Decorating
10 Reasons Why You Should Update Your Bed Linen
Are you stuck in a duvet cover rut? Give your linens a fresh makeover and transform your bedroom in the process
Investing in new bed linen makes sense in so many ways. It’s a relatively cheap and easy way to spruce up your bedroom, as introducing a new duvet cover or throw can completely transform its look, plus feeling comfortable and happy in your bed could also help you sleep better. Too many of us are living with scratchy, grey-white, threadbare sheets that have seen better days. So take the plunge and give your linens a stylish refresh – it’s bound to boost your mood in the mornings.
Experiment with colour
A chic duvet cover in a bold colour is a low-risk – and low-cost – way to totally transform the look and feel of your bedroom. And if you decide you don’t like it, you can simply take it off (unlike, say, painting a wall). It also means the other elements in the room can be kept fairly simple. This gold-coloured duvet instantly lifts and warms the elegant, pared-back space.
Why not invest in a handful of different-coloured duvets and change them to suit your mood?
A chic duvet cover in a bold colour is a low-risk – and low-cost – way to totally transform the look and feel of your bedroom. And if you decide you don’t like it, you can simply take it off (unlike, say, painting a wall). It also means the other elements in the room can be kept fairly simple. This gold-coloured duvet instantly lifts and warms the elegant, pared-back space.
Why not invest in a handful of different-coloured duvets and change them to suit your mood?
Tap into on-trend pink
Think pink in the bedroom is only for five-year-old princesses? Think again. Soft rose shades are popular at the moment, and look fresh and airy when used on pillowcases, blankets and duvet covers.
Here, the wide stripe and dusty shade keeps the look chic and contemporary. Pink also works well with grey walls, which can be a wonderfully soothing shade for a sleep space.
Tempted by blush pink? Learn more about this fresh new neutral
Think pink in the bedroom is only for five-year-old princesses? Think again. Soft rose shades are popular at the moment, and look fresh and airy when used on pillowcases, blankets and duvet covers.
Here, the wide stripe and dusty shade keeps the look chic and contemporary. Pink also works well with grey walls, which can be a wonderfully soothing shade for a sleep space.
Tempted by blush pink? Learn more about this fresh new neutral
Wake up feeling refreshed
Research shows we sleep better when our bedrooms are comfortable and clean. The best bedrooms are those in which we love to relax and unwind – and your bed linen plays a key part in this. Choose a duvet cover design you love, so your bed becomes a soothing haven. This simple striped set is wonderfully airy and inviting.
Research shows we sleep better when our bedrooms are comfortable and clean. The best bedrooms are those in which we love to relax and unwind – and your bed linen plays a key part in this. Choose a duvet cover design you love, so your bed becomes a soothing haven. This simple striped set is wonderfully airy and inviting.
Choose classic cotton
Crisp white cotton sheets with a high thread count are one of life’s simple pleasures. They don’t have to cost the earth, either, as you can shop for bargains online.
For a luxurious feel, look for linens with a thread count above 200, which means there are 200 threads per square inch of fabric. Choose a percale weave if you prefer a crisper feel, or opt for sateen if you like it to be smooth. Egyptian cottons tend to be of the highest quality.
In this soothing sleep space, the pale blue throw, wallpaper and headboard make an uplifting yet subtle contrast to the classic white bed linen. The crisp Oxford pillowcases with fabric border and stitching create a luxurious hotel feel.
Crisp white cotton sheets with a high thread count are one of life’s simple pleasures. They don’t have to cost the earth, either, as you can shop for bargains online.
For a luxurious feel, look for linens with a thread count above 200, which means there are 200 threads per square inch of fabric. Choose a percale weave if you prefer a crisper feel, or opt for sateen if you like it to be smooth. Egyptian cottons tend to be of the highest quality.
In this soothing sleep space, the pale blue throw, wallpaper and headboard make an uplifting yet subtle contrast to the classic white bed linen. The crisp Oxford pillowcases with fabric border and stitching create a luxurious hotel feel.
Follow design trends
Duvet covers tend to reflect the fashions and obsessions of our times (you’re not the only one to be scarred by memories of previous bad duvet covers). However, if you can navigate your way past the acres of Frozen/superhero sets and naff florals, you’ll discover a world of tasteful, contemporary designs.
There are lots of lovely modern botanical fabrics around right now and this smart grey fern print is the perfect way to bring it into the bedroom. This space artfully pulls off a modern ‘living room’ feel, thanks to the display shelves and houseplants, but the duvet cover is the real star.
Duvet covers tend to reflect the fashions and obsessions of our times (you’re not the only one to be scarred by memories of previous bad duvet covers). However, if you can navigate your way past the acres of Frozen/superhero sets and naff florals, you’ll discover a world of tasteful, contemporary designs.
There are lots of lovely modern botanical fabrics around right now and this smart grey fern print is the perfect way to bring it into the bedroom. This space artfully pulls off a modern ‘living room’ feel, thanks to the display shelves and houseplants, but the duvet cover is the real star.
Make an impact in a small bedroom
If you have a tiny room, you won’t have much space for lots of accessories or style details, but one eye-catching duvet can make all the difference. In this simple, compact space, the bold geometric cover adds a maximum dose of retro style, but with minimum effort. Sorted.
If you have a tiny room, you won’t have much space for lots of accessories or style details, but one eye-catching duvet can make all the difference. In this simple, compact space, the bold geometric cover adds a maximum dose of retro style, but with minimum effort. Sorted.
Be romantic
Banish all thoughts of chintzy eiderdowns in bad B&Bs – a great floral throw will never go out of fashion. If you’ve always lusted after beautiful French-style throws and quilts, indulge yourself, as it’s a quick and easy way to add some old-fashioned romance to your sleep space. This classic black and white print is pretty without being twee.
Banish all thoughts of chintzy eiderdowns in bad B&Bs – a great floral throw will never go out of fashion. If you’ve always lusted after beautiful French-style throws and quilts, indulge yourself, as it’s a quick and easy way to add some old-fashioned romance to your sleep space. This classic black and white print is pretty without being twee.
Create a dream retreat
The way you dress and layer up your bed is crucial for creating a luxurious boutique hotel feel – and it could be as simple as buying a couple of toning cushions and turning back your quilt.
This inviting bedroom copies many of the tricks used by hotels to create a luxe look, including a cluster of pillows in contrasting textures, a folded duvet and a classic quilted bedspread.
The way you dress and layer up your bed is crucial for creating a luxurious boutique hotel feel – and it could be as simple as buying a couple of toning cushions and turning back your quilt.
This inviting bedroom copies many of the tricks used by hotels to create a luxe look, including a cluster of pillows in contrasting textures, a folded duvet and a classic quilted bedspread.
Splash out on silk
It may not be cheap, but if you suffer from allergies, natural silk bed linen is a luxurious but also a practical choice. It’s naturally hypoallergenic and can help you feel cool, which is handy if you tend to overheat at night.
Using a silk pillowcase is also thought to help prevent wrinkles, according to beauty experts. And, of course, it looks and feels beautiful.
TELL US…
How have you styled your bed? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
It may not be cheap, but if you suffer from allergies, natural silk bed linen is a luxurious but also a practical choice. It’s naturally hypoallergenic and can help you feel cool, which is handy if you tend to overheat at night.
Using a silk pillowcase is also thought to help prevent wrinkles, according to beauty experts. And, of course, it looks and feels beautiful.
TELL US…
How have you styled your bed? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
For many of us, all-white bed linen is the default choice. But if you’re ready to dip your toe into the world of pattern, changing your bed linen is an easy way to do it.
Here, the pillowcases, quilt and cushions add a touch of pattern, which is toned down by the white flat sheet, plain pillows and turned-back duvet. The chic, soft blue-grey palette keeps the mood calm and serene.
Want the perfect bedding? Get expert advice on choosing a duvet and pillows