The best bedding for a restful night’s sleep

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Getting a good night's sleep is essential for positive physical and mental health. One of the most critical factors in achieving high-quality sleep is the bedding you use, with a big impact on how well-rested you feel in the morning, from the type of sheets to the kind of pillow.

According to a survey by the Sleep Council, around 30% of the UK population suffer from poor sleep, with almost half stating that stress and worry interfere with their sleep patterns. While numerous factors contribute to poor sleep, choosing the right bedding can help alleviate some of the issues.

To help you achieve a more restful night's sleep, Next Divan have put together this guide on the best bedding for a restful night's sleep. We'll explore different types of bedding, how to choose suitable materials, and how to care for bedding properly to ensure you get the most out of your investment.

Types of Bedding

The material of your bedding fabric is one of the most important considerations when choosing the right bedding for a restful night's sleep. Proper materials can make your bed feel more comfortable, breathable and contribute significantly to the quality of your sleep.

Here are some popular materials and their benefits:

Cotton: Cotton is a classic material choice for bedding due to its softness, durability, and breathability. It's also hypoallergenic, which is an excellent option for sensitive skin or allergies.

Bamboo: Bamboo is a sustainable and eco-friendly material that has recently gained popularity. It's moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic, making it an excellent option for those who tend to overheat while sleeping.

Linen: Linen is perfect for those who want a lightweight, breathable option, as it is a natural moisture-wicking fabric that helps regulate body temperature.

Silk: A luxurious material that is hypoallergenic and incredibly soft. It also has natural temperature-regulating properties, making it an excellent option for hot sleepers.

In addition to the type of material, the thread count is another factor to consider when selecting your bedding. Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into one square inch of the fabric. The higher the thread count, the softer and more luxurious the sheets feel. However, the optimal thread count that will guarantee comfort might vary from person to person. In other words, a low thread count does not necessarily translate to poor-quality bedding.

Remember that personal preference is key when considering which material and thread count to choose. Select a comfortable bedding material that you enjoy since comfortable bedding equals better sleep.

Choosing a Duvet or Comforter

Choosing the right duvet or comforter is critical to a good night's sleep, especially in the cooler months. The following are some of the most popular duvet filling options, along with their benefits:

Down Duvet: Consider a down duvet if you're looking for a cosy option. Down is the soft fluff under geese's outer feathers, and goose down is one of the warmest and most comfortable filling options. It is lightweight yet provides plenty of warmth and is highly durable.

Down-Like Duvets: For those who prefer a hypoallergenic alternative to down, synthetic materials like down-alternatives are a great option. These duvets are usually affordable and can provide a similar feeling of softness and warmth.

Wool Duvet: Wool is a naturally breathable and moisture-wicking material that regulates your body temperature all year round. Wool duvets are perfect for people that overheat during the night as they provide an excellent balance of warmth and cooling.

When choosing a duvet or comforter, consider the temperature of your bedroom and the time of year to determine the weight or warmth your comforter needs to provide. Standard comforter weights range between 200 and 350 GSMs, but a comforter that weighs more than 500 GSM may be more suitable for winter use.

For Duvets, the tog rating of the duvet can be used to know what season it is suitable for. Most tog ratings range from 4 - 13, with 4 - 6 being suitable for a Summer season, and heavier, thicker togs at 10+ being perfect for Winter use when nights are colder. We have more detail on duvet tog ratings further on in this piece, so read on for more.

It's essential to know that duvets come in different sizes, like bed mattresses. Therefore, you should select an appropriate size to fit perfectly on your bed frame.

Finally, if you can justify the cost, invest in a high-quality duvet cover to protect your comforter from dirt and other undesirable conditions. Comforter covers typically come in various materials such as cotton, silk, or bamboo and are available in multiple colours and patterns.

Selecting Sheets

Sheets are crucial to your bedding as they come into direct contact with your skin. Therefore, it's essential to choose the right type of sheets.

Here are some of the most popular options, along with their benefits:

Cotton Sheets: Cotton is popular due to its breathability and softness. Egyptian cotton is a high-quality option as its long fibres create smooth, soft, and durable sheets. Pima and Supima cotton also produce soft and long-lasting sheets.

Silk Sheets: Many people adore silk bed sheets for their luxurious feel, hypoallergenic properties, and cooling effects. They are naturally moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating, making them an excellent option for warmer climates.

Flannel Sheets: Flannel sheets are brushed cotton fabric that traps heat for a cosy sleep during winter. They are soft and comfortable, perfect for colder months.

Next, consider the thread count when selecting your sheets. The thread count ranges between 200-800 threads per square inch. However, the ideal thread count depends on your personal preference. Many people find a thread count of 300-400 to provide the perfect balance of softness, breathability, and durability.

Fitted sheets, flat sheets, and top sheets are three types of sheets available for bedding. Fitted sheets fit snugly around the mattress and prevent slipping during sleep. You can place flat sheets between the sleeper and the duvet to provide an extra layer of warmth or a barrier to protect the duvet from dirt. Top sheets can be placed as an additional layer on top of fitted sheets and can be used instead of a duvet.

Caring for your bedding correctly is essential to ensure maximum durability and continued comfort. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for washing, drying, and ironing your sheets. Additionally, avoid using too much detergent or fabric softeners on your sheets, as they can damage the fibres and decrease their lifespan.

What is the Tog and what rating is best?

In the UK, "tog" is a term used to describe the warmth rating of a duvet. Togs are the UK's standard for determining the insulation properties of duvets. The higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet is, ensuring a cosy and comfortable night's sleep.

The following are standard tog ratings in the UK:

1.5 tog is the thinnest, usually recommended for summer use and warmer climates.

4.5 tog is usually perfect for warm spring and autumn nights.

7.5 tog is ideal for those who sleep in a room with a temperature that is moderately cool.

10.5 tog is the most popular duvet weight in the UK, as it provides warmth without being too heavy.

13.5 tog provides excellent warmth in the colder months and is perfect for anyone living in regions with freezing climates.

15 tog is the thickest and warmest type of duvet that is popular for use during winter.

When selecting the ideal tog rating for your duvet, consider the season of the year and the temperature in your room. A good rule of thumb is choosing a lower tog rating during the summer and a higher one during the colder winter months. However, your preferred sleeping temperature should be the ultimate guide to selecting the appropriate tog rating.

What else will help you enjoy a great night’s sleep?

While the weight, warmth and comfort of your bed are vital in ensuring a good night’s sleep, many other factors have a role to play. Many people sleep more soundly when calm and relaxed, so your surroundings have a role to play. Your favourite colour or preferred texture will likely make you feel more comfortable and content, which means these are great additions to any bedroom.

Calming blues and pinks offer a soothing and welcoming environment, so it is easy to see why many people appreciate these tones in the bedroom.

You’ll also be more content if you have familiar and positive items around you. A soft, furry toy or doll can brighten the room and make you feel at home. Creating the most welcoming environment helps you enjoy a good night’s sleep, so whatever makes you happy is worth pursuing.

If you enjoy having a wide array of cushions or pillows on your bed, add them, and make going to bed each evening a positive experience. If you prefer a warmer temperature, a heated electric blanket can significantly affect your comfort.

For those who need additional support, specialist pillows aimed at supporting you in how you lie, or memory foam mattresses and pillows can make a massive difference to how you feel.

There is no exact science to enjoying a great night's sleep; everyone is unique. However, with the excellent selection of bedding products, everyone should find something that makes rest achievable.

At Next Divan, we want to help you and your loved ones as much as possible. If you’re looking for the best night’s sleep, allow us to help you and get in touch today.