If there’s one area of home decoration in which extra special care and attention is needed, it’s the bedroom. Ensuring you get a good night’s sleep is a key factor when it comes to living a happy, healthy and productive life, while taking the time to coordinate the colour scheme and design of your bedding will give your room a harmonious feel.

So whether you’re kitting out the master bedroom, adding the finishing touches to your children’s rooms or preparing a spare bedroom for guests to enjoy, choosing the right bedding is crucial. But with so many options on the market, how can you know which is right for you and your unique circumstances?

As a UK supplier of wholesale bedding, at Homefords we understand the importance of getting those kind of interior décor decisions right – but we also know how daunting the task can be. That’s why we’ve compiled this handy bedding buying guide to help you narrow down the search for your ideal bedding.

Find the answer to your bedding questions:

• Which size is right for me?
• Which bedding pieces should I buy?
• Which material should I choose?
• Does thread count matter?
• Which design should I choose?
• Talk to our bedding experts

Which size is right for me?

First thing’s first – you’ll want to make sure you choose linen that’s actually going to fit your bed. After all, there’s nothing worse than stretching your bed sheet as tight as it can go to fit your mattress, only to wake up in the middle of the night with a crumpled tangle of sheets beneath you. To keep things simple, we stock bedding in the following five dimensions:

Single bed

We know that not everyone has enough space for a double bed in every room, which is why we stock a wide variety of single bedding options. Attractive on the eye and luxuriously soft to the touch, our single bedding range has been designed to create a chic yet comforting impression, whilst maximising the available space in the room.

Three-quarter bed

Midway between a single bed and a double bed, a three-quarter bed is perfect for solo sleepers who crave a little more elbow room than a standard single. They’re also ideal if you want to make the most out of a room with smaller dimensions and squeeze in more than just a bedframe. Our three-quarter bed linen is therefore the ideal compromise between comfort and space.

Double bed

The most popular choice for bedrooms up and down the country, a double bed works equally well in a master bedroom or a guest room. We have a range of stylish double bedding options for you to choose from, guaranteed to add elegance and flair to any room in which they are placed.

King-size bed

Ever wanted to live like a king? Now you can, with the eye-catching range of king-size bed linen from Homefords. As well as combining aesthetic excellence with tactile bliss, our king-size bedding is also crafted from the highest quality materials to ensure it stays as impressive and inviting as the day it was purchased.

Super king-size bed

Who said indulgence was a bad thing? For those with the space to accommodate a super king-size bed, it can enhance the quality of their sleep and gives an unrivalled amount of space in which to unwind. Unfortunately, tracking down super king-size bedding can often be tricky, but we’ve got plenty of options to keep you covered.

Bedding size chart

Which bedding pieces should I buy?

After determining which size of bedding you require, the next step is figuring out which pieces you need. If it’s a brand new bed, you’ll likely be in the market for a bedding bundle. On the other hand, you might wish to upgrade only certain items or mix and match pieces from different sets to create your own unique end result. Whatever approach you take, you should consider the following items:

Mattress protectors

Despite often being overlooked, mattress protectors are a sound investment for any homeowner and are even more important for those in the hospitality and tourism trades. A quality mattress protector will help your mattress last longer and keep it safe from accidental spillages, water damage and staining. It will also repel allergens.

Bed sheets

Perhaps the most fundamental aspect of any linen set, a trusty bed sheet should be the starting point of your search. There are several styles to choose from, including:

• Flat sheets – As the name suggests, a flat sheet is a single piece of material that is placed over the mattress and tucked underneath it to create a neat and presentable finish. They can also be used to provide a secondary layer of insulation between the person in the bed and the duvet.
• Fitted sheets – Again, the clue is in the title here. Unlike flat sheets, fitted sheets are specifically designed to fit over the size of the mattress in question, with elasticated edges to keep it in place. This style is easier to fit than a flat sheet, but less versatile.
• Fitted valance sheets – A variation on the theme above, valance sheets have an extra length of fabric which drapes over the corner of the bed and hangs to the floor. This makes it ideal for obscuring any belongings, equipment or other knick-knacks you might want to store beneath the bed.

Duvet covers

After tackling the base layer of your bedding, you’ll need to decide which duvet cover you’re going to choose. This is especially important, since it will be immediately visible to anyone who enters the room and will set the tone for the interior décor in the rest of the room. From classic sateen stripe designs to luxurious velvet trimmed styles and hotel-standard Egyptian cotton covers, we have a wide array of options to suit any taste and colour scheme.

Pillowcases

As the place where you lay your head each night, a pillowcase has a vital role to play in terms of both comfort and appearance, so it’s worth investing time in choosing the right option for you. There are several types of pillowcase to choose from, including:

• Housewife – Perhaps the most common type of pillowcase available, housewife pillowcases are rectangular in shape with a small additional flap of fabric at the opening, which helps to secure the pillow in place. When buying a bedding bundle, it’s likely you’ll receive a housewife pillowcase.
• Oxford – Also very popular, the oxford pillowcase differs from its housewife counterpart in that it has a decorative border to add an extra touch of style to the bedding. This creates the illusion that the pillow itself is larger, which makes it an ideal accompaniment to a king-size or super king-size bed.
• V-shaped – As the name suggests, a V-shaped pillowcase is specifically designed to fit a V-shaped pillow. These are not commonly used as standard pillows for sleeping, but rather to aid in giving lower back support for pregnant women or anyone else struggling with muscular pain.

Bedspreads

Bedspreads are most commonly found in hotels, bed and breakfasts and other hospitality establishments, but they can be a winning addition to any bedroom. Designed to lie on top of the duvet, bedspreads can help finish off your chosen look and complement your décor, while adding an extra layer of warmth in colder weather.

Which material should I choose?

The next choice to make when it comes to your bedding is the material it is made from. This has an all-important impact on how the sheets feel against your skin, which can have a knock-on effect on your comfort level and quality of sleep. Choose from the following options:

Cotton

Long-lasting, breathable and cool in hotter temperatures, it’s easy to see why cotton is the number one choice when it comes to bedding fabrics. There is something of a debate over Egyptian cotton vs regular cotton, with the former generally regarded as of a higher quality that feels softer and will last longer. On the flipside, Egyptian cotton is pricier and may require more specific laundering instructions.

Sateen

While satin is manufactured using only filament fibres, sateen is created from short-staple spun yarns. This means that it is more affordable than its illustrious namesake, but still retains the silky smoothness of satin. It’s also more versatile and with a lustrous effect on one side and a dull one on the reverse, it’s suitable for most situations and requires the minimum of fuss when cleaning.

Percale

Contrary to popular belief, percale is not actually a type of fabric in itself, but rather simply indicates that the materials used to make it (normally a blend of cotton and polyester or just 100% cotton) have a thread count of 180 or higher. The plain weave used to make percale sheets produces a strong, thick fabric which has a crisp feeling to it.

Microfibre

As with sateen and percale, microfibre does not refer to the materials themselves, but rather the size of the fibres used to create the bedding. Consisting of tiny, finely woven fibres, microfibre bedding carries several advantages, including its breathable, durable, hypoallergenic and stain-repellent qualities. Microfibre also holds colour well, so vivid colours won’t fade as quickly as other fabrics and the fact that it’s quick dying and non-iron will save you lots of time and effort.

Polyester

Polyester is a manmade material constructed from a variety of natural ingredients that are treated at extremely high temperatures to create a fabric that is long-lasting, affordable and incredibly easy to maintain. However, polyester has drawbacks as well as benefits. Namely, it’s non-breathable, making it less than ideal in the summer months and it’s also prone to static.

Velvet

Although a fairly new phenomenon, velvet bedding is growing in popularity in the UK and beyond… and it’s not hard to see why. Luxurious and decadent, velvet is deliciously soft to the touch and incredibly alluring to the eye, as well as providing extra warmth for those cold wintry nights. On the downside, it is normally a little more expensive than other options, as you might expect for a fabric of this quality.

Does thread count matter?

For many people, the thread count of their linen is simply a number that they don’t really understand or attribute much importance to. In layman’s terms, thread count refers to the total number of threads (both vertically and horizontally) that are found in a single square inch of the material.

Why does this matter? Well, generally speaking, the higher thread count that linen has, the more finely woven the strands which comprise it will be and the softer and smoother the final product will feel to the touch. Therefore, bedding with a high thread count is an ideal option for those who prioritise luxury and elegance.

Having said that, linen with a high thread count does require extra care and attention when it comes to cleaning. This means that there is a trade-off between convenience and quality, which is why opting for the bedding with the highest thread count isn’t always the best course of action – depending on your own personal preferences and the purpose to which the bedding will be put.

While thread counts do go all the way up to 1,000, most homeowners will find themselves satisfied with far less. For instance, the thread count of standard cotton is generally 150, while anything above 180 is considered to be good quality. Therefore, it’s advisable to educate yourself on the available choices and make an informed decision when it comes to deciding which thread count is right for you.

Which design should I choose?

Now that you’ve got all of the technical details out of the way, it’s time to focus on what really matters – the visual appeal of your bedding! What kind of impression are you trying to create with your linen? Warm and inviting? Cool and contemporary? Minimalist and modern?

Whatever aesthetic you prefer, we have plenty of options to suit all tastes and styles. While plain sheets help to create an understated look and won’t detract from other design features of your room, choosing embellished or patterned bed linen can form a talking point all of its own. The following designs are all available at Homefords:

Embroidered

Embroidered bedding is classically British and characterised by crisp, attractive designs which stand the test of time. There’s a whole world of possibilities when it comes to embroidered linen, from intricate swirling patterns to finely piped detailing.

Jacquard

This timeless option features breathtakingly beautiful designs which exude elegance and quality craftsmanship. The process of making Jacquard patterns takes place on a special loom and requires a vast amount of skill and patience, hence why Jacquard designs are often more expensive than others.

Printed

Using printed designs means that the world is your oyster when it comes to choosing the appearance of your bedding, since virtually any image can be transferred onto the linen. Be mindful, however, that the fabric can feel a little coarser and of lower quality, due to the high concentrations of dye used to make it.

Quilted

As the name suggests, quilted bedding takes the form of a patchwork quilt, where each segment is woven together to create little pockets of air. This can be invaluable for retaining heat in colder weather and providing extra comfort. Quilted linen is most notable for its texture, rather than its design.

Waffle

Much like with quilted bedding, waffle linen is created using a very specific weaving technique which foregrounds its tactile feel over its visual appearance. The end product is one that’s beautifully soft and comforting – perfect for decadent duvet days and long winter nights.

Talk to our bedding experts

Armed with all that knowledge, you should now have a better idea of what type of wholesale bedding you’re looking for and which criteria to filter down the list of possibilities with. That being said, we’re well aware that the sheer breadth of options available on our site can be a little overwhelming for those looking to upgrade their bedroom décor.

With that in mind, we’re always on hand to provide any pointers and resolve any doubts you might have. Whether it’s getting to grips with thread counts or differentiating your jacquards from your waffles, we’re happy to help. Simply get in touch and one of our bedding experts will get back to you.