| There is no indulgence quite as luxurious as a | | | | fabric. In linens thread count ranges from 80 to 700, |
| comfortable bed with fine quality bedding. Bedding sets | | | | although most sheets sold commercially are in the |
| with smooth-as-silk cotton sheets, a plush duvet, and | | | | range of 180 to 320. The higher the thread count, the |
| plenty of pillows to suit your taste make the hours | | | | softer and silkier the sheets feel. Sheets with higher |
| spent in bed a total pleasure. When it comes to | | | | thread counts are usually more expensive as well. But |
| outfitting your bed, you have many choices. | | | | be aware, some manufacturers make questionable |
| Duvets go back at least 250 years to Europe, where | | | | claims of higher thread counts. |
| they were filled with the down feathers of the eider | | | | While sheets with a high thread count are typically |
| duck, known for their warmth and lightness. Nowadays | | | | softer, they are not necessarily the most long lasting |
| duvets can be filled with any of a variety of materials, | | | | sheets. Nor is thread count the only thing to consider |
| such as silk, wool, down, feathers, or synthetic | | | | when you buy sheets. The type of fabric and the finish |
| polyester. Unlike comforters, which go on top of | | | | of the fabric make a big difference. Cotton and cotton |
| sheets and blankets, duvets are intended to be used | | | | blend sheets with thread counts between 180 and 200 |
| by themselves. In some cultures, one duvet goes | | | | balance durability with comfort. |
| underneath and one on top. (The bottom duvet is | | | | Let's talk about pillows. What's comfortable for one |
| similar to what we might call a feather bed.) In this way | | | | person may be a nightmare (literally!) to someone else. |
| duvets take the place of sheets, blankets, and | | | | But there are enough different kinds of pillows on the |
| quilts--simplifying bed making. | | | | market to please just about everyone. Here's a list of |
| A quilt is different from a duvet, although the terms | | | | some of the materials that can fill pillows: buckwheat, |
| may be used interchangeably in Britain. A quilt consists | | | | down, latex, feathers, memory foam, micro denier fiber, |
| of two pieces of fabric with batting in between them, | | | | and polyester. Pillows range from very soft to quite |
| all sewn together through a technique called quilting. | | | | hard. Stories abound about people who suffered from |
| Traditional quilters used calico, which is a type of muslin. | | | | relentless insomnia until they found the right pillow. |
| A patchwork quilt consists of pieces of fabric sewn | | | | Luxurious bedding sets can transform an ordinary |
| together randomly (called a crazy quilt) or in a pattern. | | | | bedroom into the sanctuary of your dreams. Never |
| Quilts are often very colorful. | | | | underestimate the power of sheets, blankets, and |
| When it comes to sheets, you need to consider thread | | | | pillows to increase the depth and comfort of your |
| count. What exactly is thread count? It's the number of | | | | sleep, allowing you to wake up rested, refreshed, and |
| vertical and horizontal threads in a square inch of | | | | ready to take on the day. |