Ah, bed. We spend, on average, one third of our lives in it, so you’d better be sure it’s a cosy, sleep-enhancing and aesthetically pleasing place to be.
There is absolutely no excuse for not having a bed set up that you cannot wait to fling yourself into after a long day or stay all wrapped up in on a lazy Sunday. If your duvet situation has a lot to be desired, fear not. We’ve listed our favourite bedding destinations here along with a few top tips on how to bag a bargain. Sweet slumbering, let’s be having you.
What to look for
You’ve often heard people talk about thread counts, so what is all the fuss about and should you really be concerned? Cotton sheet quality is evaluated by thread count, literally the number of threads in the fabric. The higher the thread count the softer and more durable the sheet. Your average high street bed linen comes in at around 200, while expensive sheets are up around the 400 mark. Be warned; loads of companies nowadays offer 700 and 800 hundred thread count. It’s a lie. The highest thread count you can get from good quality cotton is 400 – any higher and the suppliers are generally spinning very low quality cotton together to create a super high thread count. You can check your sheet’s quality by holding it up to the light – the less light that shines through, the better quality the sheet.
Always choose organic, Egyptian and Pima cottons instead of synthetic materials.
Invest in great quality sheets from brands like Yves Delorme (available at Arnotts), V&A (at House of Frasier), BeDeck and Behrens.
How do you sleep?
When it comes to pillows, how you sleep can determine what kind of pillow will suit you best. Soft pillows are ideal for those of you who sleep on your bellies (to ensure you don’t strain the muscles in your neck), back sleepers need medium to firm pillows to gently support their heads, while side sleepers need a firmer pillow to support neck and spine.
Department stores like Debenhams, Dunnes and Homestore And More will have every variety pillow you need.
A few of our favourite go-tos
So, quality sheets and pillows invested in, it’s off to the highstreet to find some beautiful new covers to brighten your bedroom. Here are some of our favourite go-to stores.
Zara Home
We love their high quality, super feminine bedspreads from €30.
Marks and Spencer
M&S is your Mammy’s choice for a reason. The bedding choices here are excellent, and they do a classic set for about €54.
H&M
H&M Home’s offering is a little lower in thread count, but great for a more affordable option. This set starts from €39.99.
Laura Ashley
Quality cotton and they have regular sales online, so keep your eyes peeled for a bargain. This set is down to €52.
Dunnes
Specifically Paul Costelloe and Carolyn Donnelly collections, from €50.
The White Company
Regarded as one of the best suppliers around, The White Company have amazing bed linen collections from €30.
Brooklinen
We came across this amazing company while in New York, run by a couple who have cut out the middle men to make bedding cheaper. The quality is really good, and while you’ll pay a little for shipping, it’s totally worth it.
Frette
Have you ever wanted to recreate a hotel bed experience at home? We love Frette, famed for producing bed linen for some of the most luxurious hotels in the world. You can buy their collections for your home here.
Top tip: Check out Harvey Norman’s sale stock (always great bed linen for a bargain) and the Arnotts warehouse sale this weekend for better bedding for less.