleeper
  A firm pillow is best if you sleep on your side, as your head and neck stay in a higher position, and a firm pillow ensures that the head remains correctly aligned with the spine.
• Back Sleeper
  A medium support pillow conforms to the natural curve of your neck and back, and gently supports you head to maintain comfort all night.
• Stomach Sleeper
  A soft pillow is best for this sleeping configuration, as it allows your neck to rest in a lower position, avoiding strain.

• Feather & Down
  Feather and down pillows offer soft and gentle support, and conform easily to the nature shape of the body. Down pillows are the most luxurious of all, and are a true investment.
• Hollowfibre
  This is a synthetic material which offers excellent support, and is a good choice for side sleepers. These pillows are hypo-allergenic, and offer superb value for money.
• Microfibre
  Microfibre is a synthetic material, which offers down-like softness. This material is durable and anti-allergenic, and cam generally be machine-washed.

• Housewife pillowcase
  The standard pillowcase, these are found in most homes, and are highly functional. This type of pillowcase snugly covers the entire pillow, holding it firmly in place. Standard dimensions are 50cm x 70cm.
• Oxford pillowcase
  More elegant and luxurious, these pillowcases have a stitched border or frill around the edge, to add a decorative element. The standard dimensions are the same as the housewife pillowcase, with an additional 5cm for the border.

• Momme is a Japanese word used as a unit of weight measurement for real silk. Momme, often abbreviated as mm, is defined as the weight in pounds of a piece of fabric sized 45 inches x 100 yards. To put it terms closer to the size of sheets: one momme equates to about 4.340 grams per square meter.

How often you choose to wash your sheets is based on personal preference; however it is suggested that weekly laundering is ideal, and very hot water should be avoided, as it may shrink fibres. You should use a small amount of mild detergent, and avoid using bleach, as this could break down the fibres.

Sheets may be tumble dried, according to their specific care labels, however they should be removed before completely dry, to avoid wrinkles. When possible, sheets should be dried outside in the sun.

Bedding should be stored in a cool, dry place, on a surface lined with acid-free tissue paper. It is suggested that you should always have three sets of bedding: one for the bed, one for the laundry, and one for the closet, and that these sets should be rotated frequently, so that they wear evenly. If possible, try to avoid exposing your bedding to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. You can do this by closing blinds or curtains, or covering your bed with a throw.

Pillows should be washed twice a year, and pillowcases once a month. Printed and coloured pillowcases should be washed inside out, to avoid damage and fading. Most down and synthetic pillows are machine-washable, and a low heat setting on a dryer can be used to re-fluff pillows, and they should be plumped daily when making the bed, to avoid them becoming flat.

Down duvets and comforters do not need very frequent laundering, as this can cause damage. Professional cleaning is recommended, however a front loader and a mild detergent can also be used.

Blankets and quilts can usually be machine-washed, using cool or warm water (not hot), and using a mild detergent. You should allow sufficient time for drying. Quilts may need to be dried flat, to avoid damaging the details

• Innerspring mattresses
  Mattresses with springs are categorised according to the thickness of the metal coils, with 12 being the thickest and firmest, and 18 being the thinnest. Inter-connected coils are the most durable, but individually pocketed coils reduce the ripple effect if you sleep next to a partner. These mattresses usually have a fibre or foam outer layer, which is covered in quilted ticking. It is often best to choose a firm mattress of this kind.
• Memory foam mattresses
  These mattresses are more firm, and do not have much spring. The layer of foam can range from 2 to 6 inches thick, and 5 pounds per cubic inch of density is considered to be the best quality.
• Hybrid mattresses
  A combination of latex, foam, coils, and / or other materials, these mattresses are designed to capitalize on the benefits of each different material. These mattresses tend to be able to provide excellent bounce, comfort, and support at the same time.

• Side sleeper
  You will need pressure relief, which means that an innerspring mattress is often preferable to a foam or latex mattress.
• Stomach sleeper
  A firm top surface provides the best support for this sleeping position, with a dense innerspring, air-filled, or latex mattress being ideal.
• Back sleeper
  A comfortable mattress which is supportive but also allows your spine to stay correctly aligned. A wide variety of mattress types may be suitable, depending on your preferences.
• Body weight
  Sleepers with a lower body weight will feel the top layers of the mattress more than lower layers, due to the fact that they exert less pressure on the mattress. Light people tend to prefer a softer mattress, whereas heavier sleepers require some extra support in order to remain comfortable, so a firmer mattress is recommended.

• Platform
  This type of base offers a durable, firm feel, and is made as a match to the mattress.
• Spring
  The spring base acts as a shock absorber, and provides essential support to the mattress, resulting in a luxurious sleeping experience.

Your mattress should be turned at least 4 times a year, in order to maintain even wearing. If you mattress does not need turning, you may be able to rotate it. You bed should be stripped regularly to air the mattress. Ideally, remove your bedclothes for a few minutes every morning to allow moisture to evaporate. You should never allow your mattress to get wet, nor use any kind of dry-cleaning fluid on it. A very mild detergent can be used to remove stains, and both the mattress and base should be vacuumed occasionally in order to prevent build-up of dust. A good mattress cover should be used to protect your mattress from wear and tear, as well as stains.