We all know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep! It usually helps if you have a comfortable bed, with a supportive mattress, and good quality bedding. In this post, I want to share some tips on how I put together my own bedding ensemble that is not only affordable, but also beautiful, and most importantly, comfortable. Read on to find out my bedding choices, and how you can select similar bedding that suits your own unique style.
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Before I share the details of my bedding elements, I want to say a few words about what I look for when I'm shopping for bedding. It's not always easy to find items that are 'perfect' in every way, but I try to maintain one basic rule, which is to buy things that I really like, and not necessarily what is super-trendy or popular right now!
Materials
For me, bedding that looks nice has to go hand-in-hand with bedding that’s comfortable and easy to launder. I prefer cotton to microfiber for bed sheets and duvet covers, mainly because my hubby and I both sleep hot and microfiber tends to be less breathable than cotton (depending on the fabric/make). For quilts, I like both microfiber and cotton, and use them at different times of the year.
Quality
In terms of quality, I look for bedding that is well-made, doesn’t pill, doesn’t shrink (if you follow washing instructions), doesn’t wrinkle much (if taken out of the dryer promptly) and fits my bed (at least nearly perfectly). I know that’s a lot to ask for, but it is possible to find the right combination of pieces that can be versatile, as well as beautiful!
My Bedding Elements and Layering Choices
Bed, Box Spring, and Mattress
I like queen beds! Ours is the Elise bed from Ethan Allen (purchased many years ago). We have the Edgar 8" wood box spring by Zinus, and the 10.5 inch plush hybrid mattress from Wayfair Sleep. This box spring/mattress combination is very comfortable and the right height for our bed.
Box Spring Slipcover
The Zinus box spring comes with a removable/washable cover, which is great. I added a separate box spring wraparound slip-cover in white (clearer photo of slipcover below). This cover slips over the sides of the box spring and is easy to remove and wash. I got this mostly for aesthetic reasons so that my fitted sheet and box spring cover would match in color.
Mattress Protector
The next layer on my bed is my mattress protector. I prefer a thinner type of mattress protector because they are easier to launder. Also, my mattress (euro) top is comfortable enough that I don’t need to have a thick mattress topper.
Sheet Set
I have the 700-thread count sateen sheet set from Pottery Barn. These sheets are extremely comfortable, fit my bed perfectly (both top sheet and fitted sheet), and are easy to launder, if removed promptly from the dryer. I sometimes iron the pillowcases for a crisper look! The quality of this set is outstanding, and in my opinion, excellent value-for-money for a product that meets all my needs, and will last for many years.
Prior to getting this set, I had a set from Threadmill Home Linen on Amazon. These sheets are also very soft and comfortable, however, the flat sheet was slightly too small for my Elise bed, so I am using the set in our guest bedroom (where the flat sheet is a better fit).
Quilt
The blue quilt in the photo is the 90" x 90" Quebec Queen-size quilt by Madison Park. I have this quilt in four different colors (white, blue, navy blue, and cream). I use them interchangeably in different rooms throughout the year. These pretty microfiber quilts are well-made, launder well, and are very comfortable year-round. I also have a Pottery Barn stonewashed cotton pick-stitch quilt and matching euro shams (you can see the shams in the above photo) in Sky Blue. I use the quilt during the winter months when it is a little cooler.
Duvet Cover
The duvet cover is a discontinued pattern from Pottery Barn that I found on eBay. The pattern is called Sydney Palampore. The pattern and colors of this duvet cover are absolutely gorgeous. I also have another duvet cover in Paige Palampore, also from eBay. Until recently, I didn’t know about the Pottery Barn Palampore bedding. The quality of these cotton percale duvet covers, even though some of them are pre-owned, is outstanding. When buying from eBay, I always try to buy from sellers that have a good customer rating, and also to read the descriptions of the items very carefully. Here is a link to a Sydney Palampore Queen-size duvet cover (without standard shams) and to Paige Palampore Queen-size duvet cover and 2 standard shams. I am linking to 'Buy it Now' items in this post, however, if these are no longer available, try searching on eBay for "Pottery Barn Palampore Duvet Cover" and you may find additional patterns that you prefer. Sometimes you have to look for shams separately to complete a set!
Duvet Insert
My down-alternative duvet insert is from Amazon’s ‘Pinzon’ brand. This is a medium-weight, all season duvet insert, and having used it for the past 6 months, I find it very comfortable, a nice weight and great quality construction. And, it fits my Pottery Barn duvet cover perfectly.
Euro Shams and Throw Pillows
I think of euro shams and throw pillows as the ‘icing on the cake’ that completes the look for a beautiful bedding ensemble. I use them for decorative purposes and remove for sleeping. These 28" x 28" Acanva euro pillow inserts are just the right size for my Pottery Barn euro shams. I have the Acanva pillow inserts in other sizes for some of my smaller throw pillows. I also found this beautiful 20" x 20" ivory boucle throw pillow cover on Amazon, and paired it with a Pillowflex insert one size larger (21" x 21") than the cover. The Pillowflex inserts are really soft and Karate-choppable! The teal throw pillow is from Pier One (unfortunately no longer available). Here is a teal velvet 18" x 18" pillow cover that I found on Amazon!
Tea Tray and Cozy Throw
Last but not least, there is nothing nicer than having a lovely cup of English breakfast tea in bed! The beautiful gold mirrored tray in the photo is very versatile and can be used in any number of settings. Here is another similar gold tray that is slightly larger. The chunky off-white throw from IKEA is not only truly soft and cozy, but it also adds warmth and texture to the whole bedding ensemble. The teapot, tea cup and saucer in the photo are from a range of dinnerware called 'Country Vine' purchased from British Home Stores in the United Kingdom many years ago. This beautiful china is still available on eBay (please be aware of much higher shipping costs if buying from UK sellers). Replacements.com in the US may also carry some items in the 'Country Vine' dinnerware range.
Product List
Kate and Laurel Lipton gold mirrored tray (currently unavailable)