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From sizes and styles to fabrics and weaves, find everything you need to know about bedding in our guide.
The average person spends one third of their lives asleep, so your bed really is worth investing in. But all the different options can get confusing, from percale to polycotton to pillowcases – and that’s where we come in. Our handy guide will take you through everything you need to know. Once you’ve read it, you’ll never make a bedding bungle again.
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finishing touches
If you’re new to buying bedding, the different terms can be kind of confusing. Worry not, here are some basic terms to get you putting your best foot forward when you're looking for what you need!
Duvet cover sets
A duvet cover set typically includes a duvet cover and one or two pillowcases, depending on the size of the duvet cover. Typically, a toddler and single set will include one matching pillow, and a double, king and super king will include two matching pillowcases. The pillowcases are usually for standard size pillows.
Pillowcases
A pillowcase is a cloth cover for your pillow. There are a number of different types, including housewife and oxford pillowcases.
Sheets
Both flat sheets and fitted sheets are a piece of cloth designed to go on top of your mattress to protect it and to feel soft as you sleep on it. A fitted sheet has elasticated edges or corners, to help you make your bed quickly and easily. A flat sheet does not have elasticated edges, but gives a neat look when tucked in.
Pillow shams
These are decorative pillowcases that are not designed to be slept on, but are an aesthetic addition to your bed. Discover more in our 'what is a pillow sham?' blog post.
Throws
Typically a smaller blanket, a throw is a stylish piece of fabric designed to look good and add a layer of warmth.
Cushions
A cushion is a bag of cloth stuffed with soft material – we use polyester and feather filling. They are both decorative and practical, adding style, colour and pattern to your bed but also making it more comfortable.
Bedspreads
A large blanket designed to cover your entire bed, layered on top of your duvet cover. They’re typically styled folded to reveal a duvet cover underneath. Get into the detail of what the difference is between bedspreads, throws and blankets.
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All our duvet cover sets and bed linen meet the UK standard:
| Name | Duvet Cover Set | Fitted Sheet | Flat Sheet | Quilt |
| Toddler | 120 x 150cm | 70 x 140 x 15cm | - | - |
| Single | 137 x 200cm | 90 x 190 x 32cm | 180 x 254cm | 135 x 198 x 5cm |
| Double | 200 x 200cm | 135 x 190 x 32cm | 230 x 265cm | 198 x 198 x 5cm |
| King | 230 x 220cm | 150 x 200 x 32 | 275 x 275cm | 228 x 219 x 5cm |
| Super King | 260 x 220cm | 180 x 200 x 32cm | 305 x 275cm | 260 x 220 x 5cm |
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What is bedding made from?, we hear you cry. Well, it can be made from different fabrics, with different weaves. Here are some of the most popular.
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most popular fabrics for bedding, and there are lots of reasons why. It’s breathable, soft, comfortable, hard-wearing, hypoallergenic – the list goes on! Read seven incredible benefits of 100% cotton bedding.
Polycotton
Polycotton is perfect for busy households. It’s made from a blend of polyester and soft cotton, giving you the best of both worlds. Polycotton is easy to clean, quick to dry and doesn’t need a lot of ironing.
Linen
Linen is durable, temperature regulating and soft. It even gets softer as you wash it – and, bonus, it doesn’t need to be ironed! Embrace its naturally relaxed, wrinkled look.
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The way your fabric is woven has different effects on the final product.
Percale
Percale is a tight, criss-cross weave pattern. It creates a smooth, matte finish with a crisp finish.
Brushed Cotton
Brushed cotton is, as the name suggests, cotton that has been brushed. It’s rubbed with a steel brush to bring up fine fibres, making it even softer than it was before. Brushed cotton is the perfect option for cosy wintertime bedding.
Tufted
Tufted fabric is fabric where cut strands or loops have been pushed through the weave to form a pile. Designs are created this way as you can create everything from waves and dots to Christmas trees and skulls.
Sateen
Sateen sheets are made from cotton fibres that have been mercerized and then weaved in a satin weave. This means that they have a beautifully glossy finish.
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Thread count is the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. Hypothetically, the more threads there are (and therefore the higher the thread count) the softer and finer the threads will be, and the softer, stronger, smoother and thicker the fabric will be. In theory then, the higher the thread count, the better quality the bedding, and the more comfy your bed will be.
However, this doesn’t always translate, as it can be easily manipulated. Want to find out more? Read our post on what thread count is and why it’s important.
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The fun bit! The design printed or woven into your duvet cover or bed sheet will help you create the bedroom of your dreams.
Floral
Florals can come in such a wide range of shapes and sizes that it’s hard to define. Go for big colourful blooms to make an impact, or ditsy little flowers for a more country style look.
Geometric
Go graphic with sharp lines and shapes. Whether it’s tufted chevrons, harlequin triangles or a honeycomb design, there’s lots to choose from.
Shop geometric duvet cover sets.
Abstract
Prefer something less uniform? Take a look at abstract patterns instead. From terrazzo to tie dye, you don’t have to fit into the mould with this design.
Shop abstract duvet cover sets.
Striped
Striped bedding is perfect for minimal and scandi spaces, especially in neutral colour palettes.
Shop striped duvet cover sets.
Jungle
Want to turn your bedroom into a tropical paradise? Then you’ll need leafy prints, exotic animals and bright blooms.
Animal
Love tigers? Monkeys? Forest critters? Whatever your fave, there’s an animal duvet cover for you that will perfectly match the rest of your home décor style too.
Plain
Sometimes, a punchy plain is all you need. Going for a high end hotel vibe? You’ll need white bedding. Want to indulge in texture? Plain dye is the perfect way to go for a waffle texture or super soft fleece.
Did you know? We design + make our duvet cover sets in house. Go behind the scenes and find our how in our blog post!
The final bits to make your bed the star of the room.
Cushions
No bed is complete without cushions! Whether you’re the pile ‘em high type or the perfectly placed, symmetrical type, cushions are a must have. They let you add even more colour, pattern and texture to your bed – and, bonus! You can change them out quickly and easily for a refreshed look.
Throws
Layer up your bed with throws for a comfy cosy feel. Drape them over the corner of your bed, lie them flat or even layer a couple. Feeling inspired? Check out 5 ways to style throws in your home.
Bedspreads
Big enough to cover the entire bed, a bedspread can make your bed feel put together in no time. Bigger than a throw, they’re perfect for layering on top of your duvet cover for extra snuggliness.
thumbnail and cover image credit: @my.interior.tales | products: stonehouse duvet cover set, jagger cushions.
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