HOW TO CHOOSE THE OPTIMAL TYPE OF BED LINEN?

The condition of our bedrooms and, most importantly, our beds and bedding is a major factor in the quality of sleep we get every night.

Research shows that people who make beds are happier, more productive, stick to a budget, and have more restful sleep than those who don't make beds (you know who you are). There are even sleep doctors whose sole purpose is to teach us this basic principle. You can see more details.

Talk to any interior designer and they'll tell you the same thing - don't skimp when it comes to choosing your bed and bedding. This is the equivalent of wearing ill-fitting, scratchy, or worn-out clothing for about 8 hours a day and expecting to be in great shape. An unlikely scenario.

However, the world of bedding is quite a vast one and is riddled with so much terminology and jargon that it can be a little confusing for the unversed among us.

If you've ever found yourself at a loss as to what exactly thread count means or what the best types of sheet materials are, read on—our resident expert Sue Smart is on hand to banish the question marks.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT BLANKET AND PILLOWS FOR YOUR BED LINEN

Before you start with more luxurious bedding and accessories, think about the basics of your bed. A bed isn't a bed without a cloud blanket (and by cloud blanket we mean those fluffy cotton wool types) or perfectly fitting pillows. “After about 10 years of use, your duvet may need to be replaced,” advises Sue, a former Harrods customer for over 30 years. “Choose a blanket that suits your bedroom. Think about whether it gets hot, etc., and how warm or cold you and your partner feel in bed.”

For duvets, one of the most important characteristics is its rating. If you're wondering what a tog rating means, it's a measure of warmth and ensures you'll enjoy sleeping at the optimal temperature for the season. In summer, use 2.5 to 4.5 g in spring, autumn and generally use 9 to 10 g and in winter, 12 to 13.5g. All season duvets—the ideal scenario, Sue tells us, is with “two duvets (light and medium weight) that can be used separately in spring, summer and autumn, and then buttoned together, to make it very warm for winter.”

Duvet cover design and shell are two other factors that are important to consider. Quilting and baffles (walls of fabric that create individual chambers in the duvet cover) are the best way to maintain the duvet cover's shape and warmth, while "a high-quality, durable shell will improve the weight and handle (feel) of the duvet cover."

Pillows should be soft enough to be comfortable, but firm enough to give adequate support to your head, neck and shoulders. A test to see if it's time to replace your pillow is to place it on your arm—if it's hanging down, it's time for a new one.