What's "on the bed" is a big contributor to restful, restorative night's sleep as the type of bed one sleeps on. It's an industry fact that nearly everyone who buys a new bed also buys new pillows and bedding to compliment it. With all the choices and terminology in the marketplace today, we hope this section gives you a brief overview to help select the best options to suit you and your sleep partner.

Sheets

Sheets come in a wide variety of materials, thread counts and depth measurements. Due to the increasing wide range of mattress sizes, this last item has become very important in the bedding industry in order to improve fit, especially on the newer, deeper mattresses. Durability, personal preferences and earth-friendly choices account for the wide variance in composites, thread counts and finishes. Organically grown materials are generally more expensive, but offer the cleanliness and durability of cotton, as well as a comfortable texture and feel. Examples of earth-friendly sustainable sheet materials are bamboo, hemp, wood pulp, and organically grown cotton. Silk sheets are an established alternative to cotton. Cotton/polyester sheets are known for their smooth texture and no-iron qualities.

Blankets

Today, blankets are made from a wide range of materials, from cotton, to wool and wool combinations, synthetic, fleece and acrylic to electric, and down-alternative. Most of these blankets are designed for year-round comfort, however, the electric, down and down alternative blankets are specifically made for warmth during cold winter nights. Many of these blankets are machine washable (including some of the electric ones) and have easy care instructions to maintain a clean, healthy sleep environment.

Comforters

Casual comforters and comforter sets are a value option for the top of the bed. These comforters can be filled with a variety of polyester combinations, all natural cotton, wool, synthetic fibers and down, creating varying degrees of loft and warmth. They come in designs and finishes to suit every décor and are either washable or dry-cleanable, depending on the cover fabric requirements and ornamentation as well as the type of filling.

Quilts

Quilted bedding provides warmth and a country patterned style to the bedding décor. Quilts can be plain with pattern stitching or pieced and patchwork quilted. While the loft is usually less than that of a comforters a quilt is heavier, due to the materials used. Pieced and patchwork quilts generally are recommended to be dry-cleaned, while pattern stitched quilts are usually machine washable. Most quilts are made from cotton, although pieced and patchwork quilts can be made from any viable material selected by the individual seamstress or manufacturer.

Toppers

Toppers are an add-on feature, allowing one to augment the responsiveness or resilience of an existing mattress. These add-ons can be comprised of latex, memory foam, polyester fill, wool, and down/cotton alternative. On top of the mattress, they can add a soft layer of comfort, relying on choice of fill for the degree of softness and support.

Duvet Covers

Protecting your comforter or changing the look of your room can easily be accomplished by investing in duvet covers. These are usually washable (although many luxury covers are dry-cleanable) and go a long way toward extending the life of your comforter. Since high-end, down comforters can be very expensive, a duvet cover is not only beautiful, but a wise investment for extending the life of your comforter and beautifying your bedroom.