With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I thought this would be a great time to write about how to make a bedroom more “dreamy” for you, a Mom, wife, grandmother or any special person in your life who deserves a great night of sleep and a cozy retreat to curl up and read a book.
First, think about luxurious bedrooms like the ones shown here that you would typically see in 5 Star hotels. What is it about them that is so enticing?
The common items are plush comforters, layers of pillows, soft colors and a variety of textures within the fabrics.
If we start with the base of bedding, we are talking about the mattress. There are a wide variety of options out there if you are in the market to change your bed set up completely. For the purposes of this blog, I’m going to focus on the individual fabric pieces that create the bedding layers above the mattress.
There are a variety of mattress toppers that can add a cushy layer under the sheets.
Here are 3 of the top options:
- Memory Foam – the thicker the foam, the more comfortable it will be. There are also versions that adjust to your temperature for a comfortable night’s sleep.
- Feather Bed – A down/feather-filled shell. They come in various thicknesses and are likened to “sleeping on a cloud”. One version offers down on one side to provide warmth in the cold months and a cotton filler (Tencel) on the flip side for the summertime. (Click here for more info)
- Allergy sensitive – Fiber-filled option that is Allergy/Asthma friendly for those who struggle with either. They are also available in a variety of lofts.
The next layer is the set of sheets. Sheets are sold in all types of fabrics like cotton, jersey, flannel and even microfiber fleece. They are categorized by thread count and fabric type. Thread count is the number of stitches within a 1 inch square area. This can vary drastically by the type of fabric (or yarn) that is used to construct the sheet. A thin yarn would create a higher thread count but have the potential for wearing quickly. For more information, CLICK HERE to get more detailed information on sheet fabric selection from Linen Place. If you are on a limited budget and want to get the feel of a luxury bed, go for a new cotton sheet set that is made with Egyptian or Pima/Supima Cotton in the highest thread count possible. This is the layer that will envelope you (or your loved one) every night and will make the biggest impact.
Sandwiched between the sheets and comforter/quilt top are the blankets. With all the available colors and textures available, you can really have fun coordinating within this layer. Look how fun layering can be:
Layered Bedding Collections from West Elm
Pillows are a huge part of creating a comforting retreat that beckons you in for immediate relaxation. Adding a layer or two to your existing pillow set up can make all the difference. If the pillows being used now are great functionally, purchase some fillers to be used decoratively with shams or colorful pillow cases that coordinate with the rest of the bedding you incorporate. Smaller, decor pillows are also available in many home stores and are sometimes included in bedding sets (16-20 piece options).
The “topper” to the bedding ensemble is the comforter, quilt or duvet. The comforter and quilt are similar in that they are typically coverlets which only cover the mattress top & sides of top mattress, and are constructed of fabric on the top and bottom with a filler in the middle with stitching through all layers. The filling may be polyester, in the form of batting, or wool or down feathers.
A duvet is a comforter is usually filled with down and have a removable cover that can be washed when needed. When choosing a down comforter, you’ll want to consider the following:
1. The filling is made from the soft, downy duck & geese feathers because they provide an amazing amount of warmth. Look for the “fill power” which refers to the quality of the down. Like thread counts, if the number is higher, so is the quality.
2. Some down fill goes through an intensive washing process to rid the feathers of dust/dirt. They are then considered “allergen free” and coupled with a duvet cover, could be a good alternative to a standard down comforter.
3. There are also synthetic alternatives used in place of the down feathers that mimic the real thing.
4. Keep the fabric quality in mind as you are shopping for a high quality comforter. Refer to the discussion about sheets within this article for more information.
5. Down comforters require special washing while most synthetic options can be machine washed and dried.
Breakfast in Bed
After you get the new bedding together, wash what you can with mild detergent (with a great scent such as lavender) and use fabric softener for the softest touch possible. Make up the bed with sheets, blankets, comforter and layer the pillows in an upright position.
For some great finishing touches, try one (or all) of the following:
- Lay a soft bathrobe on the bed with slippers below.
- Include a new book or magazine for your special someone sit back and relax with.
- Add a flash of texture and interest with a throw blanket.
The only thing left is “breakfast in bed”. An easy, Bed & Breakfast menu is a beautiful dish of assorted fresh fruit with scones and Mom’s favorite morning drink (coffee, tea, juice).
As a fun complement to this BLOG, we’ve included our favorite scone recipe on our Facebook page. Click HERE to get your FREE copy to treat the special people in your life. Enjoy!!
Parker House Designs 