Not just washing your bedding though, a deep clean involves everything from decluttering to dusting, and reorganising. To help with knowing where to start, we spoke to cleaning expert at Housekeep, Henry Paterson. As the UK’s leading home cleaning service, they’re a trusted provider for home cleaning. Henry’s personal mantra? ‘A spring clean is all about refreshing your home ahead of the longer and lighter days. It should be super thorough and taken as a chance to tackle odd-jobs too, setting you up for the spring months to come’. Prior to beating the summer heat, follow these tips to spring you into a new bedroom cleaning routine.
1. Start with a deep clean.
As with any clean, Henry advises you should ‘start high and finish low. Dusting the corners, ceilings and light fixtures in the bedroom using a slightly damp microfiber cloth, before working down to ground level - dusting picture frames, mirrors and shelves before your bedroom table and dresser. If you can do so safely, Henry also suggests ‘moving your furniture to remove anything that has fallen behind. Chests of drawers, beds and bedside tables should all be moved so they can be cleared and vacuumed beneath’. Then, finish the deep clean with
a full vacuum of the floors and skirting boards. Mop, if you have hard floors, or use a carpet shampoo to effectively remove stains and restore shine. Additionally, your spring clean is a great excuse to varnish any wooden furniture or touch up any scuffs on the wall with a lick of paint for an entirely refreshed space.
2. Declutter and reorganise
Own any old clothes or unwanted belongings that are cluttering your bedroom? Now’s the time to clear them out. In doing so, Henry suggests sorting them out and separating items that you can donate or sell. ‘Take them to a local charity shop or list online using apps that have made this easier than ever before’.
With the seasons changings, it’s also prime time to pack away your winter coats and clothes you won’t be wearing in the warmer months. Make sure everything is clean before vacuum packing in an airtight bag and into a plastic box with a lid. Though Henry states ‘You should only vacuum pack clothes that can be folded. It’s best not to vacuum pack delicate materials or clothes that are likely to crease.
3. Wash and change your bedding
An essential part of your spring clean is to wash and change your bedding. Though, no need to overcomplicate this, Henry says to ‘strip the bed and launder as you usually would’, taking care with washing and drying according to label instructions.
Changing your bedding for the spring also means swapping it out for a season-friendly set. This includes switching to a summer duvet. A low tog rating such as 4.5 TOG duvet will have a thin, lightweight feel for a sweat-free sleep. Choose cotton percale fabric, to keep you cool and compliment the season’s changeover with pastel coloured bedding like white, sage green or sky blue.
4. How about your mattress?
The importance of cleaning your mattress can often be disregarded. Yet, as a breeding ground for dust, mites and germs, it goes without saying this step shouldn’t be missed. And not as laborious as you might assume, a mattress can be cleaned in just a few key stages. Once you have stripped your bedding, Henry suggests using the ‘upholstery attachment to your vacuum cleaner to vacuum any dust from your mattress, making sure to flip it over to clean both sides’. If there are any stains, spot clean them with an upholstery cleaning spray; directly spray the product, leave for a couple of minutes and blot with a dry cloth.
5. Let in some air
Henry states ‘having fresh air in your home is good for your health and happiness’. Yet it is especially important after using cleaning products in your home. ‘So crack open a window when you’re cleaning (and whenever you can once it’s warm enough!)’.
*These tips were based on suggestions by Henry Paterson from HouseKeep, the UK’s leading home cleaning service.
]]>To help this become a reality, we spoke to three holistic experts for their tips on creating a zen bedroom for cloud-like sleep. Suzanne Roynon is the UK’s leading Interiors Therapist. With focus on designing a space that energetically supports and nurtures its occupants, Suzanne suggests ‘the bedroom is a fantastic place to begin reviewing a home. Quality sleep is vital to wellbeing and the bedroom should feel like a sanctuary from the outside world’. Inbaal Honigman, a psychic expert specialising in colour symbolism also believes in making your sleep environment as resting as possible. Together, with meditation expert Julie Smith, who offers her guide on getting to sleep once the space is set, their advice for the ultimate sleep sanctuary will transport you to a constant state of zen.
As Suzanne states ‘clutter is the enemy of good sleep, relaxation and wellbeing’. Representing all things left incomplete, there’s no way to emotionally relax when there is mess. A cluttered room usually means a jumbled mind. Therefore Suzanne urges you to ‘be ruthless about the stuff kept in the bedroom. And not just clothes. From fitness equipment and technology, to family photos and lots of books, the bedroom isn’t the place for everyday items. In fact, for anything that migrates into your private space, ask yourself ‘do you use it, need it or love it? If not, let it go or move it out’.
More so, Inbaal believes decluttering is necessary for ‘good sleep hygiene’. Anything that stimulates the brain is best kept elsewhere in the home to avoid interference with quality sleep. ‘Piles of paperwork left under or beside the bed for example is often connected with sleep deprivation’, says Suzanne. ‘Instead limit under bed storage to bedding, towels and out-of-season clothes to allow the subconscious to switch off and keep the bedside clear for the best chance of uncomplicated sleep’.
Feng Shui is about the flow of energy throughout a space, dictating furniture placement and the selection of items like mirrors or sharp angled objects. Considering a few Feng Shui principles is essential to optimising your bedroom for sleep. In particular, Suzanne emphasises ‘pair energy’ for harmony and tranquillity. ‘Using symmetry throughout the home in art, decor and furnishings inspires partnership and stability. Matching bedside tables and lamps create an equilibrium, for instance. And always make up a bed for two, even if you sleep alone’.
Suzanne states ‘a supportive headboard is Feng Shui 101. It offers protection and reassurance, making you feel safer for sleep that is deep and meaningful’. But it’s not just about how your bedroom looks, it’s also about how it feels. And a few things feel better than a freshly made bed. ‘From a spiritual perspective, clean bedding is so helpful’ states Inbaal. ‘By allowing ourselves to go to sleep on fresh sheets, we’re showing ourselves that we are secure and cared for’. Even more so, switching to 100% cotton sheets can improve sleep quality. More breathable than artificial fabrics, cotton is kind to the skin and more comfortable to sleep in.
A key rule of zen, for Inbaal and Suzanne, is to keep any techs out of the bed. Inbaal suggests ‘taking your phone into bed, with all the unanswered work emails and messages from friends can turn the bed into a mental battlefield’. Plus, the use of tech before bed disrupts our natural production of the sleep hormone melatonin stimulated by low light levels.
Choosing the right hue is important in any room of the home. But colour is especially key when looking to create a sanctuary. Inbaal explains, ‘The best colours to encourage sleep are the colour of the higher chakras. These are blue and indigos that are associated with restful sleep, deep communication and spirituality. Encourage those energies by including these colours in your bedroom palette to find yourself in the heartiest of slumbers. By comparison, the lower chakra colours of red, orange and yellow should be avoided. They are linked with passion, art and sports; best kept to creative spaces’.
Add an extra element of calm with aroma and essential oils. Inbaal further explains scents such as ‘lavender, chamomile and frankincense traditionally associated with sleep are also associated with self-love, relaxation and spirituality’. Using these smells when we are about to go to bed (especially when you’re struggling to get to and stay asleep) will encourage positive feeling for restful sleep.
After creating your zen bedroom, there’s one last step. Meditation. Research shows practising meditation improves sleep and instils a state of zen by releasing stress, calming an overactive mind and uplifting spirits. Julie recommends using a guided meditation around 15 minutes prior to your regular bed time. ‘Rather than drifting off whilst listening, this ensures you are preparing your mind and body. Once you are ready to sleep, train yourself to know the ‘mediating position’ versus the ‘sleeping position’ by shifting to your side before gently falling into a cloud-like slumber’.
*These tips were based on suggestions by Suzanne Roynon, UK’s leading Interiors Therapist, Inbaal Honigman, Psychic and expert in colour symbolism and Julie Smith, Meditation Expert specialising in burnout and sleep issues.
Read Suzanne's Platinum Award Winning book ‘Welcome Home - How Stuff Makes or Breaks your Relationship’ and visit her website www.interiorstherapy.com for further interior tips.
Follow Inbaal on Instagram @inbaalpsychic for psychic and astrology readings on how to declutter your space.
Download Julie’s guided meditation from her website to experience the full benefit: https://julie-smith.net/sleep_landing_guided-meditation/
]]>We spoke to Deputy Ecommerce Editor Annie Collyer for her tips on making a home harmonious for both. As your homeware shopping expert and dog-mum to snuggly pug, Doug, Annie knows how to furnish a space with style and practicality in mind. From coordinated living spaces to stain resistant fabrics, Annie’s South-London flat is a pet-friendly home for all to enjoy. For tips on home interiors that’ll have tails wagging, we asked:
We’ve always opted for hard floors over carpet, so they’re easy to keep clean and disinfect.
Though the main things we really had to consider were upholstery-related. We made sure our sofa was stain-resistant and our bedroom rug that he often sleeps on top of, is machine washable.
Obviously, we made sure that anything bought for Doug that would be on display, looks nice. Take our Le Creuset pet bowl, for example. This is something that is on show every day of the year, all hours, so it’s important that it matches with the rest of our kitchen design. We also consider toy storage - we have an open seagrass basket for his toys. An open lid basket like this, encourages independent play, although others might opt for a lidded basket as it can look messy.
Some key things we bought after getting Doug include a robot vacuum cleaner, for picking up pet hair so that we needn’t vacuum the house once a day. As well as a mat to sit underneath his bowls to catch food and protect our kitchen floor from water, plus I always now check that blankets and cushions are machine-washable when I buy them.
Each breed is different and their preferences on a shape of bed will depend on how they like to sleep, and whether they like to be cosy in a donut bed or they’d prefer their very own mattress to starfish all night (and day!) long.
Doug has two dog beds in our house, one for the living room and the other for our bedroom as he sleeps on the floor beside us each night. The one in the living room matches our sofa pretty well, so it fits in perfectly, and it’s thick foam with high edges to keep him feeling secure. The one in the bedroom is rounded with a cushion in the middle, it’s a mix of comfort and design. Doug prefers to be cosy whilst sleeping and loves to have somewhere to rest his chin. One of the beds actually looks like a throne! Other than aesthetic and ensuring his bed matches our interiors, it has to be easy to wash.
Of course! He goes everywhere and anywhere that we go. He doesn’t sleep on our bed but he is allowed up there for a pre-bedtime cuddle.
Luckily for us, we’ve never had the issue of muddy paw prints on sheets because Doug isn’t big enough to jump on our bed on his own. However, he can get on the sofa. But our sofa is stain-resistant, so if he does jump up after a wet walk, his prints wipe off with a damp cloth. Otherwise, white vinegar is a pet-friendly game-changer for all types of stains. I also swear by Astonish’s Upholstery Cleaner for removing stains from fabrics. Just keep them away until it dries.
A grey sofa was the best idea we’ve ever had, but a burgundy velvet bed? Not so much. I find myself peeling pet hair off the frame too often. Stray hairs are undeniably a nightmare, but with help from a lint remover (not a roller!) getting rid of dog hairs from furniture is easy - and kinder on the environment. As well as this, we have a handheld vacuum that we use on our bed frame and other furniture. It’s a shame our robot vacuum can’t work its magic on our bed too.
He loves the living room rug. This is a similar colour to Doug’s fur so it doesn’t mean I have to vacuum it every single day. He loves to zoom around our coffee table and push his toys underneath it and contemplate how to get them back. His toys are kept nearby, beside his bed, so they’re easy for him to access. Other than that, he loves to sit and snooze underneath my desk chair when I am working. My chair sits atop a sheepskin rug that he loves to roll around on.
It goes without saying, but don’t leave anything you don’t want destroyed within their reach. We’re lucky that Doug isn’t really destructive, the only thing he ever does chew, is a Croc. But, I know many struggle with dogs chewing wires or furniture, so I’d recommend to be wary and not leave your pet with new furniture immediately. Anything new is so exciting for them, understandably, especially if it’s in one of their favourite places. Other than that, lots of toys, a cosy bed and endless cuddles is enough for Doug.
*These tips were based on suggestions by Annie Collyer, Deputy Ecommerce Editor at Future. You can follow Annie (and Doug) on the decoration of her 2-bed South-London flat on Instagram @athome.withannie.
https://www.homesandgardens.com/author/annie-collyer
https://www.idealhome.co.uk/author/anniecollyer
https://www.gardeningetc.com/author/annie-collyer
]]>Living rooms, staircases and dining room tables are decorating mainstays, yet spreading the same cheer into your bedroom and guest rooms will raise that extra holiday spirit. In fact, adding your bedroom(s) to the holiday to-do-list will ensure you’re surrounded by endless festive feel. Though, it is easy to get carried away. With light-up Christmas trees, seasonal wreaths and festive ornaments of all sizes, decorating without limitation can leave your home overwhelmed in theme. Instead, take advantage of the festive period’s sophistication with straightforward dressing, classic colours and limited layering. Infusing your space with holiday decor can be so much simpler.
We spoke to Rory Robertson, interior designer and stylist, for his advice on getting your home ready for a cliche-free festivity. As a freelance Homes and Interiors Editor for the likes of Living Etc, Homes & Gardens and Financial Times, Rory is an expert in his field. Known for his keen use of colour, attention to detail and appreciation for quality design, who better to ask? Follow these top industry-insider tips on dressing your space for the season and you’re sure to have a home that is stylish and cosy, ready for you and your guests this Christmas.
1. Edit out opulent layering
Whilst it may sound controversial, Rory’s top tip for dressing your bed for the holidays would be to cut out the complexity of traditional styling. Rory states, ‘this ‘look’, whilst wonderful in a boutique or luxury hotel, can actually end up being a bit anxiety-inducing and stressful as you strive to get all the elements in place. Instead, I would recommend opting for a really good quality duvet cover, pillowcase, and throw’. In essence, keep it simple. If you want to further minimise effort and maximize presentability, Rory recommends opting ‘for a material like a washed cotton over a linen. Why? Because the brushed finish means the cotton doesn't crease quite so harshly. Just throw your duvet up in the air, plump your pillows and you have a perfectly presentable bed, ready for Christmas.’
2. Don’t get caught up on colour-match bedding.
With the worry of going overboard by mixing different colours and patterns, opting for a matching duvet cover, sheet and accessories is the safe option for many. Though as Rory states ‘it’s simply a case of everything in moderation, and being mindful of tone’. For example, pairing a navy bedding set (duvet cover and pillowcases), with either a burgundy or dark green fitted sheet and extra pillowcase pair would be Rory’s festive colour choice: ‘Different colours yes, but very much in the same deep and subdued tonal palette. Be mindful that the tone is quite important here. I’m suggesting similar colour shades because when you start contrasting tones (light and dark colours) things inevitably start getting a little too energised. Instead keep it synced - and keep it restful - with similar shades’.
3. Simple bedspread styling is the most effective.
When adding extra blankets to your guest bed, there's a fine line between the ‘thrown’ arrangement looking effortless vs messy. In attempt of the perfect placement, Rory suggests to ‘double fold your throw (lengthways) and drape it over the lower third of your bed. If it has a settled crease, or a few folds, then that’s perfect. Don’t try to ruffle, or make folds where there aren't any. Anything fussier or more time consuming than this approach and you’re over-considering the detail. More often than not, the first time you fold and place your bed throw is probably the best’.
4. Have a cushion, yes, but avoid unnecessary trimmings.
Christmas themed bedding and all the trimmings may seem the most festive way to spruce up your bed, but excess rows of coordinated cushions, placed neatly on display defeats the purpose to ‘scatter’. Rory suggests ‘One (or two) scatter cushions on a bed is perfectly acceptable. Anything more than this and you have to ask yourself - do you really have the time to plump them?’.
5. Use a low-wattage, warm-toned bedside lamp for relaxation
Unless you’re an avid nightly reader, a traditional white-light reading lamp for beside the bed is not always needed. Instead balance practically with something stylish. Rory states, ‘For the way most of us use a bedside lamp, we should consider it to be more of a ‘mood creator’ and design element. This way, light can be used as a styling detail akin with the comfort of candlelight. For this reason, the ultimate is to look for a lamp that has a dimmable option.’ Perfect for you and your guests on the cosy evenings and dark mornings this season has to offer.
6. Blend with your bed.
Where we may have suggested avoiding matching sheets, nothing says luxury more than a dressing gown in the same colour or tone of your bed: ‘The ‘concept of being subtly twinned with your bed covers is kind of appealing. Of course, nobody would see your coordination unless they catch sight of you in your matching bedding and gown. But good styling, as always, comes down to the devil being in the effortless-looking detail’.
*These tips were based on suggestions by Rory Robertson, commercial interiors stylist and freelance Homes & Interiors Editor. https://www.roryrobertson.co.uk/
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In fact, switch to warmer sheets with beddable. As advocates for a seasonal bedding change-up, we’re prepared for all your wintertime needs. With a round-up of helpful tips and luxury winter bedding sets, you’re sure to stay snug this season.
1. Opt for a winter duvet.
Feathers will have you covered. A goose-down duvet is softer, lighter and holds better insulating properties. Designed to shelter you from the cold without compromising on comfort, feather filled duvets are most suited to the colder months and unheated or poorly insulated bedrooms. Constructed of 100% fill power, meaning the duvet does more with less, they provide better insulation without any extra weight.
Higher the TOG, the warmer you’ll be. While you may notice that quilts with a higher TOG rating tend to be thicker, TOG refers to how effectively a duvet can retain heat. In the coldest months of the year, opt for winter duvet at at-least 10.5 TOG. Our all-season duvet, with a higher TOG value will provide the extra insulation on those cold chilly nights.
2. Dress your bed in 100% washed cotton.
Plummeting temperatures call for the cosiest fabrics. Soft and snug washed cotton is the best material to keep you warm at night. Going through a special washing process after weaving, it retains a softer feel than untreated cotton. In 100% premium cotton with 400 thread count for durability, Beddable’s washed cotton bedding sets guarantee a cosy night’s sleep.
Choose winter bedding in warm tones and effortless styles. Since darker shades absorb heat, dressing your bed in deep hues like burgundy, dark green or acorn brown will turn your bed into a warm retreat. Introducing shades of grey to reflect winter frost will equally give your bedroom a wintery update, ready for when the nights draw in.
3. Layer.
It may seem simple, but this is where we can often go wrong. By focusing on layering on top of the duvet, the bed can become uncomfortable and heavy. Instead, layering from the bottom-up is conducive to a cosy night’s sleep. The key to creating a warm bed is to trap heat between you and your mattress.
Start with a mattress topper. This will add an additional layer of comfort whilst creating pockets of insulation. Then cover your usual fitted sheet with an extra flat sheet. In summer, a flat sheet may be a lightweight alternative to your duvet, but when the winter rolls in, doubling-up on covers will act as a barrier to the outside chill.
Top the sheets off with bedspreads and scatter cushions. A cosy throw blanket, like our waffle bedspreads or alpaca throws, tucked at the foot of the bed will keep your toes toasty and be there as an optional, additional cover on exceptionally cold nights. Not just decorative items, adding rich textures and soft furnishings can help your bedroom feel extra cosy. Our festive herringbone or corduroy cushions offer a snug spot to rest your head.
Read here how to implement an annual bedding swap in summer too.
]]>We spoke to Craig, founder of @menswearstyle, who often wears his loungewear as outerwear. He said: “I've worn my green Beddable loungewear shirt with navy cropped trousers, unstructured blue jacket, and minimal white trainers on the morning school run. It portrays a relaxed but sophisticated look with minimal planning.” Craig Landale, menswearstyle.co.uk
So take your loungewear beyond WFH and blur the boundary between style and comfort with beddable. Our bamboo loungewear collection is breathable, comfortable and stylish. When you’re heading back to the city, it can make the ideal work-week attire, and we’ll tell you why:
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We asked Alex Dimitriu M.D., a psychiatrist who has a dual board certification in psychiatry and sleep medicine, why sleep matters. As a medical reviewer for Business Insider, the Sleep Foundation and a contributing writer to the Encyclopedia of Sleep Medicine, Alex is an expert in his field. His work that helps patients to optimise sleep performance by day and peak restorative sleep by night, has been internationally recognised by Men's Health, Cosmopolitan and The New York Times. In acknowledging this expertise in psychiatry, sleep, and transformational therapy we asked:
Alex defines good sleep as “when you almost wake up naturally, and feel refreshed, sharp, and calm the next day, without needing too much coffee. Usually this is about 7 to 9 hours for most adults”. If this doesn't sound familiar or you are waking up with difficulty, feeling weary, restless and rough, then perhaps you need to rethink your schedule. Are you sleeping for the recommended amount of hours?
Aside from overall feeling of mood and an instantaneous coffee-drinking habit, lack of sleep can negatively affect health and wellness in more ways than one. Alex suggests “Poor sleep can throw off a lot of things. People can become irritable, tired, depressed, forgetful, and more obsessive and ruminative. It can get harder to distance oneself from intense emotions. Memory also suffers. The body feels poor sleep with increased appetite, elevated cortisol, as well as blood sugar”.
Each aspect of your bedroom setting can influence how well you sleep. Studies have shown that many are able to simply sleep better when their bedroom is optimised for comfort and relaxation. Our washed cotton comfort bedding available in a range of clean colour blocks and geometric shapes provides the ultimate sleep-ready setting. After all, a bed that promotes sleep can improve on how you feel when you’re awake. Shop beddable’s bedding sets to assist on getting that all-important night’s sleep.
By following these tips to ensure a great night’s sleep you’re sure to see an improvement on overall health and wellbeing. As Alex states “sleep is essential to both the mind and body. For the mind, sleep helps memory and emotional systems, and it also cleans up all the waste products for the day. Good sleep can help with mood, anxiety, impulsivity, memory, and attention and focus (yes, ADHD or ADHD like symptoms). For the body, sleep helps our metabolism, glucose and fat control, appetite, immunity, and even skin quality and appearance”. There is more to just getting the essential shut eye, sleep matters.
*These tips were based on suggestions by Alex Dimitriu MD, of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine.
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shop all green bedding sets here.
Green is another winner with a grey background. For a cool and fresh feel, like moss on stone, green will add life and wellbeing to the solid foundation of grey. Combine this with white to really make it pop. The goal is the fine balance of tranquillity and excitement, all with a sense of sophistication and intention.
shop all blue bedding sets here.
Grey and blue look great together but they tend to need a little help – that’s where the whimsey comes in. Add some polka dots, dramatic stripes, or other bold patterns to raise the level of motion and interest. Interesting accent pieces also add drama and charm this palette.
For a classic look that evokes feelings of peace and cleanliness, grey and white make an excellent pairing. Use caution though, these neutrals can appear stark and washed out if not done well. Help comes in the form of patterns and interesting pieces to bring some drama to the room. You can add these to curtains, rugs, bedding and artwork.
If you have a white bedroom, then choose a grey bedding set, to give you those cool dark winter vibes.
shop burgundy bedding sets here.
Red is among the top colours for dramatic effect on a grey background. A single frame, pillow cover, or throw rug is enough to show off the power of this vibrant colour. Don’t overdo the accent colours though – a varying palette of greys with a few colours is a far more effective technique than too many splashes of colour. After all, we don’t want a red room with grey accents, but the other way around.
shop caramel brown bedding sets here.
If you have a dark room that needs some help, consider bringing in some orange. Mimicking sunset or sunrise lighting – perfect for a dimmer room – orange can bring a sense of warmth and appeal to what otherwise might become a depressing, cave-like room. Add it to some grey to set it off. It will bring in the cheerfulness of yellow, but with a deeper, more calming effect.
shop all grey bedding sets here.
The key to working with several shades and tints of the same colour is to work with various textures too. Even the same shade, in a different texture, can create a sophisticated and understated elegance to a room. Add in a few more shades and you’ll actually feel the wealth of what you have to work with. A few small and colourful accents, and the whole room will come alive.
We stock both light grey, silver grey, and dark grey bedding sets.
Purple can be a very overpowering colour, but done right, it can also be a very pleasing and sophisticated one. The key to using purple is to use it sparingly… even subtly. Avoid using purple as the base colour for a room, unless you are going for an all-out, dramatic ‘wow factor,’ like Golden Age Hollywood. Otherwise, choose a neutral colour for the bulk of the room and set it off with flares and splashes of purple in strategic places.
Grey is naturally formal, reserved, and predictable… So why not pair it with a little bright and cheerful yellow? These two can work together to great effect. Choose yellow for an accent wall, duvet cover, or even picture frames, and your grey walls will beam like a Madison Avenue gent with a beautiful woman on his arm.
A formal room can look a bit stark in grey but add in a few touches of pink and it will spark to joyful life. Pink isn’t the domain of little girls’ rooms, and it isn’t even a specifically female colour; pink can be sophisticated, charming, and make itself at home in almost any setting – if it’s done right.
Original features, like skirting, window frames and door frames, and even fixture mounts, look great in white with a surrounding surface of grey. Add to these some colourful bedding in orange and pink, and you might not know why you love it – but you will love it.
Denim blues alongside grey can give a feeling of calm, reliable steadfastness. Over this, add some less formal effects, like throw cushions, terracotta pots, bright plants, and whimsical design tricks. One great trick is to paint the inside of a shelving unit with a bright colour, leaving the outside in a more traditional brown or grey.
You can get a new navy bedspread, navy cushions, and a navy bedding set on our site.
Great hotels are known for great style, and a charcoal velvet headboard paired with a grey cabinet in a great foundation for the vibe of a high-end hotel. Use texture by adding luxurious throws on the bed or over a chair, and play with tones of coffee or caramel. Add some brass in small amounts to flash a bit of sparkle here and there. These layers will each bring a hit of opulence and style to the room. It might take some playing around to get it balanced and working, but the final result will be a knockout.
You can buy a new dark grey bedding set here. We recommend always going with 100% cotton bedding.
Slate grey flooring is a great fit with grey walls too. Whether you prefer carpet, tile or wood doesn’t matter either; it’s the colour we’re after. Paler walls and darker floors will give a feeling of sturdiness and grounding, and you can play with the accents to add whimsey, sophistication, and your personal style.
If the look you’re building isn’t quite working yet, play with black and white prints, in neutral frames or something a bit more daring. Monochrome bed linens can also anchor a room and draw the eye to the accents and decorations around them.
Need a white bedding set? Click here!
White bedrooms can be stark and washed out, but a light grey can elevate the look to a chic level of sophistication. Light grey will also make coloured accents and frames pop to the eye, adding excitement and interest to the room as a whole.
Painting doors the same colour as the wall can make the door blend seamlessly into the background, giving a greater sense of size to a wall and openness to a room. For something a bit more dramatic, paint the door like the walls, but carry on a brighter hue from the skirting, up over the door frame too, especially if it matches with crown moulding or other historical features. The result will be to highlight these traditional and historical features, but in a modern, chic way.
Choosing a darker grey tone is a great way to set off bold, graphic patterns on wallpaper, rugs or bedding. Consider chevrons, stripes, polka dots, or irregular lines. A solid, upholstered headboard can bring a sense of calm and peace to a bed in the midst of a boldly patterned room. Add a few hints of pink, or another favourite colour, and you’ll smile every time you look at your new creation.
Did you know, beddable.co.uk stocks luxury 400 thread count bedding.
If you are looking to create a calm space, using patterns of different shades of grey can have a profound effect on a room. The alternating textures in a single colour gives a sense of depth, interest, and solidity at the same time, inviting you into a safe place to rest, sleep, and recharge for the following day.
Need some striped bedding? Click here!
If you have a favourite trend, look for ways to include grey in your own manifestation of it. Birch-wood wallpaper in grey looks great, and add it to a few choice accent pieces and the total effect is complete.
Wood panelling can seem old and dated, but there are ways to turn it into a chic, sophisticated look that screams great, modern style. Paint panelling in tones of grey and let the wood provide the textures. You can turn an aging manor look into a showcase for modern art, a coastal getaway, or central London café vibe… whatever you want. After all, this is your domain – you are in control.
Read next:
]]>Both percale and sateen can come in 100% cotton, 100% Egyptian cotton, and really any other type of thread. The difference is in the weave – and it can be quite a dramatic difference in the look, feel, and other traits of the finished bedding.
Interested in 100% cotton bedding? Shop it here.
Sateen refers to the weave pattern of one thread under, three threads over. This is a modification on the one under, one over pattern of percale.
The practice of going three threads over creates more flat areas on the finished product, at the almost microscopic level. This produces a shine and smooth feel to the sheets, to the point that they are often mistaken for silk by many shoppers. Sateen also feels a bit heavier than percale and feels warmer against the skin. And one special perk of these traits? It is naturally wrinkle resistant.
The same cotton raw materials and yarns are used to create sateen weaves and percale weaves – the same machinery can even be used. The only difference is the pattern in which they are woven together.
Sateen sheets seem to be one of those ‘love them or hate them’ products. Some people try them and can never go back to percale weaves, while others find sateen too smooth or heavy for comfort. If you like the feel of silk on your body, and a heavier weight of bedding, then you’ll likely love sateen. It is especially popular among people who tend to feel colder when they sleep.
Related reading: How to remove stains from bedding
The alternative to sateen is what most people are more familiar with: percale.
Percale is not shiny, and tends to wrinkle more easily as it is a slightly lighter material. Because the weave is one over, one under, there is slightly more roughness to the texture (even though it can be very soft), and light does not reflect from it in as uniform a way – that’s why it isn’t shiny.
There is no difference between percale and sateen with regard to quality – there are lower end and higher end sheets available in either weave, and in a variety of cottons and cotton blends.
The only real difference is the appearance and feel, which comes down to personal preference.
Learn more about percale bedding here, or shop them online here.
See our full Percale vs Sateen article here.
We have spent countless hours perfecting our sheets, understanding thread count and materials, in order to bring you our luxury sateen bedding, that's lightweight, breathable, cosy, and made with high-quality cotton. They are 100% cotton, with a 400 thread count. They also look and feel luxurious.
Shop all beddable sateen sheets here.
Most people spend about a third of their lives in bed. Since bedding can have a huge impact on how well we sleep, it makes sense to invest a little into finding and purchasing the right sheets for you and your individual preferences. Understanding thread counts, cotton types, weaves and other features and even marketing techniques – this can be daunting! But don’t worry, here are a few tips to guide you along the way.
Thread count – Thread count is the number of threads that cross a square inch of the fabric. Because bedding often looks the same in packaging, marketers began using thread count as a way to indicate differences in quality between the various sheets. Higher thread count can be, but isn’t always, an indicator of higher quality. The quality of the thread used is a more important factor.
Beddable.co.uk is the home of luxury bedding, including bedding sets, duvet covers, bed sheets, pillowcases, pillows, duvets, and bedspreads. Our sizes include double bed, king size, and super king size.
Read our full Bedding Buying Guide.
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Wooden floors can look great, but if you really want to elevate the level of comfort and style, the right rug can make all the difference. It insulates against cold against your feet, looks warmer, and even absorbs sound to make a room sound cosier. Echoes can make a room seem stark and empty, while the same room with a rug in it will feel much more inviting.
It is worth spending a little extra to have the bedding you really love. Better bedding will last longer, give you a better sleep, and look great even after many months or even years of use. Keep your eyes open and you might even find a great deal on high-quality bedding, so it needn’t break the bank. Always choose 100% cotton bedding, for a better night's sleep.
You can shop cosy winter style bedding sets here.
It might be time to take that this summer duvet and roll it into its storage bag for the year. Out comes the thicker and heavier winter version. It doesn’t matter whether you choose a synthetic or natural filling for your duvet; there are excellent versions of each. It comes down to personal preference. A duvet with a Tog rating of around 10.5 is great for the cooler months of the year. The higher the Tog rating, the warmer the duvet, so match the best one to the way you sleep, and comfort is just a bedtime away.
Choose a natural filling, such as this goose feather and down duvet, coated with 233 thread-count cotton to make it extra soft.
If you’re a colder sleeper, and you need an extra boost of super-cosy heat in the night, consider an electric blanket. These amazing devices will generate a layer of warmth above you while you sleep, and keep you warm throughout the night. For a welcoming warmth right from the time you crawl in, turn it on ten or fifteen minutes before you go to bed.
Don’t worry about being environmentally friendly either; the extra power you use on an electric blanket means that the central heating can be lower, working out to an overall savings of energy… and that’s just one more thing to be comfortable about.
Blankets can insulate you on extra-cold nights, they can go with you when you shuffle out of bed on the morning of a day off, and they are an excellent way to make a room look great. You can even change them out if you want variety of colour in the room throughout the year.
Storing your thicker ones through the summer, then bringing them out in the autumn, will give you an early Christmas present as you unwrap that cosy blanket from last year.
A mattress is one of the largest purchases you will make – if you buy a really good one. Sure, a house is more, a car is more, and you may own a boat… but those things aside, invest in a good mattress and it will pay you back every night of long, deep, blissful sleep. But if you already have a mattress, and want to upgrade it for a low price? There is a trick to help you out! A mattress topper will insulate you from any bumps or irregularities in your mattress, and they come in a wide variety of thicknesses, construction materials, and price points. It’s like adding a mini-mattress to the top of your current one!
A good candle not only gives that point of soothing light, it can also fill the room or house with a beloved scent. Far northern countries are famous for keeping a candle going on the long winter nights, and you can do the same. Try scents like balsam, fir, vanilla, and dark, woody fragrances.
Bright lights trigger us to be awake. When the natural dimness of evening comes in, our bodies naturally begin to move toward a sleeping stage. If we over-light our homes in the evening, we can block that process – and block the great sleep we might otherwise be having!
Keep the brighter, overhead lights off in the evening, and instead use a soft, dimmer bedside lamp. If you have a dimmable main light, that can work too, but something lower is better.
The best sleep comes from a very dark room. Bare windows can let in light from neighbours, passing aircraft, and even a bright moon! The right curtains are key.
If you have a large window, avoid large, bold patterns on your curtains, or they will overpower the room when drawn. Smaller patterns and natural colours (including some unexpected ones, like purples and pinks) can work very well.
Bold graphic patterns can look great in kitchens and great rooms, but when it comes to bedrooms, something more calming and natural is more conducive to a cosy feel and a good night’s sleep.
Avoid clutter – including chunky patterns on walls and bedding. Smaller, intimate patterns in natural colours and textures work best in bedrooms. Wood and stone textures are great choices, especially when matched with rich, deep textures on pillows and bedding. Faux-fur throws, knit blankets, and other soft elements will create the counterpoint to the stone and wood and the final result will be cosy, will look great, and will be very inviting for sleep.
This is a tough one for many people, but shielding yourself from the screen and interruptions of your tech devices is key to a good night’s sleep. You can make your bedroom a tech-free zone, or you can simply use apps and settings that block out alerts during certain hours of the night.
If you simply can’t leave your device behind, set it on night mode, to prevent looking at bright lighting, and avoid content that will stir you up… it’s a time for calming the mind and body before sleep. Some apps can even help this process, but try to have it all set up before bedtime, so you don’t interact with the device’s display too much.
Having your belongings displayed around you can be satisfying, at least initially, but having too many things can cause clutter, and clutter prevents you from seeing those items – and that style – that is the most meaningful to you. By minimising the number of items in a room, and sometimes holding back a little on ‘big and bold’ prints and styles, you can actually highlight what matters most to you.
Choose a few key items to draw the eye and make a statement about your personal style for that room. This can be done with a cute nightstand, vanity, a statement bedframe, or even a unique style of light fixture. A couple of hand-picked items like this, and your style will be crystal clear.
A deep, dark base colour for your rooms will make them even more cosy and chic. Add to that a few pops of colour with artwork, cushions, and other accents to create a beautiful décor that can easily be changed with the seasons.
Floral patterns come in a wide range of styles, from the high impact of bold and vibrant colours to the soothing pastels and muted tones of autumn. For greatest effect, bring in some real flowers to accent your room’s colours and add a pleasant scent.
Read Next:
Want some new bedding? We have plenty of bedding for all seasons, including winter, autumn, spring, and summer.]]>Try these ideas to guide you along the way:
Autumn tones are more muted than summer ones, with subtle contrasts and paler shades. Consider warm colours like rusty orange, vanilla, oatmeal, chestnut – and brighten things up with a buttercup yellow. Look to the treetops for inspiration! Let your eyes rest near the ground and you’ll find inspiration too, with the burgundy of fallen leaves, chocolate and burnt orange of earth and wood.
shop the best autumn style bedding sets here.
To finish of your bedroom decor, consider choosing some bed sheets that match your autumnal theme. Deep oranges, browns, and reds help to match the changing scenery outside, and give you somewhere nice and cosy to hide in when the wind is blowing. Choose sheets that are 100% cotton, to give yourself the best night's sleep.
shop bedding accessories here.
Throw blankets are a great way to bring a since of motion and whimsey to a room, all while having a warm and comfortable item to snuggle under. Faux furs are not only rich to the eye, they are soft and warm and resist stains from coffee or tea – many modern ones can even be washed, in case it’s your hot chocolate that slips over the rim of your cup! Another great choice is a cotton or polyester blanket. These will take the chill off of you without overheating. Knit throws and quilts are also great for a traditional touch.
Adding pillows can take a boring, stark room and add layers of comfort and ease to it. In the right colours and combinations, pillows can really make a room special. Pay attention to the sizes, colours, and textures when choosing pillows, and avoid getting a bunch of the same items. Varying the colours and sizes with items that complement each other will have a much more pleasant effect than a phalanx of identical pillows lined up for inspection. That variety will not only be more comfortable, it will look more inviting and cosier.
A little bit of pure décor, with no purpose other than to evoke feelings of the season, a wreath can instantly transport the viewer into the warm feelings of holiday feasts, harvests, and happy times with family. Whether you choose one larger wreath, or a few smaller ones (again, vary the sizes and choose complementary – but different – colours), your wreath decorations will set the tone of your room and can anchor your other items, bringing them all together in a natural way.
Don’t just think dining or living room either; wreaths over a headboard can produce a beautiful and stunning effect.
Storage functions as a place to put all of your smaller items, so they don’t clutter up your home. If you want the full benefit of a storage solution, then, make sure that the storage itself is beautiful. For autumn, woven baskets lined in seasonal colours, crates and boxes reminiscent of harvest times and country cottages, and even chests and wooden boxes will all come together to hide your clutter and amp up your décor, all at the same time.
Wooden floors are often softened and made more comfortable by the addition of a rug, but even carpeted rooms can benefit from that additional layer of softness and colour. Rugs can also help to define a space. Defining the walking space in a room otherwise dominated by a bed is a great way to open it up to the eye and create a sense of greater space. You’ll also be able to play with pattern and colour, without locking yourself into a permanent floor covering; you can change out your rugs every season if you want to!
Lighting often goes unnoticed, but it can really make your room pop, or it can create a harsh and uninviting space. Brighter isn’t always better, either; look for lighting styles and colours (including bulbs) that intentionally match the mood you’re trying to achieve. For bedrooms, stay below 40 watts at the bedside, and choose a warm tone of soft-light option. They can be more expensive, but they are far better, so the value is there.
For thousands of years, people have been gathered around fires for warmth and security, so lighting a few candles has a deep and positive effect on people. Big, pillar candles add a sense of richness to the décor, while tealights can lighten and soften a room, easing the tension away with subtle flickering. If you prefer to avoid open flames, there are some excellent candles that run on battery power while looking like the real thing. For the scent, of course, the flaming candles are the best option. Place them in hurricane glass or candle-holders to ensure safety and increase visual impact.
Want an easy way to say ‘autumn is here!’? Try placing a few small pumpkins or other gourds around, one here and there, or in little clusters. These small items should dry out and last quite a long time, but it is worth keeping an eye on them to prevent them starting to rot. You can purchase pre-dried ones as well.
If you carve a pumpkin for the Halloween festivities, it’s best to display it outside, to prevent it from smelling up your home and attracting insects and other unwanted visitors.
When choosing items for your décor, always keep a though on texture. Variation is the key, with smooth and rough, various depths of fuzzy, and even a few shiny bits in amongst the matt and muted tones of your autumn palette.
Autumn is all about softness, nesting, curling up in a cosy den to rest through the winter storms. Your work and life might be busy and even stressful at times, but keep your bedrooms cosy and relaxing, and that stress can fall away, letting you rest and prepare for days to come.
You are the boss of your own home, but if you’re looking for another opinion, our advice is to transition into autumn décor sometime in September or October. This lets you finish the summer season strongly, while giving yourself enough time to enjoy the autumn décor before holiday decorations take over. If you have a special day in those months, a birthday maybe, or an anniversary, why not use that as the marker, setting up your autumn decorations in preparation for it, or starting them just after, to mark the coming season?
You can also let Mother Nature tell you when to switch… keeping in mind she can change her mind often!
You can keep an eye out for changing colours, pay attention to falling temperatures, migrating birds, and the shortening of days, top let you know when it is time to start your transition to autumn. By the time you need to rake leaves from your garden, or step over them to walk the pavement, then it is time to bring autumn inside your home too.
Interested in other seasonal bedding? We have sets for spring, summer, and winter as well!
]]>Flat sheets are a rectangular shape, finished at the edges, but without any kind of elastic or three-dimensional shape to them. Fitted sheets, on the other hand, have corners sewn into them and most often have elastic sewn in on two or four sides as well. This additional structure allows them to wrap around a mattress, covering it in the same way a car cover, or grill cover works.
Fitted sheets are usually used as a cover for the mattress, and the sleeper gets into bed on top of the fitted sheets.
Some people just use a flat sheet for this, folding it under the mattress to keep it in place for the night (this often has to be redone each day, as a flat sheet used in this way shifts and comes loose in the night).
Some use a fitted sheet for the under layer, and add a flat sheet overtop, between the sleeper and the duvet or blanket used for warmth.
beddable sheets are made from 100% Cotton.
Cotton absorbs perspiration and regulates
the body temperature for uninterrupted sleep.
There are several parts to this debate. For those who don’t like fitted sheets at all, it usually comes down to the fact that they are difficult to fold, and so they add additional work and look untidy in a linen cupboard or stack. No one debates that they fit and look great once on the mattress though.
For those who prefer to use the fitted sheet without the flat sheet (also called the top sheet), the argument centres around the flat sheet being an extra. Since duvet covers protect the duvet itself, there is no need for this additional sheet, it’s just more work and cost.
Those who prefer both fitted and flat sheets think otherwise. They maintain that the additional sheet makes the bed more comfortable and inviting, and that it protects the cleanliness of the duvet cover. Since a flat sheet is much easier to clean than a duvet cover, it is actually less work, as the duvet cover need not be laundered as often as it would without a flat sheet to keep it clean.
The bottom line is that it is up to you. Cooler sleepers might prefer the additional layer of the flat sheet (perfect for the winter); hotter sleepers might prefer to leave it out (especially in the summer), or might appreciate the option to wash the sweat off of it more often and more easily than repeatedly changing the duvet cover!
In the end, it is up to your personal choice.
Once you’ve decided which position in the debate is your position, it’s time to choose the right sheets. Here are a few tips – for both fitted and flat sheets – to help you get the items that are right for you.
The first consideration for fitted sheets is that you get the correct size. Unlike flat sheets, that can be folded under and are adaptable to a bed size that is smaller (or even very slightly larger) than they were designed for, fitted sheets much fit exactly, or they will come off, have uncomfortable folds under you while you sleep, and they will look very untidy.
Part of this correct measurement is the depth of the sheet design. The length and width of the fitted sheet will be standard (single, double, king, super king) and then it will have a measurement for how thick a mattress it is designed to cover. If you use a mattress cover, pillow-top, or other additional layer over your mattress, take these into account as well.
For flat sheets, simply choose the size that matches your bed size. Some people prefer a size larger than the bed, for additional length on the borders or to cover a thick (tall) mattress – these can always be tucked in when the bed is made.
Once you’ve determined the size you need, it comes down to the quality you can afford. Your skin will come into contact with both the fitted and the top sheet, so buying a good quality sheet set will ensure the best sleep.
100% cotton is a great choice, and choosing a high thread count like our 400 thread count sheets adds to this. Linen is also a good choice, but read up on it a bit to make sure it is right for you, before spending the extra money. We recommend you avoid synthetic materials for sheets, as they do not breathe well and are not as comfortable.
As for colour, white and cream are excellent choices because they can be easily matched with many different colours in your room and bedding accents. If you do want a brighter colour for your sheets, we recommend buying sets, from the same manufacturer, as you are most likely to get good colour matches that way – one manufacturer’s ‘navy blue’ will not be quite the same as another’s.
Beddable stocks a wide range of matching colours, includign navy blue, light blue, light grey, dark grey, burgundy, and dark green.
]]>For a long time – generations in fact – linen sheets were known as the standard type of bedding. In fact, some people still refer to bedding in general as ‘bed linen,’ even when the bedding isn’t made of linen at all! But what is linen? Why should, or shouldn’t, you choose actual linen for your bed?
Linen threads tend to be longer and thicker than cotton, which means they last a long time – longer even than hard-wearing cotton. The resulting sheets feel a bit stiffer than cotton sheets, and they feel smooth to the touch. They have microscopic breaks in the material that are thought to have therapeutic effects, like a micro-massage on the skin while you sleep on them. Linen tends to get softer over time, as they are used and laundered.
Linen sheets are a popular choice for hotels, Airbnb hosts, and other hospitality ventures, because they are considered anti-allergenic by most healthcare professionals, and they last a long, long time - through multiple washes per week.
Typical bedsheets collect germs on them in the usual ways – that’s just life – but linen sheets are more breathable than most sheets, stay cooler and dryer for that reason, and therefore are thought to reduce the accumulation of bacteria. This can help reduce allergy symptoms.
The material is also resistant to static, and is biodegradable, making them a good eco-friendly choice
So linen sheets are perfect, right? Well, maybe not perfect. There are a few downsides to consider too.
For one thing, linen sheets don’t start out feeling as smooth as cotton sheets. It can take up to three years of use and washing before they really feel their best.
The thicker, slightly course material can also take some getting used to, for those more accustomed to regular cotton sheets. For the long term, yes, they are tough to beat for comfort, but right out of the packaging they can take second place for a while.
Finally, they do have a higher thread count, and last a very long time, so they tend to cost more. How much more? It depends on what you’re used to spending, but brace yourself for a ticket price on linen sheets of two or even three hundred pounds (or more) for a set.
Cotton sheets are sheets made from cotton fibres. These fibres are grown on cotton plants, and harvested when the fluffy white tufts appear on the plants. These tufts are gathered, cleaned, processed, and spun into threads for weaving and sewing. The process has been improved and honed for hundreds of years.
The main benefit of this material for use in bedding and clothing is the soft feel, right from new.
Cotton sheets are strong and durable. The many threads, woven together, cumulate in a structure that is breathable, but not easy to break (beddable bedding is 400 thread count). Best of all, as they are used and washed, the softness they begin with gets even softer and they get more comfortable over time. Cotton sheets also absorb moisture – up to 25% of their own weight in fact – and that can help keep you warm in the winter, and cool in the summer.
They're also available in a variety of types, percale cotton is used for a cooler crisp finish in the summer, whereas sateen cotton is used for a cozy warm feel in the winter.
Learn more about what is percale cotton here.
Cotton bedding sets are also available in a wide range of colours, including blue, navy, green, grey, white, and burgundy.
Cotton sheets don’t last as long as something like linen, but with a lifespan of three to five years, cotton sheets can still be good value for the money. Cotton sheets also absorb moisture, which is good, but they can take a relatively long time to dry because of this.
Whether you go with cotton sheets, or linen, is entirely up to you and what is important to you. Are you a hot sleeper or a cold one? Is a low price more important than a longer life of the product? Are you happy to let the sheets gain in comfort over time, knowing that they will take some use to get to that optimal level?
Whichever you decide on, these considerations should help you to ensure that you buy the right sheets for you. Good luck, and have a good sleep!
If you need a new set of bedding, then browse our range here, including new duvet sets, duvet covers, fitted sheets, flat sheets, and pillowcases.
]]>This knowledge starts with the type of cotton weave used to make the sheets. The style of weave has a huge effect on how the finished product will feel on your bed against your skin. It also affects the way your sheets look, as the light bounces off of it differently. Most of all, the weave affects the quality of your sleep, and that is worth getting the right one for you.
All beddable bedding is made from 100% cotton.
The two main types to choose from include percale cotton, and sateen cotton. There is a lot of difference between these two, so let’s get into the details, starting with percale cotton.
Percale weave uses a traditional pattern, with the threads criss-crossing, one over and one under. This is what we usually think of when we think of weaving for sheets.
Need a new pillowcase? Browse our range here.
Because the weave follows the over-under patterns, the finish is smooth and flat, crisp and cool to the touch, and appears matt in the light, rather than shiny. High -quality percale sheets – yes, keep in mind that even within each category there are other factors that change the quality level – will use fine yarns and long staple cotton fibres. At beddable, we also ensure our sheets are 400 thread-count. This increases the comfortable feel of the sheet and keep it feeling breathable. Higher thread counts, or sheets made using short staple cotton, will feel denser and heavier, if that is your preference.
All percale means is that the weave pattern is one over, one under, in a criss-cross pattern. This is the warp and weft style that has been used for thousands of years and remains one of the best patterns. If you like a crisp, cool feel to your sheets, this is the one to choose.
Boutique hotels use this kind of sheet, so that should give you a good frame of reference. They tend to feel great to the touch, cool when you slide into the bed, and will keep you cool while sleeping. The added benefit of these sheets for those who tend to ‘sleep hot,’ is that they are not only breathable, they also feel great against the skin if you strip off your clothing to keep cooler too.
beddable sheets are made from 100% Cotton.
Cotton absorbs perspiration and regulates
the body temperature for uninterrupted sleep.
We mentioned that we would be going over both major types of sheets, so let’s take a look now at the other big alternative: the sateen cotton sheet.
Sateen cotton is named for the sateen weave, which is similar to the one-over, one-under weave of percale, but is instead one over, and three under.
The result of this is a silky hand feel, a lot of softness, and more initial sheen, though this fades some over time. Sometimes sateen sheets are even mistaken for silk, as some of the attributes are similar. Sateen is, however, 100% cotton. The drape of sateen sheets is heavier than that of percale, and the sheets feel a bit warmer to the touch, so they are better for those sleepers who tend to get colder at night.
The decision to go with percale or sateen comes down mainly to preference, as each one is about the same price as the other at a given quality level.
Did you know, here at beddable, you can choose between either fitted or flat bed sheets.
Most people choose the percale sheets, as they don’t have a noticeable feature that tends to put people off. Sateen sheets, on the other hand, are shinier, and people tend to love the sine, or hate it. Hotels therefore generally go with percale sheets so as not to alienate those who dislike the shine. Sateen sheets do however have a very luxuriant feel and a slightly heavier drape which feels very opulent.
All of our bedding is available in Double, King Size, and Super King.
Our most popular set colours are navy blue, dark green, light grey, and white.
]]>To minimize the effects of the heatwave on your sleep, we suggest implementing a summer bedding swap into your annual routine.
Just like you may do a ‘spring clean’ at the beginning of the season, declutter in time for back-to-city September routines, or scatter your home with soft, cosy furnishings in the winter, changing with the seasons is nothing new. So why not change your bedding too?
In fact, switch to summer sheets with Beddable. As advocates for a seasonal bedding change-up, we’re prepared for all your summertime needs. Follow these tips and you’re guaranteed a sweat-free, satisfactory nights sleep during this month’s heatwave:
You're looking for the cream of the crop in sheets, but you're not exactly sure how to pick it? What is thread count? And what is the best thread count for sheets?
Here's a look at everything you need to know about what thread count means and why it matters so that you can have a luxuriously comfortable bed. Let's jump in (so to speak)!
The thread count of your sheets refers to the quantity of vertical and horizontal threads present in a single square inch of your sheet's cotton.
The reality is, a limited quantity of threads can fit into each fabric square inch. The quantity will depend on how thick the yarns are. However, this number is typically between 300 and 400.
Some retailers offer bedding with higher thread numbers to make their sheets look more valuable. And, of course, these sheets come with higher prices.However, these high-thread-count sheets simply use multi ply yarn to achieve this effect. And the single play year construction found in 300- or 400-thread-count sheets can actually lead to longer lasting, softer and breathable bed sheets versus multi ply yarn.
Not necessarily. The thread count of the sheets you choose is just one component in deciding how high quality your cotton sheets are. Generally, a good thread count is 200 to 400, as sheets within this thread count range can easily be utilised to create luxury bedding.
Other important factors to consider include your sheets' quality. Long staple cotton makes for sheets that are soft and durable compared with its short staple counterpart. Therefore, they can help you to get a good night's rest.
Also, search for sheets whose cotton comes from places like Portugal. In Portugal, local families have been running cotton mills for generations. As a result, they have top-level expertise and high-level standards in the sheet production world. And you will definitely feel the difference when you lie down each night.
Also, make sure that the sheets you purchase are made without using harmful chemicals, like dyes and bleaches. These chemicals are hazardous to the environment and to the user of the sheets as well.
In addition to answering the question "What is thread count," we offer three top-of-the-line, 400-thread-count bedding sets. Thus, we allow you to choose the set that suits your unique needs.
All of our sets are fabricated with the finest cotton fibres. This makes our bedding moisture absorbing and breathable, thus helping to regulate your nighttime body temperature and boost your sleep quality.
We never use harmful chemicals or polyester in our sheets. Get in touch with us to learn more about how our bedding can take your sleeping experience to a whole new level in the nights ahead.
Read our full Bedding Buying Guide.
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A relaxation space should be uncluttered, says Chris Musangi, president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) UK. Very few things should be visible. Put what you can in a cupboard. A few decorative pieces can help set the ambiance. A plant or two, candles or fragrance sticks.
Even the way you store your towels can make a difference. Have a couple of luxe towels on display, rolled with care, as they are presented at the spa. Assign some shelving space for your towels.
Brighter colours lend the space a fresher, cleaner feeling, while darker colours can be more serene and soothing on the senses. Chris recommends a mixture of both. Timbers are often used to soften spaces like treatment rooms in spas, while wet areas tend to use porcelain and stone. Dimmable lighting is a must, giving you the option to adjust the ambience according to your mood.
Incorporate elements that refresh and relax all your senses: sight, smell, taste, touch and sound included. Set the mood with comforting music. Instrumental songs without lyrics will help your mind to focus, free from distraction. A subtly scented candle and dimmed lights will add to the serenity.
Wrap yourself in a soft and luxurious bathrobe. And remember to have a refreshing drink nearby, such as a glass of mint and cucumber water.
A facial to cleanse, exfoliate and nourish your skin is a great way to wind down and refresh. Facial steaming, a homoeopathic remedy that involves placing a towel over your head to envelop your face in a cloud of steam, helps to clear out clogged pores and softens the skin.
Rather than running back and forth to the sink, load up on soft cotton towels. Soak them in hot water, then wring them out until they’re slightly damp. Hot or cold they can then be used to cleanse your face and wipe off any product, leaving your skin feeling supple and refreshed.
Make your bath even more inviting by adding a bath salt to help to treat sore muscles and relax your body, preparing you for a tranquil night’s sleep. A few drops of an essential oil such as lavender will help calm body and mind, or plump for a more sumptuous oil which will further soften your skin.
Turn your shower into an experience. Larger shower heads, including some hand showers, allow you to adjust the spray, giving you different water jets and mists. Some even have scents. All you have to do is unscrew the shower head and replace.
However you choose to indulge, those messages, alerts and calls can wait. Give yourself a moment to escape the demands of daily life. Calm your mind, body and soul. Boost your wellbeing.
]]>If this sounds like you, we’ve got the perfect advice. We asked Kashi Shikunova, our friend from YAM Studios, for tips for a decluttered bedroom. Kashi is an interior design professional who creates beautiful minimalist spaces with her partner Liam Clifford.
Keep reading for some of Kashi’s great insights on decluttering for a good night’s sleep.
Decluttering essentially means reducing the number of items you have in your bedroom, and finding a good storage space for those you keep.
Kashi says the key to decluttering is being critical about the items you own. Over time, we all purchase or inherit things without being mindful of their purpose or value to us. We need to keep asking ourselves whether those items are still useful or meaningful to us. If not, find them a new home. Charity shops are always a good idea. Donating gives you a sense of satisfaction and purpose. And letting go of items can give you a cathartic feeling - almost like shedding weight.
Only keep furniture that is useful to you. Every unused item is a source of distraction for the mind. Ensure every piece of furniture in the bedroom has its own space around it. This “negative space” adds balance to the room and lends each piece its own importance. Consider that space as the item’s home. This will also help you to appreciate every individual piece in your bedroom.
Conceal mirrors if possible. Put them inside wardrobes or in the hallway. Avoid unnecessarily large mirrors. Large reflections can be distracting.
Clothes should be the easiest items for us to declutter yet they’re the ones we delay the most. Start with clothing when you’re decluttering your bedroom. Getting your wardrobe in order will give you the greatest sense of satisfaction. Keep what you wear and need.
Donate what you no longer want. If you get to the end of the season and you realise there are items you haven’t worn, it’s time to find them a new home.
Art stimulates the soul. But too much stimulation can be a bad thing. “Most of us think just because we have an empty wall, we need to fill it with something,” Kashi says. Have some art in the bedroom, but don’t feel the need to cover every wall. Subtle art pieces in neutral colors will be more calming. A single centrepiece can work well. Kashi likes textured paintings on canvas for a bedroom.
Bright colours can be distracting, which is not ideal in a bedroom, Kashi advises. Keep bright art pieces out of the bedroom as they can overstimulate your mind and make it more difficult for you to fall calmly to sleep.
Devices like smartphones and tablets cluttering your bedside table may be hurting your sleep too. Their screens emit blue light which stimulates our brains and makes it difficult for us to fall asleep.
Unread books can similarly weigh on our minds. Books can inspire, motivate and enthuse, but that can also steal from the quality of our sleep as they encourage our imagination to remain active. Reading documents for work can also hinder sleep, causing anxiety about unfinished tasks and the day ahead.
Find an elegant box or container to hide this clutter. It will help turn your bedroom into a minimalist dream.
Elevate your bedroom by making the best use of your storage space. Rather than having multiple small drawers and cabinets, Kashi suggests a single large closet to really organise your space. This will help you to store away more of your possessions out of sight, leaving you with a less cluttered sleeping space and freeing your mind.
A custom-built closet is life-time investment that will allow you to choose the balance between hanging space, drawers and shelves. If you have limited room, a bed with built-in storage can be a good space-saving option.
Bedrooms are very personal spaces so it’s important not to be too extreme when you declutter. Taking too much away can leave a room feeling cold and clinical. Kashi suggests keeping pieces that are meaningful to you and that create joy in your life.
Have a plan when trying to organise a cluttered room. Don’t just dive in headfirst or you might quickly feel overwhelmed and find yourself procrastinating. Assign a different task for each day as this will help to encourage you to complete your tasks.
If you live in the United Kingdom and you’re planning an interior makeover, you might welcome a professional touch. Kashi and her team at YAM Studios specialize in contemporary residential interior design.
Learn more about YAM Studios.
Kashi and Liam create beautiful minimalist spaces.
Don't worry. The simplest solution is to rewash them. But when you do, remember cotton creases most when scrunched or twisted. Follow the tips below to keep it smooth and wrinkle-free. You might not even need to iron!
If you have time to iron, it’s worth doing so. It will smooth out stubborn creases and leave your bedding looking brand new.
If your bedding comes out of the wash full of wrinkles, wash it again following the steps above. Let the machine re-do the work for you. It's easier than trying to iron out a sheet full of creases.
Our washed cotton collection is designed
to look good even without ironing.
Effortless luxury.
Here are some tips to keep your bedding wrinkle-free.
Light is hugely impactful on the body. Through the connections made through the eyes and the brain’s biological timeframe, lighting influences the chemistry and behaviour and keep us in functioning with the pattern of our day.
Consider this: humans have evolved from being outside, where they have been exposed to light beginning with the rising sun. In the modern world, we spend lots more time inside, but sunlight still aids us in regulating our sleep patterns.
When you wake up in the morning, exposure to natural daylight alerts the brain and gets you up and running. Then, when it’s time to unwind, factors such as having blinds in the bedroom, being comfortable, having quality bedding or even wearing an eye mask can help you immerse yourself in complete darkness. As you awake, pull your blinds and eye mask back to bathe the room in glorious sunlight and let the cycle start again. Before you begin the day, spend some time in the light, try to remember to give your body doses of sun throughout the day where you can.
If you need to wake before the sun comes up, you can find dawn-simulating lights or possibly use lighting to assist with seasonal affective disorder these are very helpful through the winter when the sun comes up later in the day.
Upgrade your sleep
with deliciously soft bedding sets
crafted from premium cotton.
The bedroom environment can have a huge impact on your sleep quality and quantity. There are a few, key variables that come together to make up the sleep environment, this includes light, noise, and temperature. By having attuned factors during your sleeping time in this environment, will put you at ease, and eliminate those that could cause stress or distraction, you can prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep.
We’ve already touched on how light impacts your internal sleep patterns and that too much light at night can shift our internal clock and makes restful sleep difficult to achieve. To decrease this impact, nightlights in the home and bedroom can be utilised. As for noise levels, background noise may relax certain people, but generally, the volume level should be low. Otherwise, increased frequency of awakenings could prevent transitions to the deeper levels of sleep. Research indicates that the optimum temperature range for sleeping varies significantly from individuals, so much so that there is no specific ideal temperature to produce optimal sleeping patterns, it’s highly subjective. People simply sleep best at the temperature that works for them!
Here at Beddable, for bedding that is designed for style and comfort, opt for Beddable. Our range of bedding has been created from premium cotton to make sure you get a good night’s sleep every night. To find out more, see our luxury bedding sets.
]]>Whether your bedroom has been furnished and decorated to create a vintage, nautical, contemporary, minimalist, Scandinavian or industrial style, striped bedding can be used to complement the look. It’s an extremely versatile pattern which can look great with a more muted interior design or a bolder, more striking look - the choice is yours.
With an effortlessly classic design, stripped bedding can take centre stage in any bedroom. If you prefer to keep your walls and flooring bare, you can still make a statement with luxurious striped bedding. Although simple, the pattern exudes elegance; for this reason, it is also used to bring a touch of luxury to suits, ties and shirts.
It’s a well-known fact that wearing clothing patterned with vertical stripes can make you appear taller than you are, and a similar illusion can be achieved with striped bedding. The vertical stripes can create an elongating effect, making your bed appear larger than it actually is and making your room feel more spacious. If your bedroom is particularly small, create the illusion of grandeur with this simple trick.
For luxuriously soft striped bedding choose Beddable. Produced with the highest-quality cotton, our bedding has been crafted with uninterrupted sleep in mind. Opt between silky sateen or ultra-soft percale in a range of sophisticated shades, including Graphite Blue and Light Grey.
We supply everything you need for a sleep that leaves you feeling refreshed and recharged, including fitted sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases. Ready to elevate your sleeping experience? Shop our range of luxury striped bedding online today.
]]>But, there’s one household chore that many people postpone for much longer than they should - washing and changing their bedding. This is something everyone should prioritise when it comes to cleaning your home and putting personal hygiene first.
How often should you change your bedding and why is it so important?
According to microbiologist Laura Bowater, as reported on GoodtoKnow, it’s best to wash your bed sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers at 60 degrees on a weekly basis.
For many people this may not seem realistic, especially when you’ve got a full-time job to uphold, relationships to maintain and a whole other list of responsibilities to contend with.
But, for the best night’s sleep possible, it’s worth changing your bedding at least once a fortnight. We recommend storing a selection of fresh bed sheets in your airing cupboard for this occasion. This will prevent you from becoming locked into a cycle of washing and drying your bedding on the same day.
It doesn’t stop there. Bowater also recommends steaming your mattress every six months. This is because many of the bacteria strains and dust mites that become trapped in your bed sheets can also become buried in the bed itself.
Upgrade your sleep
with deliciously soft bedding sets
crafted from premium cotton.
One of the most important reasons to wash your bedding frequently is to get rid of any unpleasant bacteria or dust mites that you may be sharing your bed with.
Having dust mites in your bed isn’t just uncomfortable to think about - it’s also unhygienic. They may trigger bouts of coughing or even eczema, which is something you’ll want to avoid at all costs.
As you toss and turn throughout the night, you also shed sweat and skin cells. Even if you shower every night before bed, you’ll still need to wash your bedding to get rid of any oils or dirt you leave behind as you sleep.
This is especially important during the summer or if you’re battling an illness, as you’re more likely to sweat and spread bacteria as you sleep. With this in mind, it’s essential to put your sheets in the wash following a period of sickness or hot weather.
Washing your bed sheets and pillowcases frequently is important for sleep that leaves you feeling revitalised and refreshed, as is finding luxury bedding produced with quality cotton. At Beddable, we’re proud to offer just that.
Our 100% cotton bedding bundles are produced in simple, sophisticated designs and can be delivered to your front door at your convenience. For bed sheets you never want to go without, browse our collection online or get in touch with us at Beddable today.
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During the colder months, there’s nothing like coming home after an arduous day at work or gruelling session at the gym and jumping into bed. This is especially true when you’ve updated your bedroom in time for winter.
If the time has come to update your bedroom with the seasons, consider these five simple yet effective ways to do so.
Winter is the time to celebrate refined shades such as charcoal, navy and white. So, why not update your bedroom with an understated yet sophisticated colour palette? Don’t worry - updating your colour scheme doesn’t necessarily mean picking up a paintbrush or investing in new furniture.
Swapping your bedding or purchasing a couple of scatter cushions in your chosen colours is a great way to give your bedroom a lift in time for winter.
On the dreariest of winter days, you’ll appreciate coming home to a warm, inviting room. Luckily, there are many ways to inject warmth into your bedroom without putting your central heating on for hours on end.
For instance, consider purchasing a thick bedspread to use as a throw during particularly cold nights. Or, add a couple of stylish rugs to your floorboards to make stepping out of bed in the morning that little bit easier.
During the summer, thin cotton curtains are a great addition to any bedroom. But, throughout the winter, you’ll appreciate the heat-trapping qualities of thick curtains.
Swapping your cotton curtains or blinds for a set of velvet drapes is a simple yet effective way to prevent heat from escaping your room. This will ensure that your room stays a pleasant temperature all night long.
Even during the bitter cold of winter, ambient lighting can instantly make a bedroom feel cosier. Ample lighting also ensures you can still read or complete the crossword in bed even after the sun has gone down.
To create an inviting atmosphere in your bedroom, consider purchasing a bedside table lamp with yellow bulbs. Or, arrange a selection of floor lamps around your bed.
This is certainly the time of year to swap your thin blanket for a winter duvet, and it can also be tempting to fit your duvet with extra-thick bed sheets. However, it’s still important to choose cotton sheets and pillowcases that allow your skin to breathe throughout the night.
Overheating in the night will disturb your sleep and leave you feeling unsettled. With this in mind, we recommend choosing sateen sheets that help you remain the perfect sleep temperature. Opt for bedding in a bold pattern or sophisticated colour to complete the look and enjoy the cosiest winter yet.
Is it time to update your bedroom for winter? Look no further than Beddable. We supply stylish cotton bedding and accessories, all produced from quality fabrics and designed with luxury in mind. Browse our collection of luxury bedding online or get in touch for more information about Beddable today.
]]>When was the last time you went to bed without checking your phone first? If the answer is ‘I can’t remember’, there’s a high chance that your quality of sleep is being affected.
You’re not the only one: in a study conducted by the University of Hertfordshire, 78% of participants admitted to looking at a smartphone or similar device shortly before bed.
And that compulsion is affecting how well you sleep, according to the study. Blue light from the screens of smartphones, tablets and computers has been found to reduce our production of melatonin, a hormone that we depend on for deep and restful sleep.
The light from your phone isn’t the only culprit. Even if you use a blue light filter or eye comfort mode, connected gadgets like phones are designed to keep you engaged and awake. Confronted with the regular ping of notifications, our brains remain wired into the world, preventing us from fully shutting down for the night.
So while you might think that scrolling through social media, streaming your favourite TV show or reading an online article is helping you wind down, it's actually more likely to be keeping you awake.
Upgrade your sleep
with deliciously soft bedding sets
crafted from premium cotton.
Sharing a bed with someone you love might sound like a blissful way to start and end each day. But all too often, the reality doesn’t live up to expectations.
We asked hundreds of beddable customers. They all agree that snoring, blanket hogging, or tossing and turning in bed quickly becomes a source of frustration when you share a bed.
According to the Journal of Sleep Medicine, it’s common to have between 10 and 30 bouts of restlessness per night. Most of us don't realise they're happening and they're generally no cause for concern. But if your partner is a light sleeper, you may well be inadvertently interrupting their sleep.
Whether you’re the restless one keeping your partner awake or are lying frustrated alongside a fidgety other half, these tips should help.
Trying to fall asleep next to a snoring partner can be difficult. Here are some things to try:
Snoring could also be a symptom of a more serious condition such as sleep apnea. If it persists, consider consulting a sleep specialist.
Ever woken up feeling chilly, only to find your bed buddy has nabbed your side of the duvet?
If all else fails, tuck your side of the duvet gently under yourself or your side of the mattress. Unless your partner is into nighttime resistance training, they'll probably concede defeat.
Ever been slapped by a flailing limb or kicked during a partner's night spasm? Sleep-related movements can have numerous triggers, so self-diagnosis isn’t easy. But here are some tips for a calmer night:
You might also consider switching to a memory foam mattress, which transfers less movement than a traditional sprung mattress. And needless to say, the bigger the bed you can afford, the better. If you both have your own space, the chances of waking each other up with night twitches is considerably lessened.
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The first thing you need to do before you can treat a stain is to identify what it is.
The natural oils that your body produces are often secreted in the form of sweat, particularly when you’re sleeping. This will leave stains that appear yellow.
If you’ve popped your sheets in the washing machine with yellow oil stains on them before you realised they were there, you might find that these stains have a light brown tinge, but the biological make up of both of these stain types are the same. Unfortunately, because these unsightly stains are oil-based they can be tricky to remove.
The enzymes in saliva will also dry brown, and this is often the cause of brown stains on pillowcases. Saliva stains can look unpleasant, but the good news is that these stains are easy to remove as they do not contain as much oil as sweat.
Finally, if you cut yourself shaving or playing sports then you may find that you have a blood stain on your sheets: these can range in colour from red to dark brown. If you do notice a blood stain then it’s important to deal with this as quickly as possible, as these will be harder to remove the longer, they are left.
beddable sheets are made from 100% Cotton.
Cotton absorbs perspiration and regulates
the body temperature for uninterrupted sleep.
Once your stains have been identified, it’s time to get them out of your luxury bedding. Here are some of the solutions you can try, using ingredients you’re likely to already have in your house:
Washing Up Liquid. We all have a bottle of washing up liquid next to our kitchen sink. Try applying some directly onto your stain and rubbing it in before you pop the sheet in the washing machine. This will help to break down the oil from a sweat based stain, and it should wash it away during the cycle, leaving you with fresh, clean sheets.
Soak Your Sheets. To remove a dried-on stain, soak your sheets in warm water for as long as possible before you wash them. This will help to loosen up the stain and make it easier to remove without intensive scrubbing.
White Vinegar. Dealing with a stubborn smell as well as a stubborn stain? Add a cupful of white vinegar to your wash. White vinegar will neutralise any stubborn odours, leaving your bedding looking and smelling fresher than ever. And don’t worry, the vinegar is scent-free once it’s dry, so your bedding won’t smell like a chip shop!
Sunshine. If you’ve already washed your sheets but you can still see the stain, try hanging the bedding outside to dry. Sunlight has bleaching properties, and drying stained items in the sunshine often helps to lift and lighten the stain.
Wash Your Bedding Regularly. Don’t give the stains enough time to set! Washing your bedding at least once a week will ensure that you are removing any stains and smells from your bedsheets before they become a permanent fixture
Buy Natural Fibres. Bedding made from synthetic fibres tend to hold stains and smells much longer than their natural alternatives. If you’re prone to sweating as you sleep, then consider switching your bedding to those made with natural fibres instead.
Final Note: You don’t have to choose just one of these tips. Using all them together should help to lift even the most stubborn of stains and smells.
Beddable is the home of luxury bedding in the UK, with a range of premium 400 thread count bedding available, in popular colours like navy, grey, white, and green.
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Mercury falling: how a cooler bedroom helps you sleep.
Ever woken up at night with your feet and hands dangling out from under the duvet? That’s your body trying to cool itself down and give you a better night’s sleep. And it probably means you’ve got your thermostat set too high.
As the mercury plunges outside, you might think a toasty bedroom is the best way to guarantee a good night’s shut-eye. But in fact, turning up the temperature disrupts your body’s circadian rhythm, meaning you’ll find it harder to get to sleep. And, once you do, you’ll spend less time in the deep, stable slumber that your body and brain crave.
We’re biologically programmed to recognise night-time not just by the onset of darkness but also by a drop in temperature. Both contribute to the naturally-timed release of melatonin that signals to our brain that it’s time to sleep.
The optimum room temperature for quality sleep.
To nod off, your core body temperature needs to drop by at least 1°C (2-3°F). Scientists consider the optimum room temperature for most people to sleep to be around 16-18°C. That’s several degrees below the ambient temperature most of us maintain at home during the day.
Our hands, feet and head are best at radiating heat out. That’s why your limbs take on a life of their own and sneak from under the duvet if your bedroom is too hot. It’s also why a bath before bed helps you sleep: not because it warms you up, but because it draws blood to the surface of your skin and helps you shed heat. Splashing water on your hands and face before bed has the same effect.
Set your thermostat to wake up naturally.
If you struggle to get up in the cold and dark, changing your thermostat settings may help in the mornings too. Just as a drop in temperature helps you to drift off faster, so too a rise in temperature can help draw you out of your slumber. Try setting your thermostat to boost the temperature in your bedroom 15 or 20 minutes earlier in the mornings: we bet you’ll wake up naturally just before your alarm goes off.
Our 100% Cotton bedding is designed to help regulate your body temperature, a vital part of the formula for a regenerative night’s sleep. But your thermostat also has a major role to play. So, think about dropping the temperature a few degrees at night. Not only will it give you a better night’s sleep, it might just save you a few pennies on your heating bill too.
beddable sheets are made from 100% Cotton.
Cotton absorbs perspiration and regulates
the body temperature for uninterrupted sleep.
One of the 20th Century’s most iconic rock songs came to Keith Richards in a dream. The Rolling Stones guitarist woke up to find he had recorded the opening riff of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – albeit in embryonic form - on a cassette player by his bed.
Richards kept the tape deck next to him at night to capture ideas that came to him as he slumbered.
“I go to bed as usual with my guitar, and I wake up the next morning, and I see that the tape is run to the very end,” he told NPR Music.
“And I think, 'Well, I didn't do anything. Maybe I hit a button when I was asleep.' So I put it back to the beginning and pushed play and there, in some sort of ghostly version, is [the opening line to 'Satisfaction'].”
That wasn’t all he recorded.
“After that, there's 40 minutes of me snoring. But there's the song in its embryo, and I actually dreamt the damned thing.”
It's no secret that rapid eye movement (REM) sleep - the phase in which our dreams are the most vivid, complex and bizarre – can spark creativity. And no wonder, perhaps, that such creativity can involve music, with its power to tap and express our innermost states and feelings.
Music’s ability to stimulate different parts of the brain makes it a powerful tool in helping mind and body to wind down and prepare for sleep. Just as it can animate and thrill, it can also calm and comfort. In fact, the right kind of music can help lower your heart rate, slow your breathing, quieten your nervous system and trigger the release of sleep-friendly hormones.
In its Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep the National Institutes of Health recommends that “a relaxing activity, such as reading or listening to music, should be part of your bedtime ritual.” And a study by scientists in Hong Kong found that participants who listened to music for 30 to 45 minutes before bed fell asleep faster, slept more deeply, and felt better when they woke up.
Our connection to music transcends culture, geography and age. It has been used in healing and meditative practices for thousands of years. But of course everyone has their own tastes.
We compiled our favorite 10 tracks
to wind you down before sleep.
Follow beddable playlist on Spotify.
So what’s best to help you wind down? Our friends at Spotify have a number of curated collections. Here are some of our favourite tracks, which you can find on our own Spotify playlist: beddable.
Reverie: LUCHS
Weightless: Marconi Union
Debut: Melanie Laurent
Demi Sec: Sub-City Keys
Peace Piece: Bill Evans
Gymnopedie No. 1: Erik Satie
Solitude: Daigo Hanada
An Ending (Ascent): Brain Eno
Erin’s Waltz: Per Magnusson
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