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Sweet dreams: Easy tips for building the comfiest bed ever

Building a comfy bed that will last you years is all about investing in the right sheets, duvets and pillows. Here's how to do it.
CBC Life ·

Investing in your sleep is important! And that means filling your bed with key core pieces, like good quality sheets, pillows and duvets, which will up the coziness factor — and last you for years to come. Here are some tips for selecting and caring for the right bed linens and pillows, so you can drift off to dreamland in style every night. 

Sheets

There are many different makes of sheets that you can invest in, and for the most part, it's all about personal preference. Here are some of the most common kinds:

Cotton

  • Breathable
  • Versatile

Linen

  • Made from flax plant
  • Cool and crisp
  • Very wrinkly (which has now become part of its appeal)

Flannel

  • Seasonal
  • Very warm and cozy

Jersey

  • Soft like a t-shirt
  • Fun for kids
  • Good for cottages

Bamboo

  • Fibres come from bamboo trees
  • Extremely soft and silky 
  • Keeps you cool while sleeping
  • Wrinkles less than most

The thread count myth

People often think that the indicator of good quality sheets is thread count (TC). While it's true that you would never want lower than 200 TC (below that would be considered a muslin, which is very rough), thread count is actually more a matter of personal preference. If you prefer soft, silky, fine sheets, go for a higher thread count. If you like to sleep on linens that are crisp and dense, select ones with a lower thread count. 

How to care for your sheets

Always use a gentle detergent. Put sheets in dryer for only 10-20 minutes and then take them out. Smooth them out while damp, then fold and hang over any kind of rack to finish drying.

Putting your sheets in the hot dryer for a full hour cycle destroys the fibre of the cotton. By using our method instead, you'll avoid having to iron your sheets, and can preserve their lifespan by years. 

Duvets

There are two equally important things to consider when purchasing a new comforter:

Construction

Always check for baffle box construction. Duvets made in this style have stitching that helps to distribute the down filling better, so that it doesn't all clump at the bottom.

Material

Look for a duvet with 100% goose down filling. Goose down is light and airy, plus it adapts to your body's temperature, so it's not too hot in the summer, or too cold in the winter. You can buy different weights according to personal preference. 

Pillows

Always look for pillows that are 100% Canadian white goose down. When it comes to density, you'll be choosing between soft, medium and firm, and it's really about what you prefer to rest your head on while you sleep. Also, make sure to use a pillow protector, so that you can extend the life of your pillows and get years of use out of them. These covers are necessary to protect against dust mites, and help to keep your pillow as hygienic as possible.

Resource guide:

Au Lit Fine Linens

Tonic Living

W studio

  • Area rug