Wednesday, May 13, 2015

8 DO'S AND DON'TS OF MAKING THE PERFECT BED

Whether dressing a cozy retreat in your home or creating a picture perfect display in your store, you'll want to make a bed that checks all the boxes: comfortable, inviting, and beautiful. Here's some tips that have the Bella Notte Linens stamp of approval!

DO SELECT THE PERFECT SHEETING

We've all jumped into cheap flannel or jersey sheets that have caused us to sweat the night away and suffered scratchy material that pills after washing. Invest in a quality set of sheets and you'll never look back.
If you sleep warm at night, Linen is a natural fabric that will keep you cool in the summer and only get softer with washing. Live in chilly weather? A tencel fabric like Madera is not only sustainable and unbelievably soft, but it is also cozy and will ward off the chill. If you crave a crisp hotel sheet, go for cotton like our Trecento! And don't let the thread counts trick you into spending too much, any more than 600 TC and the fibers may be so thin that the material won't last long.

DON'T SKIMP ON THE SKIRT

Often an afterthought, the bed skirt (also known as a dust ruffle) not only keeps bunnies out from under your bed, it can also give the ensemble a more finished and full look. If the material is too thin, you can see through it, and you'll want to make sure to size the skirt to your frame so that it actually touches the ground.

Bella Notte bed skirts come in panels making it easy to remove one by one and toss in the laundry as necessary. And the 22" gathered skirt will make your bed look full and complete.



DO MIX TEXTURES

If you prefer to go with just one color for your bedding, consider including a Matelassé or Jacquard which are textured patterns woven into the fabric. While they are not printed or colorful, they are often tonal and can add dimension to your ensemble. Adele, Marguerite, and Mirabella are some gorgeous examples.


DON'T BE SO STIFF

Not every bed has to be a perfectly matched set. Choose a color theme and select one texture for your shams and another for your coverlet. Or choose a couple harmonic colors in the same fabric. Mix in a vintage throw or favorite family heirloom quilt so that it all combines to be a bed that uniquely reflects your style and personality.

**Side note, not every piece on your bed needs to be at a stiff right angle! If the throw blanket is a bit too small, give it an easy toss instead of folding to make it look larger. And it adds some texture making your bed perfectly imperfect!

DO SOFTEN THE EDGES

We've all slept in a hotel bed that looks like the gems below.  You can almost feel the springs digging into your back...nothing inviting about that!

The best solution is a quality mattress, but even a foam topper on your current mattress or feather bed under the fitted sheet for your display will round off those edges and make the bed look inviting, fluffy, and warm.


DO PICK THE RIGHT PILLOWS

Take that extra moment to read the dimensions on your Shams and pillow inserts before purchasing to ensure they are the right fit for each other. Even an inch or two off, and the covers can look sloppy.


If you have a full or queen bed, think about limiting the amount of decorative pillows to just your very favorites so you don't overwhelm the bed...or upset your partner! Alternatively if you have a larger bed, avoid small pillows like boudoirs that can look dinky.
Consider two matching Accents or Squares that you can put side by side for a clean, balanced look.


DON'T GO PRINT CRAZY

We love a good print. No, really! But while it can be fun to create a bohemian vibe with your decor, try to break it up with some solids. Make sure the larger staple pieces are colors or textures that will never go out of style, and then use bolder prints as accents. Remember your bedroom should create a soothing environment, the best sleepy colors being blue and yellow.


DO MIND YOUR HEADBOARD

The bed is generally the centerpiece for the decor in your bedroom. What story are you telling in this room? Do you have heavy wooden furniture? A romantic tufted headboard? A minimalist or modern iron frame? 

Your bedding should complement the furniture, not overwhelm it and vice-a-versa.

And now you've graduated from bedmaking 101! Go out into the world and send us photos of your beautiful beds! 

Are there any tips you would add to the list??

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