You know we spend a third of our lives sleeping [1], but it still astonishes me how much people are not willing to invest in their bed. I'm not just talking about sheets or the mattress — I'm talking the whole package, from the bed frame to every last feather in your pillows. I've always been obsessed with my bed [2]. I choose hotels based on how comfortable their beds are and I may have even recently started a fight with my mom over the quality of her guest bed linens. Call me a bed snob, but I'm pretty much the coziest person at night, and I think everyone else should be too.
It's time you put money into your bed so you can have even better nights of sleep [3], fewer sleep interruptions [4], and thus, better days (I'm telling you, this is in an investment in you), and to that end, I'm outlining each important piece that your coziest bed ever needs, no matter your preferences.
The Bed Frame
This is your foundation, but just because it's your foundation doesn't mean you have to spend a ton on it (here are a bunch of options [6] starting at $90). You do need to know what kind of mattress you have, because that dictates what sort of bed frame you need. Memory foam and inner spring (the traditional kind) mattresses can both work on a platform bed (the Floyd Bed [7] is a stylish, affordable platform bed at $650 for a full/queen), while inner spring mattresses require a box spring on a bed frame without slats or a platform. That comes down to style preference, but I believe a platform bed actually makes for a more comfortable night's sleep since they're so firm and supportive.
However, bed style may not be the only factor that sways your decision; not using a box spring may void your mattress warranty [8].
The Sheets
I know I've said the bed is your foundation, and the mattress is the single most important element of the bed, but the sheets are high up there too. Again, like mattresses, sheets preference is subjective, but there are some basic rules to follow, no matter what you like.
- Always go for 100 percent natural fibres. That means cotton, linen, satin, bamboo, etc. It sounds obvious, but some sheets are polyester or polyester blends, and they don't breathe like cotton [9], stain easily, and can pill. For comfort factor alone, avoid sheets with polyester or any other man-made fabric.
- Thread count doesn't really matter. Don't tell Tom Haverford [10], but high thread count equaling better sheets is a myth [11]. The fabric and the weave is far more important.
- Avoid special treatments. Any time a sheet promises some flashy feature like wrinkle resistance, it usually means it's been treated with chemicals. (P.S. Do you really need wrinkle-free sheets? Just make your bed [12].
So which sheets to choose? I'm a diehard linen sheet fan [13] and will always recommend these, which get softer and softer with every wash, and keep you cool on Summer nights and warm on cold Winter ones. They're not everyone's cup of tea though, and I occasionally like the feel of a crisp cotton sheet. If you like getting into bed and feeling that cold sheet sensation on your legs, look for percale cotton sheets. If it's Winter and you want a seriously cosy feel, you can also go for flannel sheets (if you're not a nighttime sweat-monster like myself).
You also don't have to splurge on sheets if you're trying to save somewhere. On the lower end, Target has some great options (just follow the above rules), Pottery Barn has excellent mid-range sheets, and if you're splurging, then look for a brand like Frette. And then please invite me over for a sleepover.
The Pillows
Pillows are another bed element you really need to be vigilant about replacing if you want to have your best nights of sleep, because inadequate support or allergens can really wreck your night. You should replace pillows every couple of years and regularly wash them, because after two years, one-third of your pillow's weight contains dead skin, bugs, dust mites, and their droppings [14]. It's hard to get cosy when you remember that, so keep 'em clean.
Also, softer isn't necessarily better when it comes to pillows. The most important factor in pillow selection is that you have the right kind of support. Some people love feather pillows, but I personally lean toward foam pillows for firm neck support. If you keep waking up with a sore one, and you know it's not your mattress, experiment with different kinds of pillows.
The Duvet
Ah, the final element. The cherry on top, if you will. I'm all for different preferences, but unless you have an allergy to down, the down comforter is the holy grail of mattress coverings. The right down comforter will do the most to envelope you in a world of snug, and you can use them year-round depending on the weight of the comforter you buy (look for an all-season comforter if you want to use it year-round).
While you don't have to blow your budget on every bed element, a duvet cover is a worthy splurge. If you don't go for a quality down cover, you may end up with one that has shifting feathers (leaving you cold in spots at night), or feathers that poke through (not a feeling that keeps you dreaming). Duvet covers are optional, but I believe they make your bed feel even more luxurious, and it's a lot easier to clean them than an entire comforter.
Still not convinced to go the down route? The Buffy comforter [15] ($160 for a full/queen) is made with eucalyptus fibres instead and keeps you nice and cool at night. Either way, you're about to embark on your most epic journey of coziness. Sweet dreams.