5 Steps to Your Perfect Bed

1. The Bedding
There are an amazing number of variables at play here, such as fiber, weave, and thread count. Fiber-wise, I’m going to have to recommend 100% cotton bedding, though linen and silk are also options. With cotton you can always upgrade to Pima cotton or go full on and use Egyptian cotton. For weave, there’s percale, a plain-weave textile, or sateen, a satin-weave textile which has a shinier, more luxurious feel to it. Personally, I’m a percale kind of guy, but take a look at both for yourself. When we get into the world of thread count, you’re best served by a higher number. Thus, a 300 thread-count sheet will be softer than a 200 thread-count sheet.

2. The Monogram
This is clearly one of the easiest paths to personalization. Your personal monogram — as well as the font, thread color, and the style you choose — can say a great deal about you. I tend to lean toward solid white or ecru bedding with classic monograms in navy for my own bedding.

3. Color and Pattern
Though I tend to use solid bedding, I also love to layer some pattern on my bed with a few decorative pillows and even a throw blanket. The patterned pillows are only on my bed during the day, but I’ll often keep the solid cashmere throw for some of our cooler summer nights in San Francisco — or most every night during the winter. Adding these few pieces can give your bed a very specific style.

4. The Right Pillow
Keep in mind that pillows are available in practically every firmness known to science, so experiment a bit. Ask questions at the store. You know how you sleep, so let the staff help find the right pillow for you. This is also true for duvets as well. Don’t just buy the first one you find — or the one that’s on sale — invest some of your time, money, and energy into finding the perfect pillow and duvet.

5. Think Outside the Bed
There’s always going to be more than just the bedding to make your room stylish — and lull you into slumber. Have a quick look over at your nightstand and remember that this is likely to be the first thing you’ll see in the morning. Some flowers would be nice, or a memento from a recent vacation. And a little carafe or bottle of water would solve the need to get out of bed in the middle of the night.