I love my bed - and I think everyone should feel the same way about theirs. Creating a cozy, comfortable bed starts with understanding all the elements that go into it. Here’s a breakdown of the bedding basics to help you build a bed you’ll love climbing into every night.
Sheets
From linen to cotton and everything in between, there are lots of options when it comes to sheets. Since this is the part of your bedding that touches your skin, it’s important to choose what feels best for you.
• Linen is perfect for keeping you cool and has a relaxed, casual look. I always recommend it for people who don’t love making the bed every day - its naturally wrinkled texture embraces the "effortless" feeling. It can be a little scratchy at first, but it softens over time with use and washing.
• Cotton sheets typically fall into two main weaves: percale and sateen.
- Percale is a plain weave with a cool, crisp finish - think hotel sheets.
- Sateen is a satin weave that feels smoother and has a subtle sheen.
Thread count matters with cotton: a count between 200-800 is considered good quality, but I recommend aiming for 400+ for softness and durability.
• Silk sheets are luxurious and often praised for being gentle on hair and skin. Mulberry silk is generally the highest quality, but whatever type you choose, look for a momme weight of 14+ (momme is like the silk version of thread count).
My personal favorite? 800 thread count sateen!
Silk sheets are luxurious and have a reputation for being great for your hair and skin. There are many types of silk (Charmeuse, Mulberry, Habotai, Duppoini) and quality within each type can vary greatly. Typically Mulberry silk is considered the best quality, but make sure to look for silk with momme weight of 14+ (this is like thread count for cotton).
My personal favorite sheets are 800 thread count sateen!
Pillows
Let’s start with sleeping pillows - the ones your head actually rests on.
• Down pillows are filled with a mix of down and feathers. Look for an 80/20 down-to-feather ratio (often labeled as "premium") to get the best comfort and loft.
• Down-alternative pillows are filled with synthetic fibers that are usually hypoallergenic. These tend to hold their shape better over time, which is why I personally prefer them.
The right fill level depends on how you sleep:
- Side sleepers → firm
- Back sleepers → medium
- Stomach sleepers → soft
Now onto decorative pillows, or shams. While people love to joke about the "excessive" number of pillows on a bed, shams actually help keep your sleeping pillows clean and are great for propping yourself up while reading. They’re also a fun way to add color and style to your bed.
Shams come in different sizes - standard, king, euro, etc. I like to layer mine: a large pillow against the headboard, sleeping pillows in front of that, standard shams next, and maybe a small throw pillow or two to finish it off.
Duvet
In my opinion, every bed needs a duvet. It’s the coziest way to sleep, and there are versions for both warm and cool seasons.
Like pillows, you’ll find both down and down-alternative duvet inserts. While I prefer down-alternative for pillows, I go with down for duvets. I find that synthetic fills tend to trap more heat and don’t breathe as well. A quality down duvet keeps me comfortable year-round and holds its loft beautifully over time.
Blanket
A blanket layered over or under your duvet adds both style and flexibility for different temperatures. Whether it’s a quilt, a cotton waffle weave, or a lightweight throw, I recommend choosing something made from natural fibers. They tend to breathe better and last longer than synthetic options.
Put Simply
Your bed should be your personal sanctuary - a place that feels as good as it looks. Whether you're a minimalist who loves crisp cotton sheets or someone who leans into layers of texture and cozy throws, the right bedding makes all the difference. Hopefully this guide gives you a clearer picture of the options out there so you can build a bed that’s perfectly tailored to your sleep style and aesthetic.
Check out my other posts - I share more about how to mix colors, play with patterns, and my go-to bedding picks to bring it all together.