Buying sheets is not as easy as it used to be or should be. There's such a wide variety of styles, colours and fabrics to choose from. You may go to a store wanting plain white cotton sheets but end up so confused because you have so many different types of cotton, that you may go home with the wrong one (in most cases) or end up buying something you don't want.
The amount of time you'll find yourself spending in trying to choose the right type of bed sheet can be VERY frustrating and buying online makes this process even harder because you can't FEEL how soft/rough the fabric is. Frankly speaking, most people would rather spend that valuable time doing something else.
Well, here are a few pointers you should keep in mind when you want to buy sheets for your bed or anybody else's bed for that matter. These are just a few simple 'rules of thumb' for selecting the right sheets. Once you understand these, there's no reason why you should not be able to choose the best sheets for yourself, your family and guests each and every time. You can literally order online as though you went to the store in person.
So here we go?in order of importance, here's what you should look for when shopping for sheets (click on each tem for an explanation):
1. The Weave
The very first thing to consider when buying ANY type of bed linen is the weave.
Simply put, the weave describes the way the individual fibers of the fabric have been woven or twisted together when the fabric was being made.
For example, if the fibers have been twisted together very tightly, then you get a sturdy fabric, but if the fibers were twisted together loosely, then you get quite a flimsy type fabric.
So in other words, the weave of the fabric will determine how crisp, smooth, wrinkly (especially after wash), cool (on the skin), soft, warm, clingy, durable and even how shiny your sheets will be.
2. Thread Count
The next thing to consider when shopping for sheets, after the weave, is the thread count.
The thread count is the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric and can range from 180 to over 2000 threads per square inch. The higher the thread count, the softer the fabric.
When shopping for a sheets look for thread counts of between 200 ? 250 as a bare minimum. The higher this figure gets, the more luxurious the bed linen!
Sheet prices are based on the thread count. The higher the thread count the more expensive the sheet.
Caution:
Although a high thread count would normally mean that you get a better quality of sheet, please don't consider thread count alone when making your buying decision. Remember that you may get a fabric with high thread count but of poor fabric quality and inferior weave! So consider everything if you want to buy the best.
3. Length of Fibers
The best types of sheets have a high thread count, good weave and are made with long fibers. Long fibers give sheets a silky smooth feel.
If you want fabrics that have long fibers and are generally smooth to the touch, you should look for Egyptian, supima and pima cottons. These cottons have the longest fibers around (Egyptian cotton has the longest fibers from group).
4. Standard Fabrics for Bed sheets
Fabrics come in two types; natural and synthetic.
Natural fabrics, like cotton, silk, linen and wool, are made by nature, whereas synthetic fabrics (nylon and polyester) are man-made.
As a general rule, natural fabrics are more breathable and most people find them more comfortable.
Synthetic fabrics are good value for money and are generally warm.
When choosing fabrics, quality is a must. Always look for a good combination of weave, thread count and fibers. Again, to make your life a just little easier, here's a list of some standard fabrics used in sheeting at present:
Cotton in general:
Excellent for comfort and durability. A natural fabric which is very breathable.
Egyptian Cotton:
The highest quality cottonavailable. Very long fibers, giving it great softness, luxury and smoothness. Feels great against the skin!
Supima and pima cottons:
Also have long fibres and feel soft and smooth to the touch.
Cotton and Polyester combination:
Although the polyester can pill over time, these types of fabrics wrinkle less and are easy to iron. The polyester adds durability to the fabric.
Silk:v As you know, silk is the QUEEN of luxury. This is also a natural fiber. It's value is measure on it's weight (it's called the 'momme weight'). The higher the momme weight is, the better the quality of the silk. An average silk sheet would weigh between 10-12 momme fabric.
Before you rush off to buy sheets for your bed, you must know what size sheets your bed will take! If you don't, you'll be wasting your time.
So be prepared. You should also measure the height of your mattress and keep this information with you when you choose your sheets.
Here are the basic sheet sizes you should keep in mind:
Twin: flat (66 x 96 inches), fitted (39 x 75 inches)
Full: flat ( 81 x 96 to 100 inches), fitted (54 x 75 inches)
Queen: flat (90 x 102-106 inches), fitted (60 x 80 inches)
King: flat (109 x 102-106 inches), fitted (78 x 80 inches)
California King: flat (102 x 110), fitted (72 x 84)
Lucia Izuogu
Buying bedding can be confusing and time-consuming -- But NOT Anymore!............
http//http://www.betterbeddingbuying.com
In interior design, the blinds found on windows and doors... Read More
Kitchen island sizes vary considerably from moveable cutting and serving... Read More
Like the storied countryside of England, grandfather clocks from that... Read More
If your furniture could do with a new look, then... Read More
Amish Furniture makes a home warm and welcoming. Hard woods,... Read More
Here's a decorating challenge just for fun in this hot... Read More
Over the past several months I have been actively working... Read More
One of the most highly sought after pieces of furnishings... Read More
There are ceiling fans designed especially for children, which have... Read More
How to decorate a teens bedroom is one of the... Read More
Outdoor wood stoves use renewable energy, are less expensive than... Read More
As you begin your search for a futon you should... Read More
Your house is something special. It's the place where you... Read More
Properly storing wine keeps flavor and lets wine age so... Read More
A duvet is a type of bedding, similar to a... Read More
Right now one of the most popular shows on television... Read More
Posters make great gifts. They are large but easy to... Read More
Adjustable beds are no doubt very expensive. But the benefits... Read More
Window and door blinds on windows and doors are chief... Read More
Art should be personal. Selecting pieces that you really love... Read More
Stainless steel has emerged as the most popular choice of... Read More
A room divider in a theme that compliments your d?cor... Read More
I love burning candles and have them all around the... Read More
Summer decorating is a wonderful time to lighten up the... Read More
Soap scum. Stiff clothing. Clogged pipes. No matter what you... Read More
street light repairs flood light led Pete's produce ..Oak was always used for furniture because of its strength... Read More
A little known fact: bamboo is technically not a tree... Read More
Some people have a natural artistic ability when it comes... Read More
Mounting health costs and cuts to government funding are making... Read More
Did you ever wish your bedroom was bigger or smaller?... Read More
Here's a decorating challenge just for fun in this hot... Read More
There is nothing like wood furniture to add elegance and... Read More
You've got so much tidying to do, so little time.... Read More
Have you been in a craft store or maybe gone... Read More
Over the past several months I have been actively working... Read More
There once was a time when the fireplace was the... Read More
Decorative picnic baskets come in many sizes, styles, and artistic... Read More
I love to surround myself with things from the past.... Read More
Wall art can be defined by family portraits or historical... Read More
Bunk bed mattresses are perhaps the most important kind of... Read More
I love burning candles and have them all around the... Read More
I spent a recent weekend curled up with a stack... Read More
Creating intimacy in a room is about finding a mixture... Read More
When I think of decorating a room with posters, I... Read More
Weights hanging from the bottom of your cuckoo clock keep... Read More
There was a time people thought the world was flat.... Read More
Electric adjustable beds are adjustable beds that can be automatically... Read More
The basic belief behind Feng Shui is that there are... Read More
What constitutes a balanced room according to feng shui theory... Read More
Among the varied accomplishments of it's inventor, the lamp was... Read More
Interior Design & Decorating Interior Design & Decorating |