We are talking bedding again people. The body and mind has to rest. A good night's sleep is a great reward for a day at work or play. It's important that you are as comfortable as possible. One way to ensure a good rest is sleeping under bed coverings that make you the most comfortable. Hear me. I did not say the most expensive or stylish. I said most comfortable. Well comfort is a feeling we get when we lie in bed. But comfort is also how we feel about the price and the design. But today we are diving under the covers. What do you have over your bed sheets? You will most likely respond – "a bedspread" or "a comforter". We lump all outer coverings into one category.
A bedspread is an outer bed covering that goes right to the ground. Your comforter is a bit poufy (some more than others) and typically is just a bit longer than your mattress. A coverlet also is just about the same length but typically has no filling. A duvet resembles a comforter, but is smaller and lighter. A duvet just covers the bed and has a removable cover. Whether or not you sleep under these coverings or they are merely decorative is all up to you. This is actually a big age-old debate and it all boils down to what your mother taught you. In temperate climates they layer the beddings in winter for warmth. In our climate, it depends on how comfortable it is for you. That is a factor of the fabric, the weight and the filling... and how hot your bedroom is. If all of this is too much for you, snuggle under the top sheet of a light blanket. For decorative effect use a bed scarf or scaldino. That's a narrow draping at the foot of the bed that looks like a folded coverlet or blanket – purely for decorative 'comfort'. From what I observe lately, people are moving away from the heavy quilted bed covering. Duvets are gaining popularity.
After all it has the benefit of being easy to keep clean – just change the cover! Plus you can easily change the duvet cover with your mood and for a different look. What's more comfortable than that? Typically your duvet cover covers a light comforter. I am also seeing more coverlets – the shorter lighter cousin of the bedspread. The full bedspread is losing ground I guess because of its weight and maintenance complications. Home owners who use hotels occasionally or those who browse the higher- end design magazines are also turned on to the scaldino. They use these over just the bed sheets or over the duvet or comforter. By itself, the scaldino is also a cost effective way of dressing up the bed. That's comfort for your pocket! Now comforters and duvets have fillings. Fillings are a major determinant of price. I am a firm believer in not paying more than is necessary here. Why buy a higher priced warm filling when you don't need warmth?
Down filling is one of the most expensive. It will keep you warm. If you have allergies, down can kill you! Down is actually duck or goose feathers. Goose down is fluffier and softer. With down fillings you must have high thread count covers so the feathers don't poke you. Laundering down can be tricky. It is difficult to dry. Other fillings such as silk, buckwheat hulls, bamboo and other organic stuffing is also used. But by far the most popular fillings are polyester and cotton or a blend between them. Cotton is the most comfortable. But polyester and polyester cotton are also great contenders; being comfortable for the pocket also. Some fillings are made to mimic the softness and lightness of down, without the maintenance issues and in some cases the ultra warmth. The choice is yours. What is your choice under the covers?
