Ever heard the cliché that life is too short for you to sleep on low thread-count sheets? Well, while this may not be a practicality in real life, the qualities of sheets that crown your bed are of utmost importance.
Apart from the fact that they conceal everything else underneath, bed sheets define how comfortable your sleep will be as they come into direct contact with your skin as you sleep. That's why you should strive to ensure that only the best sheets grace your cozy bed. Keep these tips in mind the next time you go shopping for a set of bed sheets.
What to consider when buying bed sheets.
Thread count.
Basically, thread count is the number of vertical and horizontal threads in a square inch of the sheet's fabric. It's usually denoted on the package of the bed sheet with an integer followed by a tc. As is common, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet feels. Even then, sheets with a thread count in the range of 200 to 350 tend to last longer in comparison to those higher thread counts. They're also comfortable on the skin. Likewise, sheets with a tc range of 180 to 200 are also durable though are less comfortable to sleep in.
Yarn and ply count.
In a fabric, yarn refers to its weight, thickness, and the coverage of the fabric. Ply, on the other hand, is the number of individual yarns used as a single strand of a bed sheet. The number of yarns determine how heavy the bed sheets are or otherwise. Be sure to go with a yarn count of the right density so that the sheet won't be too heavy for sleeping comfort.
The material used.
The material used in making the sheet is perhaps the most important metric that you should get right when solving the slumber puzzle of the ideal bed sheet. The sheet that you go for should generally be comfortable to sleep on and should also be durable. In addition, the sheet material should be such that it allows air to circulate easily. While there are many sheet fabrics in the market, cotton and linen fabrics remain the kings as they generally last longer, are comfortable and they do not affect your breathing. Silk satin sheets also merit some mention as they trap warmth making them ideal for cold climates.
Color fastness.
You'd want to choose a bed sheet with a color that doesn't come off every time you wash it. This is why you should ascertain that whichever sheet you opt to go for will not fade when you use bleaches or other cleaning products. A simple way to test if your favored sheet is color fast is rubbing it against a standard fabric such as crocking cloth.
Design of the bed sheets.
Bed sheets play a significant role in your overall bedroom theme and should therefore be chosen carefully. Settle for a set of sheet design that's not only inviting but also complements well with your bedroom's overall theme. This includes matching the color schemes, design and room texture.
Fit.
Getting ready to go shopping for your next bed sheets? Be sure to take the measurements of your mattress before leaving. Mattresses vary in sizes and so do bed sheets. That's why you should note down the necessary dimensions of your mattress. Specifically write down the distance from the head to the foot of the mattress, its breadth and depth.
Bottom Line.
Purchasing a set of convenient bed sheets are a truly worthwhile investment. Just as a good blanket provides the perfect warmth for a good night sleep, the right bed sheets provide comfort to your skin as you sleep. The tips above will prove valuable in your endeavor to choose the best sheets from the heaps on offer so keep them at your fingertips.
Inexpensive Ways to Give a Quick face lift to Your Living and Bedroom.
Your living room and the bedrooms are among the most used places in the house and should therefore be kept at their best. That's why you should strive to replace any out-of-fashion or aging fittings in the house from time to time so as to preserve the decor and touch of modernity of your house. For a majority of people though, refurbishing the house entail splurging an awful lots of cash to bring in new carpets, pieces of furniture, and other ageing stuff in the house. But you don't have to break the bank to revitalize these important rooms. This article highlights inexpensive ways you give your living room and bedroom a quick facelift. Read on.
1. Carpet flooring.
You don't have to fix expensive tiles on the ground to make the room look great. Buying a carpet is an ideal alternative to the tiles and it won't cost you a lot. The fact that there is a wide selection of color and carpet styles to choose from mean that you've a good chance to find something that seamlessly gels your living room main theme.
2. Go for Durries.
Durries make for a perfect floor covering as they are thick and come in different designs. Unlike carpets, durries are easy to maintain and aren't destroyed that easily by insects. But what actually sets them apart from other floor coverings is that they are portable, warm and can be used all year round. This means you can walk barefoot around the house as they're soft. They are also warm during the winter and cool during the summer. Smaller durries are a perfect fit for tables, telephone stands and flower vases and compliment the main floor durrie greatly.
3. Use runners and rugs.
Runners and rugs have, for long, been used in the hallways around the house. But with a little tweak, you can turn them into a perfect living room or bedroom décor. One way, for instance, is to use a pair of rugs to flank each side of your bed to create a soft stepping point in the morning and also bring about a sense of harmony and unity in the bedroom. You'll also have eliminated the need to buy a large rug that would cost much more. Rugs also come in handy in the entrance to the living room and the bedroom where people can wipe the dirt before going into the house.
4. Retouch duvet covers, pillow cases and replace window curtains.
With continued use, window curtains, duvet and pillow covers become rugged and too ordinary to be beautiful. But rather than going for new sets of duvets and pillows, you can simply retouch the old duvet covers and replace the aging pillow cases with some new ones that make the room brighter and elegant. You will, however, have to replace the window curtains with a new, better set. Fortunately, window curtains don't cost much.
5. Repaint the ceiling and the walls.
Painting the ceilings and walls in the living room and the bedroom is yet another great way to give your place a completely new and subtle look. Aside from being inexpensive, painting is also easy and you can, as such, experiment with different colors depending on your likes and dislikes.
6. Changing your lighting fixtures.
The lighting system has a great impact on your living room and the bedroom. With a little bit of some tweaks on the lighting system, you can turn your dull living room into a dazzling abode. You can use brighter bulbs, adopt a friendlier color or simply redesign the system. To your advantage, there are several affordable lighting systems to choose from.
Final word.
You don't have to go for a second mortgage to revitalize your aging living and bed rooms. With little bits of tweaks on the furniture, walls, and floor covers, you can turn your room into a warm and welcoming place as it has always been. Follow the tips above and you will surely not be disappointed.
