How To Slay Your Bed Like A Grown-Up: A Grown A*s Bed For A Grown A*s Adult
slay /slā/- 1.) the act of doing something of great skill. 2.) to greatly impress 3.) to succeed in doing something amazing.
Ok, just wanted to be sure we're ALL on the same page!
Alright, now do me a favor, if you're at home, go to your bedroom + take a good look at your bed. I'll give you a few minutes. Now, keep that image in your head. On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being "eh..." + 10 being "my bed is for the gods!!" what would you rate your bed on a level of comfort + aesthetic quality? A 2, a 5, maybe a 7? Umm, *side-eye* is your bed even made, my dear? If not, you're not off to a good start. You're a grown-a*s adult, so do grown-a*s things by making your grown-a*s bed, ok? *smile* Ok! Have you ever heard the quote "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed?" It kind of reinforces the fact that the little things in life actually do matter. So, if you're someone reading this whose bed wasn't made, make an effort to do better. If you're someone that makes their bed every morning (kudos to you), or at least pretty regularly, but wants it to be a bit more inviting, comfortable, + cozy, stick around for these goodies. I'm going to share a few tips + ingredients to have your bed slaaaayed, looking like it's fresh from your designer's fingertips, + feeling just as good!
:: Q U A L I T Y ::
A bed is one of the few furniture pieces I believe should be well invested in. That's right, guys! Your quality of sleep is super important to your quality of life, + I have reason to believe you knew this already. We spend approximately 1/3 of our lives in bed, so don't go cheap on the sheets!! Quality bed linens are key, + can mean all the difference between a blissful sleep + a night spent tossing + turning or just straight up uncomfortable. The best bed linens are those that are cool, crisp + barely even noticeable, the worst ones on the other hand, well, need I go there? So invest in the best that you can afford.
:: S H E E T S ::
Judge your sheets by material NOT thread count!!!!! People get so consumed with thread counts when oftentimes these numbers can be inflated. In theory, the higher the thread count, the tighter the weave, + more durable + longer-lasting product. Cool, but there are some manufacturers who use ply (the number of threads wound together in a single thread) to artificially inflate the thread count, so be careful there. The most high-quality sheets are made with single ply. So, moral of the story, opt for the highest thread count that you can get in a single ply. Look for keywords like "Egyptian long staple" which is a perfect compromise between luxury + affordability, "Pima" which are softer, lighter, + smoother or "Supima" which is a highly specialized cotton (read: luxurious). Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. You also want to be sure to choose the right material based on climate, care, + comfort. Are you a hot sleeper? Do you sweat at night? Are you a cold sleeper? How do you want to feel when you sleep? Choose what feels best for YOU.
In terms of color, you can never go wrong with classic white sheets. They match just about everything + allow for a visual break if you like to mix a lot of patterns or colors on your bed.
:: Q U I L T / C O V E R L E T ::
These tend to be used during the warmer months. They are lighter weight + can easily be folded + placed at the foot of the bed. Some people simply throw a duvet or a comforter over their sheets + call it a day, but that can leave your bed looking rather, uninviting, + a bit plain, + we did say that we were going to slay, right? Alright, just checking! So, adding a quilt or coverlet gives the bed layers + a little style, + definitely more comfort. You want a quilt that adds texture, color, or pattern to your bed + compliments your duvet. You can create these layers by spreading your quilt over your sheets + layer your duvet on top OR you can fold the quilt into thirds, laying it atop of the foot of your duvet.
:: D U V E T ::
So, regardless of their size label, comforter infills vary in their measurements. Measure your duvet cover + then find an insert that is at least 2 or 3 inches larger than your duvet cover. Think of the duvet cover as a giant pillowcase if you will. This trick helps in making your comforter look cozy + full like the ones you see on display in the department stores. In terms of patterns + colors, most times if you choose a solid quilt then you can opt for a patterned duvet. But on the other hand if you choose a patterned quilt, stick with a solid duvet, or at least one that has a pretty simple pattern to it. I am a fan of mixing + matching patterns + colors, as long as there is a complementary element to them. Some people won't, but I surely know what looks good! *winks*
:: P I L L O W S H A M S + P I L L O W I N S E R T S ::
I like pillows, + lots of them make your bed look more cozy + inviting. And you know what I say about a cozy bed! Wait... you don't??? Well, ask me later! *hee hee* You want to look for a pillow with a tightly woven outer fabric. You also want to ensure that you have the right inserts for your pillows, too. Nothing looks sloppier than a saggy + wrinkled pillow sham. In terms of aesthetics, the best looking inserts are down-filled, + although they can be on the pricey side, they will ALWAYS make your pillows look amazing, talk less feel awesome, too. Really, there are no "rules" when it comes to selecting pillows, but an easy technique is to match standard or king pillows to your duvet + euro shams to your quilt or coverlet. This is if you like more "order" to the patterns + colors on your bed.
One more thing about pillows, if you're not sure if it's time to replace them I've got a trick for you. Fold the pillow in half. If it springs back, the pillow is in good shape. If it doesn't, well then, that pillow needs to go bye-bye! Also, if you happen to sweat a lot at night, you may want to consider lining your pillows with breathable waterproof pillow protectors. This is a great way to protect your pillows, while leaving you comfortable.
:: T H R O W P I L L O W S ::
Mmm... so maybe you didn't go for a crazy pattern or color scheme for your bed linens, no worries! You can always go bold with throw pillows. This is a fantastic way to mix things up by introducing (additional) pattern + texture. Throw pillows are relatively inexpensive + can always be swapped out for a different look.
Alright, maybe you're someone who doesn't need all the huff + fuss with all the layers, + pillows, + frilly foo-foos on their bed. Really, the moral of the story is: Make Up Your Bed! Your bedroom is supposed to be your sanctuary, but it can also be a war zone. You'll notice though when your bed (which is typically the largest piece of furniture in your bedroom) is made your room feels less like one, guaranteed. But, we're grown-a*s adults, remember? Don't make me check you on your war zone of a bedroom! (Insert angry eyes here)
Aaaanyway, I digress! Slay, babies... SLAY SLAY SLAY! It's time for a grown-up bed! Was that a lot to take in? I'm sure for some of you it might have been, so that's the beauty of pictures! Below is a visual guide to help simplify things a bit. No, no, no thank you!
If any of my suggestions + tips helped in making your bed look + feel a little more "grown-up" I'd love to hear about + even see pictures of your success! Leave a comment below! Oh, but you didn't have much luck with your slayed bed? Whaaaat? And you're not even sure where to begin shopping for quality bed linens without breaking the bank?? No worries, boo! I've got yoooou! Contact me here so we can chat, I'd love to work with you!
Til next time!
