After a long and tiresome day, which can often be unpredictable and full of stress, the one thing that is guaranteed to make us feel better is climbing into bed at night. Nothing can beat a set of clean sheets and a fresh duvet cover.
However, when it comes to buying new bed linen, several of us will simply buy a cheap and fairly ordinary option. When it comes to our sheets and duvet covers, it is important to choose a style that complements the bedroom, perfectly fits the comforter and makes your bed as cosy as possible. Here is a buying guide.
Colour and style
Although the main purpose of a duvet cover is to protect the comforter, it can also transform and dramatically change how a bedroom looks. With the bed as the room’s focal point, a cover can either complement the walls and curtain colour, or be a stark contrast to the overall style.
If your bedroom has simple and plain walls with neutral colours, a patterned duvet cover will create a more enticing environment. In contrast, if you have a feature wall with wallpaper or decorative decals, a plain duvet cover will prevent the room looking too busy.
It is also possible to add some designer chic to your bedroom. Well-known designers like Cath Kidston and Orla Kiely have transferred their distinctive fashion traits from the high street to duvet covers.
Fabric
Each duvet cover will have a certain thread count, which refers to the number of threads in each square inch of fabric. Smooth and soft fabric will have a higher thread count, with the best quality material feeling almost like silk. Standard cotton bed linen will be around 100-thread count, while quality duvet covers will start at 200.
Almost all duvet covers will be made of cotton and quality can be based on their thread count. Polycotton is a cheaper yet excellent alternative made from a polyester and cotton mix. Egyptian cotton is one of the best materials you can buy and will guarantee a warm, soft and enticing bedspread. The cotton, as its name suggests, is grown along the Nile River Valley in Egypt where humid conditions and rich soil result in extra long fibres that can be spun into very fine yarns.
Size
As you can probably guess, it is vitally important to get the right size duvet cover. Too small and you’ll struggle to get your duvet to fit, too big and you’ll end up with a lot of excess material. Although sizes are standard, it is a good idea to measure your existing duvet or comforter and compare this with the advertised dimensions.
If you’re looking to change your entire bedspread, buying an oversized duvet and matching cover will present you with an even more inviting bed at the end of the day.
