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Bedding Essentials: Here’s Everything You Need

Your bed should be your favorite place in your entire house. It's where you unwind, recharge, and get those ever-valuable 7+ hours of sleep. So making sure it’s well equipped with all of the most necessary bedding essentials is a total must!

Whether you’re starting fresh in a new space or just giving your sleep setup an upgrade, knowing what bedding essentials you need is key. 

From practical pieces to fun, cozy extras, we’re breaking down everything you need to create a sleep space that feels (and looks!) absolutely amazing.

The Basic Building Blocks of Bedding

So what are the bedding essentials? With traditional bedding, you'll need the following:

  • sheets
  • a comforter or duvet
  • pillowcases and shams

Of course there are other items that you can use to enhance the look and comfort level of your bedding set up, but these are the basics you'll need on hand.

A man pulling the zipper on a set of white zipper sheets in a well lit bedroom with a woven rug and a plant in the corner.

Sheets

When it comes to bedding essentials, you’re going to want to start with your sheets. You’ll need a fitted sheet and a top sheet to create the best bedding setup.

Everyone is going to have different preferences when it comes to bed sheets. What’s ideal for one person is going to be completely different for someone else! When considering what your best bed linens are, it all comes down to personal preference. To find your perfect sheets, here are a few things you can consider:

  • Material: look for a set of sheets that are made with high quality material. 100% cotton is a great place to start, is easy to find, and generally a crowd pleaser. 
  • Care + Durability: a quality set of sheets can handle frequent washing without pilling or fading. Look at reviews on the sheets you’re considering before purchasing to see what other people’s experiences have been!
  • Style: while it may not be the most important aspect of choosing a set of sheets, the look and aesthetic will have an impact, so keep that in mind as you’re shopping around.

A primary bedroom with a four poster bed made with a striped duvet and neutral bedding accessories, a brown textured bench at the foot of the bed and nightstands on either side of the bed.

Comforter or Duvet

The next piece of bedding you’ll need is your top layer. The most common choices are comforters and duvets.

The main difference between comforters and duvets is the way that the interior “stuffing” is handled. Comforters come with the interior sewn in, while duvets come in two pieces, the cover and the insert. You can remove the insert to wash the cover, or you can swap it out for another duvet cover.

Not sure if you want a comforter vs. duvet? Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

  • Do I like to switch up my bedding style often? If so, a duvet will give you more flexibility over time.
  • How warm do I sleep? Duvets offer flexible layering, while comforters offer consistent warmth.
  • Am I okay with assembly? With a comforter, you pull it from the dryer after a wash and it’s ready to go back on the bed. With a duvet, you’re looking at some additional assembly before you can snuggle up in bed again.
  • What kind of look do I want? Comforters have a structured, uniform look, while duvets tend to look more lofty and voluminous.

 A woman arranging a pillow in a white pillowcase at the head of her bed.

Pillows, Pillowcases, and Shams

And of course, what is a bedding setup if you don’t have pillows? Pillows are an absolute must. Not only do they add the perfect amount of comfort for your head and neck, but they play a huge role in supporting your head, neck, shoulders, hips, and spine.

Most sheet and bedding sets come with pillowcases and shams that match the rest of the bedding. Pillowcases are intended for sleeping, while shams are often on the more decorative side and are typically used to make your bed look nice.

You may find that you want a pillowcase that is different from the one that came with your bedding set. It could be that you want a satin pillowcase that is gentle on your skin and hair, a cooling pillowcase to help regulate your temperature at night, etc.

When purchasing an individual pillowcase, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting it in the right size. There are two pillow sizes, standard and king size.

So how big is a standard pillowcase? What is the size of a king size pillowcase? Here are the dimensions to keep in mind:

  • Standard Pillowcases: 26” x 20”
  • King Pillowcases: 36” x 20”

A girl pulling the zipper on her textured gray zipper bedding in a bedroom with floral wallpaper and a painted pink door.

Simplifying Your Setup: All-in-One Bedding Options

Another option to consider when looking at bedding essentials is zipper bedding. Instead of purchasing sheets, your top layer, and your pillowcases from separate places, get everything you need in one piece!

Beddy’s zipper bedding gives you your bedding all in one unit, with your fitted sheet and top comforter connected by two zippers that run up either side of the bed. Your top sheet is sewn into the inside of your comforter, and you can choose between crisp cotton and ultra-cozy minky. Every set comes with pillowcases and shams, so with Beddy’s, you truly get all of your bedding essentials in one easy purchase.

In the world of unique bedding, zipper bedding is one of the most unique and most acclaimed. People are raving about their Beddy’s zipper bedding, and with over 50,000 5-star reviews, it’s clear to see that it’s a winner.

Extra Layering and Accessories

Now that you have your bedding essentials lined out, let’s talk about some of the fun extras you can throw in! 

While they may not be essential to your setup, the right layering pieces and bedding accessories can bring an element of coziness and style that will easily elevate your bedroom.

Blankets and Throws

Blankets and throws are one of the easiest and fastest ways to tie a room together. If you’re looking to add some color or texture to your space, folding up a blanket and laying it at the foot of your bed can easily add that touch.

What’s better, if you find you get a little chilly in the night, just pull that blanket over you for a little extra warmth. It’s a total win-win!

A husband and wife arranging throw pillows on a four poster bed that is made with light blue floral zipper bedding.

Decorative Pillows

Similar to blankets, decorative pillows give you the freedom to tie in additional colors and textures to your bedroom. Coordinate them with your bedding and throw blankets, and don’t let anyone talk you out of layering those pillows to your heart’s content!

Bed Skirt

Another simple bedding accessory you could consider is a bed skirt. Bed skirts can help to create a polished look in your bedroom, concealing clutter and adding visual height to your bed.

There are plenty of bed skirt options to choose from, so it’s easy to find one to compliment your bedding!

4 Tips for Styling Your Bed

Intentionally Choose Colors, Patterns, and Textures

When it comes to styling your bed, you’ll want to start by thoughtfully selecting tones and textures that fit your style and set the right mood and feeling for your room.

Wanting to keep things calm and cozy? Or are you wanting to be bold and expressive? Both of these vibes require a very different kind of color scheme and texture choice. Consider what you want your room to look and feel like and act accordingly!

A young girl arranging throw pillows and blankets on top of her pink zipper bedding set.

Layer, Layer, Layer

Bring on the pillows and throws, layering your bedding accessories is a fantastic way to get the elevated look you’re wanting. Fold up a chunky blanket at the foot of your bed and toss a throw over the top. Play with pillows of different textures and sizes. The possibilities are endless!

Create Symmetry with Pillow Arrangements

Speaking of layering pillows, one of our favorite pillow arrangement tips is to create symmetry. Gather up all of your decorative pillows and arrange them on your bed from largest to smallest, starting with the larger pillows at your headboard and working your way down. 

Arranging your pillows this way creates a visual flow that will leave you excited to make your bed every morning just so you can admire the beauty of it all.

Play with Seasonal Swaps

Perhaps one of the funnest ways to style your bed is to lean into holidays and seasons. Bring in some fun reds and snowflake embroidery during the holidays. Swap out your everyday blankets and pillows for floral prints and pastel tones during springtime. 

These subtle changes can serve as a fun nod to the changing seasons while adding a fresh change to your bedroom.

A toddler boy leaning against a bed made with gray zipper bedding and pulling the zipper shut.

Beddy’s: All Your Bedding Essentials in One Piece

Having all of the right bedding essentials is an absolute must for creating a bedroom that feels like a retreat from your everyday whirlwind. Here at Beddy’s, you’ll find everything you need to create an inviting haven for yourself.

From all-in-one zipper bedding sets to duvets to all of the bedding accessories you could ever dream of, you’ll find that Beddy’s is your one stop shop for unique bedding that will quickly become the best bed linens you’ve ever experienced.

Shop now and get ready to transform your space!


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