Bedding - Shop, Purchase, Buy Online

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a duvet and a comforter, why people use a bed skirt, and what exactly are boudoir pillows? These things all belong to the same category: bedding. Bedding is used to cover the mattress, box spring and pillows of a bed, providing warmth and comfort. It is also often used as part of home décor.

There are a number of bedding sizes available, all of which are tailored to fit standard bed sizes. Bed sizes also vary from country to country, so make sure you know your correct bed size before you shop for bedding!

Here is a list of terminology that will help clear up some questions you may have about bedding:

• Bed skirt (also bed ruffle, dust ruffle or valance): A decorative piece used to cover the boxspring and legs of the bed. It fits between the mattress and boxspring and hangs to the floor.
• Bed spread: A bed cover with sides that go to the floor. This does not require a bed skirt.
• Blanket: a type of bedding intended to keep the user warm, distinguished from sheets by thickness and purpose.
• Boudoir pillows (or breakfast pillows): Small rectangular decorative throw pillows.
• Comforter: A warm blanket, usually quilted, that is used to cover the bed . The terms comforter and bed spread are often used interchangeably, however a bed spread is wider than a comforter. Comforters are typically combined with a bed skirt, whereas bed spreads hang all the way to the floor.
• Drop: The length of a bed skirt.
• Duvet: A duvet is a special type of comforter that has a removable decorative cover, making it easier to clean. Duvets are often down-filled, and warmer than a comforter.
• Duvet cover: A decorative and protective covering for a duvet. Most duvet covers have a button or tie closure at one end.
• European sham (or Euro sham): A decorative pillow covering which fits a large 26” x 26” pillow. These are often placed behind the standard size pillow shams as a backdrop for all of the other pillows.
• Flanged: Including a decorative band of fabric that is straight or tailored; often used to describe pillows or pillow shams.
• Hotel bedding: Sheets with a high-thread count, to emulate the high quality bedding materials that hotels use. Often in neutral colors. Hotels often use high-quality bedding materials to maximize comfort for their customers.
• Neckroll: Small cylindrical decorative throw pillows.
• Pillow cases and shams - Pillow cases are made of the same material as the sheets and are used to cover and protect the pillows. Some people choose to use coverings, called pillow shams, on a second set of pillows for decorative purposes. Pillow shams are generally not slept on.
• Pleated: Sewn in folds like a fan.
• Sheets - Sheets are used to cover and protect the bed mattress. There are often two main sheets in a set of bedding: the fitted, or bottom sheet and the flat, or top sheet. The fitted sheet has elastics at the corners and fits tightly to the mattress. The flat sheet is, as it name suggests, flat, and is placed on top of the fitted sheet, often tucked unde the bottom of the mattress. A person sleeps between the two sheets.
• Tailored: Fitted closely, i.e. made to fit the bed exactly.
• Thread count: The number of thread ends per square inch in a woven fabric. High thread count could indicate a more luxurious feel of a fabric but not necessarily better quality since higher thread count also means that individual threads are thinner and may not wear as well. For good wear and to get the softest feel, it is wise to choose a thread count above 250, or between 200 and 300, but no lower than 175. Carefully analyze thread counts above 600 to assure protection from overspending.

Once you’ve determined your bed size, you can browse your local bedding store or shop online for the right materials, patterns or colours. Whether you are looking for something to keep you warm at night or the finishing touch to your bedroom décor, the perfect bedding is waiting for you!

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedding; ehow.com
Photo credit: neimanmarcus.com