How to Choose the Best Bedding Ensembles
There are so many bedding ensembles available these days that it’s difficult to know what to choose to achieve your dream bedroom. Here are some guidelines which will help you make your selection when you are ready to shop.
1. The Design
This is the aspect we are most likely to think about when making our choice of bedding ensembles and the one which is the most fun! Many bedding sets are built around a pattern or colorway, others around a theme. Some designs are romantic and feminine, other are designed for guys and some are more neutral. Think about the effect you are trying to create in your bedroom and choose a bedding ensemble which matches this.
2. The Make up of the Set
Find out what is included in the bedding ensembles you have your eye on. Some contain only sheets and pillow shams and duvet cover while others have a whole lot more such as a comforter, matching cushions, throws, bed skirt etc. Sometimes you can buy a basic bedding ensemble and add in the items you require – sometimes you have to buy the whole bed in a bag set. What do you require and what is available in the collection?
3. The Quality of the Materials
Consider the fabrics used within the bedding ensemble and how they will stand up to wear especially for bedding which will be in daily use.
The thread count of fabric determine its quality. Sheets can be anything from 80 to 12000 thread count and good quality sheets are generally from 180 to 500 thread count but that’s not the only factor in quality. You need to consider the fabric too. Look for a high cotton percentage with a satin finish for comfortable bedding next to the skin.
4. The Color and Pattern
When choosing colors it may be easiest to start with your a bedding ensemble and use those as the colors on which to base the room. If your room has already been decorated take care to select something which enhances the color scheme of the room. Consider the walls, flooring and curtains before you make your choice because the bed is a huge expanse within the overall scheme. You can choose to blend or contrast the colors but it is best to stay within the same color family. For example, even if you choose a neutral shade you will do better to go with cream if your room has warm tones or white if your room has cooler, sharper colors. Be careful not to have too many patterns competing with each other within your room unless the colors of each pattern look like they are part of a set. Unless you are an expert would avoid mixing patterns which have not bee designed to go together.
Inviting warm tones for peaceful sleep
5. Your Bed
Remember to take into account the style, shape and measurements of your bed when choosing your bedding set and accessories. I have a French antique bed at home which is lovely but it needs a custom mattress and custom bedding to match. Fitted sheets are not an option. Nor are valances which do not fit and which cover up the ornate carving along the sides of the bed. Modern bedding would look ugly on such a bed. Some beds suit a more country look. Some a contemporary bedding ensemble. It’s all part of making an overall look and theme for your dream bedroom.
6. Your Budget
Prices of bedding ensembles vary widely from hundreds of dollars for designer luxury bedding sets to a more modest price for the budget sets. Of course in many cases you get what you pay for but you may want to set yourself a budget before you start looking so you don’t get carried away. If your budget is small at the moment it may be worth buying a basic quality ensemble (which will last) and brightening it up with inexpensive pillows and a throw to give your bedroom the designer look without breaking the bank.
7. Your Patience
Nothing looks worse than a bedroom with an unmade bed. If a bedding ensemble needs to be “just so” to look great then you need the patience to put it back together again every morning when you get up. If you know you’re always rushed for time select something simple – where a minute or two will have your bedroom looking good. Bedding ensembles shouldn’t need too much assembling!
Bedding Ensembles: Color Schemes Made Easy
If you are looking for a brand new color scheme for your bedroom and you don’t know where start then there’s one easy place to begin which will help you no end – bedding ensembles.
Let me explain. All will become clear soon I promise.
With the huge range of bedding ensembles on offer you are bound to find one which appeals. They are available at all price levels and in all styles and color-ways, with different patterns and themes.
Look for a bedding collection you like which has several colors in the design – ones which you feel go well together. Make sure that you like the style of the bedding you picked as this will form the center-piece to your room and that it is within your budget. You want to make sure at the very least that you are able to buy the major items in the pattern you picked.
Now here’s the thing. This design can form the basis for a whole color palette for your room – they have already been thought through for you by experienced and talented designers. They work well together and you like them.
But how do you translate the color scheme from a bedding ensemble to a room?
First of all pick three or four colors you like from the design you selected – one light, one or two medium tones and a dark (or bright) tone.
Make a note of your colors for when you go shopping.
If you don’t already have the bedding ensemble of your choice, get some paint charts and clip the colors from the charts which closely match the design so that you have an easy way to remember when out shopping and selecting items.
Paint charts: great to find your color when shopping
If you do own the bedding you can always take around a small part of the ensemble (such as a patterned pillow sham) when shopping but the colors from the paint charts help here too in case you see something when you started out without any intention of shopping! Just keep them in your purse until your room is complete!
So how do you use these colors?
Use the light color to select the right shade for the largest area of your room and that is generally the walls. This will typically be a white or off-white cream magnolia shade but it may also be a slightly darker color such as beige, pale grey or a light pastel shade.
The medium colors can be used for soft furnishings other than the bed – such as the carpet or rug, curtains, a tablecloth covering a bedside table or an easy chair or sofa. Make sure you don’t have all these items matching – that would be overpowering. That’s when two medium colors which go together come in handy for some variation.
The darkest color is great for accent touches – little accessories which brighten a room and take away any blandness. You can have fun selecting these.
So from looking at a few bedding ensembles you can get your whole room scheme sorted out as well as your sheets, comforter, pillow shams and bed skirt chosen! For inspiration and to get started, take a look at some bedding ensembles in catalogs, at a bedding super store or online to get some ideas of your favorite color schemes.
Welcome to Bedding Ensembles Central!
