Comforters are intended to keep you warm and are generally large and rectangular in shape, filled with natural or synthetic fiber.

Down comforters combine softness and warmth.  Down come from ducks or geese, but goose down is warmer, fluffier than duck down and will last longer.

Usually Down comforters require dry cleaning that can be expensive overtime.  You should buy a duvet cover to protect your Down comforter.  There are many duvet covers styles to choose from in a variety of fabric and patterns. 

For allergies sufferers, there are Down Alternative comforters that provide the same warmth, are much easier to clean and machine washable.

You can also buy a complete bedding set that include Comforter, matching pillow shams , sheets and decorative pillows for a whole new look in your bedroom.

Vivacious Reds, Pinks, Magentas are the hot tones; Honeysuckle is the official color of 2011 and replaces the turquoise of the 2010.  You will find this color everywhere this spring as it dominates home décor trends.

Honeysuckle is a nice complement to a variety of blues, greens and oranges: pink and red, pink and navy, pink and orange.  Honeysuckle pairs with so many colors. There are many easy ways to incorporate it in your home without spending a lot of money.

Accent pillows will be a nice addition in your living room.  They are affordable in department stores or head to your fabric store and make your own pillows.

Updating your bedroom is easy and affordable with a new duvet cover.  Just slip your old comforter or duvet in a colorful duvet cover with rich tones of Pinks, Honeysuckle.  Match your duvet cover with curtains in Honeysuckle print.  It will transform your bedroom in minutes without breaking your budget.

FABRIC

The type of fabric you select when buying your sheets will make a large impact on your comfort level.  There are different grades of cotton, which is determined by the length of its staple or fiber.  The longer the staple, the more luxurious and durable the grade of cotton.  The most popular choices for bed sheets are Cotton, Flannel, Silks or Satin.

Cotton Sheets are the most popular because of its soft, breathable feel.  In addition to being comfortable, cotton sheets will not wrinkle as much and are moderately priced.

Muslin Cotton being at the low end, has a thread count of up 140, can feel rough to the touch and is generally used for children’s printed bed sheets.

Combed Cotton is cleaned of impurities, and because the shorter fibers are removed, it is typically very soft and smooth to the touch.

Egyptian Cotton is of high quality, providing the softness, most luxurious fabric and feel.

Supima cotton is long fiber cotton that is produced in United States.  This cotton is of high quality and is also very soft and durable.

Flannel sheets are a blend of wool and synthetic material cotton.  These sheets are highly popular for their warmth and are generally used in the cold months, and often in baby bedding.

Silk or Satin sheets are known to be more desirable and luxurious than other bed sheets.  They are silky soft and will keep you from sweating in the summer months.  One downside to satin or silk sheets is they tend to slide off the bed when not properly fitted.

THREAD COUNT EXPLAINED

Thread count is the total number of threads running horizontally and vertically per square inch of fabric.  In general, the higher the thread count, the better quality the sheets are.  For soft and durable sheets, you should look for a high thread count.  For example, a 200 thread count makes a great, durable sheet.  Sheets with a thread count of 300-400 are a bit nicer but still reasonably priced.  A sheet of 400-900 thread count may be more expensive, but will feel wonderfully soft to the touch.  A thread count of 1000 or higher makes for a very soft and smooth sheet, however the finer thread also results in a more fragile fabric, which may not always be ideal.

WHAT DOES “PLY” MEAN?

The terms of “ply” refers to the number of fibers twisted together before it is woven into a fabric.  By twisting two or more fibers together, the thread count of fabric can double or triple.  Some 1000 thread count sheets are actually 250TC 4-ply or 330TC 3-ply.  The rule of thumb is the higher the ply, the heavier and thicker the fabric.  The highest thread count that is woven in a single ply is about 600 thread count.  1000 thread count sheets are typically always 2-ply.

WHAT IS THE WEAVE?

A weave is the interlacing of the thread that creates the texture, look and feel of the sheet.  A standard weave has a pattern of one stitch over, one stitch under.  A percale weave is the most common for bed sheets.  It is closely woven plain-weave fabric and it is noticeably tighter than the standard type of weave used for bed sheets.  It is smooth and crisp to the touch, but has no gloss.  A pinpoint weave is two stitches over and one under, which is not as soft as sateen sheets, but nicer than a standard weave.  A sateen weave (not to be confused with satin), has four stitches over and one under, creating a luster almost like that of satin sheets.  The material is extremely soft, but the sheet is not durable since most threads are on the surface.

THE PERFECT FIT

The thickness of a mattress ranges from standard to pillowtop or even extra deep.  To determine the correct fitted sheets for your mattress, you will need to measure the depth of the pocket ( the distance from the bottom of the mattress to the top, including any pillow top ).  A standard pocket size is 7 to 9 inches, a deep pocket is considered to be 10 to 15 inches, and an extra deep pocket depth measures 15 to 22 inches.

CARING FOR BED SHEETS

Most bed sheets should be washed in cool water, using a gentle wash cycle and avoiding bleach in order to protect your bed linens.  When it comes to detergent, less is more unless the bed sheets are heavily soiled.  Make sure to not over dry your sheets.  Take them out of the dryer as soon as dry and fold them right away to avoid wrinkles.  If your sheets are wrinkled, a tip to removing them is to throw a wet sock or washcloth in the dryer along your bed sheets fro an additional 10 minutes.

 Paint
Painting your bedroom is an inexpensive way to get a whole new look, but choosing the right paint color can be an overwhelming task for some.  The first step is to select a range of colors or color theme.  Some colors have shown to be better at evoking certain emotions or moods.  For example, calming colors are soft colors such as blues, greens, and lavenders in a muted shade.  Pomegranate or topaz hues help set the mood of coziness and comfort.  Deep grays and browns can give a cozy feel that is a bit more modern-like.  Use deep jewel tones to create a romantic but calming feeling.  For a more elegant type of bedroom, opt for tans or off whites, which match very well with some darker colors like maroon, gold, or even black. 

Keep it Simple
A bedroom should look cozy and simple, sophisticated and elegant, regardless of your style.  For ease of movement, you should leave a minimum of 3 ft. between the bed and side walls (or large pieces of furniture), and at least 2 ft. between the bed and low furniture such as tables and dressers.

Furnish your bedroom with only the necessity.  A bed, bedside table(s), a dresser, and perhaps a chair or a bench.  Accessories should be kept to a minimum. Choose a beautiful painting or a piece of artwork, arrange some picture frames, add flowers and candles, and the work is done!

Furniture
Before purchasing your bedroom furniture, take some time to start out with a floor plan and a measured drawing of the space.  You can also use empty boxes or bags to outline comparable size pieces to see how you will feel walking around, or just the overall feeling you get when you enter.  You should choose furniture pieces based on how the space will make you feel, but make sure that you put comfort before anything else.  The temptation to purchase bedroom furniture based on good looks alone could be a major mistake. 

Keep in mind that the size of your furniture should match the size of your bedroom.  Don’t choose a large bed and dresser for a small space.  For a larger-size bedroom, you can add a chair to maximize of the space, or place a piece of furniture at the end of the bed.  Furniture and accessories that are too small for the space will seem lost in a large bedroom.  If the ceiling is high, a tall headboard will help to visibly bring it down to size. 

Indulge in Luxury
There are many factors to consider when choosing bed sheets; comfort, durability and value.  However the best rule of thumb remains the old cliché, “You get what you pay for“.  Nothing adds comfort to a bedroom like beautiful linens so outfit your bedroom with gorgeous and luxurious fabrics.  Buy sheets that are at least 100% cotton or linen with a thread count of 300 or higher.  You should also select bed linen according to the decor of your bedroom; matching combination of print, color, and material. 

Indulge in other fabrics throughout the bedroom with a cashmere or chenille throw at the foot of your bed or on a chair, cover the walls with silk or textured coverings, hang draperies or a silk bed canopy, or add plush floor coverings.

Windows Coverings
A beautifully dressed window is another way to add color, texture and pattern to a bedroom.  If you enjoy the natural light, a sheer curtain will filter the light and add softness to the room.  Combining it with opaque roller blinds will maintain privacy and block the morning sunlight.   

Lighting Options
It is good to layer your lighting throughout the bedroom.  Floor and table lamps will help make the space usefully bright, while bedside lamps with a movable arm will focus reading light where you need it.  Alter your lights with a dimmer control, which lets you adjust the light to suit different moods and tasks.  If you want to add mood lighting without making the room too bright, substitute your bedside or floor lighting with a softer source such as candles or a fireplace.