Cozy up for winter: Steven Sabados' guide to creating the most luxe bed at home
Because the place you spend ⅓ of your day deserves the royal treatment
Building the perfect cozy bed is basically the dream—but it's a little easier said than done. There are pillows, throws, and colour schemes to consider—and what does thread count even mean? That's why Steven Sabados stepped in to help ease your worries with info and tips you should have handy when you're planning your dream bed. Here are the essential components of creating a bed that's as comfy as can be.
Headboard
Steven upholstered the headboard with navy velvet to complement the navy found throughout the bed. The headboard is also a structural support for the bed. You may find yourself leaning against it at night to read a book, so make sure it's not an overlooked element.
Pillows
Buying a great down pillow is entirely worth the investment. Down adapts best to body temperature and helps to keep you cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. The pillows firmness is based on the amount of feathers inside. There are a few different options to consider depending on your sleep style. If you're a stomach sleeper you'll want a soft pillow whereas medium firmness pillows are great for back sleepers and firm pillows are ideal for side sleepers.
To dress your bed with plentyof pillows and add a little luxury, start with a good sleeper pillow. This practical type of pillow should go against the headboard. This is the pillow you'll be sleeping on and it will likely get wrinkled. Next, add large shams, which are decorative pillows that help to hide the sleeper pillow that you're using every night.
Decorative pillows are the easiest way to add depth, texture and pattern to your bed. This luxurious touch helps to tie together other elements in the room and create a cohesive design. Mix textures, prints and embellishments to keep your bed from looking dull. Look for small details like buttons, exposed zippers, piping along the edges or metallic foiling which can all add in a layer of sophistication to your styling. These pillows aren't meant to be slept on either. Instead, they add colour and texture and help to anchor the space. Like the sham, they're also great for comfort when reading or watching TV in bed.
If your body temperature tends to rise while you sleep, you'll want to protect your pillows and mattress. You can buy protectors that slip over your pillows and feather tops that can be pulled off and washed regularly.
Bedding
If your mattress needs just a little extra boost, try a feather bed pad. The pad simply sits on top of your mattress and is filled with feathers. They're very comfortable, can help with temperature control, and can help give your bed a full and luxurious look
Fitted sheet and flat sheet
Sheets are definitely something worth splurging on. You spend a huge chunk of your time in these sheets, so you'll want to make sure you get the right ones. Steven recommends keeping them neutral and incorporating colour and texture in the top layers of your bedding. Make sure you know the depth of your mattress and featherbed when going in to buy your sheets. If you're going to splurge on your sheets you might as well make sure they fit perfectly!
A great sheet consists of a couple of things—a great cotton, and a high thread count. Egyptian cotton is considered one of the best and softest materials for sheets because the length of the fibre makes it possible to make the finest of yarns without sacrificing the strength of the yarn. The strength of the fibre makes fabrics more solid and more resistant to stress, and its ability to absorb liquids gives fabrics made of Egyptian cotton deeper, brighter and more resistant colours.
A common term when it comes to talking about bedding, thread count refers to the number of threads in each square inch. The higher the thread count, the softer the material. You'll want a thread count higher than 200, but don't look at the thread count alone. Although it will determine how crisp or soft the linen will be, the best bedding for you is all based on personal preference.
Duvet and cover
It's best to start with the duvet, because the colours contained within it will determine what colour scheme will work for the entire bed and even the whole room. Similar to your pillow, you'll want a down-filled duvet. And make sure you're duvet has a baffle box down design, meaning that the down is sewn into squares. This will prevent the down from clumping up.
Coverlet
Steven added a coverlet to this bed as a mid layer. It has a nice texture and the colour pairs nicely with the duvet cover on top. This can also be a quilt or plush blanket. Something quilted or textured is best for a more luxurious look, but no matter what, the coverlet will be useful for warmer days when a duvet is too heavy.
Throw
Throws are a great styling device for beds—and an easy way to incorporate some texture and colour. Plus, they can be switched out seasonally. As pictured, this navy one contrasts so well with the other light colours on the bed and pulls from the headboard tying everything together nicely. Incorporating a darker colour at the end of our bed gives depth to both ends of the bed—and some added coziness.
Bed skirt
Depending on the structure of your bed, you may need a bed skirt to hide your metal bed frame and box spring. Measurements are key here. You'll need to know the depth of your bedspring and the height of your bed frame in order to buy one that's the right length. To keep the style in line with the rest of your decor, opt for one that's straight and neutral—no frills needed!
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