Tips for Selecting Bedding and Comforter Sets

When decorating a bedroom, choosing the right bed linens is paramount.

Bedding and comforter sets are a great way to pull together the look of the bedroom.

They are available in a huge array of styles and colors and can set the tone of the entire room.

When selecting bed linen you should take several factors into consideration, predominantly style, color, pattern, comfort, and cost.

Bedding and Comforter Sets - Color

Decide on a color first.

What colors are you immediately drawn to for your bedroom? That's the place to start. Regardless of what the prevailing color trend is, your bedroom is a place where you will be spending a lot of time. It is important that you feel relaxed and comfortable in it.

Color determines the "feel" of the room. A bright color gives the bedroom pizzazz and livens it up, but may end up creating a room that is more difficult to relax in.

Soft pastels are easy to live with and create a more feminine look, while strong, dark colors may seem more masculine.

Soft golds and creams provide a sense of luxury and can even make discount bed linen look like luxury bedding.

Don't think of color in isolation. Look at it in the context of the entire room. For example, the color red can seem harsh and leap out at you, but it can also add just the right highlights to a room if used effectively. Yellow seldom takes a back seat, but brightens up the color scheme if used as an accent with coordinating colors.

Bedding and Comforter Sets - Style

The overall style of the bedding you choose should reflect the look you want to create in your room. Do you want to create a relaxing oasis, a modern sleek hotel look, European elegance or country charm?

Create a country or cottage chic feel by using quilts, patchwork or smaller floral designs.

The hotel chic look comes together by using rich fabrics in plain colors or simple designs.

A relaxing oasis usually involves soft colors that reflect the outdoors. Soft blues and greens, possibly mixed with sand colors, give the effect of relaxing by the beach.

Asian style decorating is very popular as well. That look is relatively sleek, with simple one or two color designs with an Asian flavor. Add to the Asian decor look by selecting accessories that reflect eastern style. Make sure lighting fixtures, lamps, vases, and rugs coordinate with that theme.

Bedding and Comforter Sets - Pattern

Pattern is the next thing to consider when choosing bed linens and bedding ensembles.

A very large pattern needs to be used carefully as it can easily overpower the room. If you decide on a large pattern, make sure to keep the rest of the bedroom decor quite simple. That way your stunning pattern will shine as it should.

The opposite is true of plain bed linens. Many modern bedding ensembles are plain or extremely pared down and simple in design.

If you decide on a plain color for your main bedroom linens, such as comforter (or duvet), pillow shams and bed skirt, consider adding a few touches of another color or pattern in your bedding accessories. Pillows, curtains, area rugs, lamps and vases can bring the room to life.

Bedding and Comforter Sets - Consider Cost

As with redecorating any other part of your home, cost is a consideration when decorating bedrooms as well. The good news is that you can find a beautiful selection of modern bedding at a variety of price points.

Obviously if luxury bedding or designer bedding is what you want, the price will be higher. But today, discount bedding collections are available that can sometimes trick the eye into thinking you spent much more than you really did.

You can expect to see references to "thread count" if you're looking at more expensive bed linens. This refers to the number of threads woven in one square inch of fabric vertically and horizontally. While a high thread count might seem more desirable (over 400), there doesn't seem to be much burden of proof on the part of manufacturers about the actual thread count. In 2008 Consumer Reports found sheets with a claimed thread count of 1,200 had actually just over 400. Shop carefully and handle the fabric yourself to help judge what you want next to your skin.

With a little bit of care and thought you can create an easy bedroom makeover simply by choosing just the right bedding.