In Bedrooms

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In Bedrooms

Did you know that in order for your body to accomplish a restful sleep it must de-stress itself first? And that is done when you first fall asleep. How long it takes depends on how stressed out you are. The bedroom should be more than just a place to sleep. Of all the rooms your home, the bedroom should be a sanctuary - perhaps even the most the most soothing room in your home. If you believe what you have just read, you may want to consider the colors and furnishings accordingly. A monochromatic color scheme is best, as well as keeping with a less is more philosophy. Never take work to bed with you, TV's aren't supposed to be a good thing but I myself have one in my room and love nothing more than to wake up on a Sunday Morning, turn on the tube, drink coffee and stay in bed for a while.

In a bedroom, the bed is almost always the focal point. It is because of this that the bed and the bedding are pretty important. Later on, I'll add more to this page on color selections for the bedroom but for now lets discuss the most important aspect, bedding.

While attractive inexpensive sheets can be purchased anywhere, the axiom, "you get what you pay for" rings true. I remember years ago asking everyone who I thought was in the know why my sheets always ended up with those scratchy little balls on them. No one at the time could answer my question, and I began to research in pursuit of the soft, comfy sheet. I share with you here my findings:

Thread Count: Thread count refers to how many threads per inch are used to weave a sheet. When the number reaches 180, it's called percale, a standard weave for sheets. As the numbers climb higher, the sheets become softer and tend to last longer. Always buy sheets with the highest thread count you can afford. Thread count can go as high as 700 threads per inch, but most stores sell sheets with count that ranges from 180 to 320.

Cotton Polyester Blend: Cotton is softer and breathes better than a blend but tends to wear out sooner. A blend wrinkles less, even though all but the high end cottons come in permanent press. A high ratio of cotton to polyester is best, the sheets feel cooler and are softer to sleep on.

Egyptian Cotton: European sheets, especially Italian and French lines are coveted for their Egyptian Cotton, a long fiber that makes for a stronger, softer, more luxurious linen. They are also prized for their high thread count and craftsmanship. In recent years North American produced Egyptian Cotton sheets have been available and, while you won't get quite the same mileage as their European counterpart, you won't have to mortgage the house to purchase a set either. Egyptian Cotton is defiantly the way to go, your body will thank you. They may seem expensive, but a good set will last for decades and they don't get those scratchy little balls. I still don't know why! A set of good Egyptian Cotton sheets will run you a least a couple of hundred dollars.

Care Instructions: Wash your sheets in a mild detergent in warm water and avoid using bleach. Put them in the dryer on low, stop the cycle when the sheets are slightly damp, then let them air dry or sit in the open dryer for 10 minutes. Over drying wears out the cotton fibers. Avoiding the dryer altogether and hanging them out to dry is the most preferential treatment. Could they be any fresher?

Sheets 101:

Egyptian Cotton - the best cotton in the world. The longest and strongest fiber, used in towels as well.

Muslin - A white sheeting material that is heavier than percale but has fewer threads to the inch. Commonly used for sheets at one time.

Sateen - Cotton sheets with a high thread count but with a different weave that results in an even softer sheet. These don't get the scratchy little balls either. Second best to Egyptian cotton.

Percale - a closely woven cotton that is smooth and firm. The high end version of this sheet is woven with a slightly finer yarn and a closer weave than the lower end. 3rd best to the Egyptian Cotton.

Pima Cotton - Although I have yet to be convinced, experts in the field say these are second only to Egyptian cotton. Comprised of a similar long luxurious fiber.


	The Barefoot Robin \| home First Impressions \| Creating An Exquisite Room \| Houseplants \| Feng Shui \| The Conversation Room \| Collecting \| The Family Room \| On Bathrooms \| Where We Eat \| A Day In The Country! \| In Bedrooms \| Hostess Rewards \| Contact Us \| About Style \| Other Great Sites \| Products \| Feather Your Nest - Our Monthly Newsletter \| Services In Bedrooms Did you know that in order for your body to accomplish a restful sleep it must de-stress itself first? And that is done when you first fall asleep. How long it takes depends on how stressed out you are. The bedroom should be more than just a place to sleep. Of all the rooms your home, the bedroom should be a sanctuary - perhaps even the most the most soothing room in your home. If you believe what you have just read, you may want to consider the colors and furnishings accordingly. A monochromatic color scheme is best, as well as keeping with a less is more philosophy. Never take work to bed with you, TV's aren't supposed to be a good thing but I myself have one in my room and love nothing more than to wake up on a Sunday Morning, turn on the tube, drink coffee and stay in bed for a while. In a bedroom, the bed is almost always the focal point. It is because of this that the bed and the bedding are pretty important. Later on, I'll add more to this page on color selections for the bedroom but for now lets discuss the most important aspect, bedding. While attractive inexpensive sheets can be purchased anywhere, the axiom, "you get what you pay for" rings true. I remember years ago asking everyone who I thought was in the know why my sheets always ended up with those scratchy little balls on them. No one at the time could answer my question, and I began to research in pursuit of the soft, comfy sheet. I share with you here my findings: Thread Count: Thread count refers to how many threads per inch are used to weave a sheet. When the number reaches 180, it's called percale, a standard weave for sheets. As the numbers climb higher, the sheets become softer and tend to last longer. Always buy sheets with the highest thread count you can afford. Thread count can go as high as 700 threads per inch, but most stores sell sheets with count that ranges from 180 to 320. Cotton Polyester Blend: Cotton is softer and breathes better than a blend but tends to wear out sooner. A blend wrinkles less, even though all but the high end cottons come in permanent press. A high ratio of cotton to polyester is best, the sheets feel cooler and are softer to sleep on. Egyptian Cotton: European sheets, especially Italian and French lines are coveted for their Egyptian Cotton, a long fiber that makes for a stronger, softer, more luxurious linen. They are also prized for their high thread count and craftsmanship. In recent years North American produced Egyptian Cotton sheets have been available and, while you won't get quite the same mileage as their European counterpart, you won't have to mortgage the house to purchase a set either. Egyptian Cotton is defiantly the way to go, your body will thank you. They may seem expensive, but a good set will last for decades and they don't get those scratchy little balls. I still don't know why! A set of good Egyptian Cotton sheets will run you a least a couple of hundred dollars. Care Instructions: Wash your sheets in a mild detergent in warm water and avoid using bleach. Put them in the dryer on low, stop the cycle when the sheets are slightly damp, then let them air dry or sit in the open dryer for 10 minutes. Over drying wears out the cotton fibers. Avoiding the dryer altogether and hanging them out to dry is the most preferential treatment. Could they be any fresher? Sheets 101: Egyptian Cotton - the best cotton in the world. The longest and strongest fiber, used in towels as well. Muslin - A white sheeting material that is heavier than percale but has fewer threads to the inch. Commonly used for sheets at one time. Sateen - Cotton sheets with a high thread count but with a different weave that results in an even softer sheet. These don't get the scratchy little balls either. Second best to Egyptian cotton. Percale - a closely woven cotton that is smooth and firm. The high end version of this sheet is woven with a slightly finer yarn and a closer weave than the lower end. 3rd best to the Egyptian Cotton. Pima Cotton - Although I have yet to be convinced, experts in the field say these are second only to Egyptian cotton. Comprised of a similar long luxurious fiber. Copyright © 2001 Robin Popowich