There are some loves that are forever. Romeo and Juliet. Allie and Noah from The Notebook. A person and their bed.
Sure, you probably think your bed is already good, but with a little understanding of thread count and proper laundering you can take your zzzzz's to the next level.
Thread count
"There's no standard number, but the higher the number the better the quality of linen, and the longer it will last and the finer it will feel to the touch," Brandan Nash, Visual Merchandising Manager at Sheridan told The Huffington Post Australia.
"Anywhere between 500tc and 700tc is pretty standard, however premium brands go up to a 1000tc which is like sleeping on a cloud. Open the packaging, have a feel and ask lots of questions before you buy. How does it wash? How is it tested? Where is it made?" Nash said.
Egyptian cotton
Ever wondered what's so good about Egyptian cotton, anyway? Us too.
"The biggest difference comes down to the fibres. Egyptian cotton fibres are longer and thinner, meaning they can get more fibres per square centimeter, which equals a higher thread count. All that really means is that it's a lot finer and softer to the touch."
Bamboo cotton
You may have seen bamboo cotton on the haberdashery shelves in the past few years.
"We are becoming so much more conscious of what materials we use and how they are harvested. Bamboo is a sustainable and renewable fibre that is a great alternative to traditional cottons. It's naturally soft and very smooth to the touch. It is a little more expensive than regular cotton, but there are some really great products on the market. As a compromise you can get a blend of bamboo and regular cotton which gives you the best of both worlds," Nash said.
Silk bedding
Silk bedding, namely pillow slips, are hugely popular right now. Reason being that the silk fibres of the fabric are very fine (resulting in the super soft, smooth texture), so they don't rough up the cuticles of hair strands so much. The result is less bed hair in the morning. It's also said to be better for wrinkles for the same reason -- no more face creases if you're a head-down sleeper.
Doonas
Whether you call it a doona, comforter, quilt or bed cover, the thing on top of your bed not only makes a style statement, it makes a big difference to the luxe feel of the bedroom.
"If you ask me, feather and down will always give you that premium hotel feeling. It'll keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Natural fibres will always have you sleeping more comfortably than polyester alternatives," Nash said.
Nash emphasises that bedding is one of those things where you really do get what you pay for, so always get the best quality that you can afford. After all, you spend a third of you life in bed.
Laundering
"I always wash my sheets in warm to cool temp water. Cotton naturally shrinks in hot water. I also air-dry all of my bed linen to avoid shrinkage and lint from the dryer. There's nothing worse than white sheets with blue sock fluff," said Nash.
In terms of how often you should change your bedding, it's really dependent on the person and how they sleep. Nash believes that as a rule of thumb sheets should be changed weekly, with other bedding accessories like the quilt cover swapped out fortnightly. If you're acne prone, change your pillow slip every other day.
"Investing your money in quality products will make sure you always have the same quality wash after wash," Nash said.
Styling
Bedrooms should be a calming place, like a little retreat from the world.
"It's all about layers. Start with a great mattress topper to add depth and comfort to you base. Invest in great quality bedding inserts that will stand the test of time. Layer in quilts, blankets, decorative cushions and throws for a luxurious look. Now that it's getting cooler, it's the perfect time to try faux fur, velvet and linen to add a mix of texture and tone that'll have you diving into bed every single night," Nash said.
"When layering cushions, keep it simple and make sure they all work really well together -- whether it's the colour or the pattern tying them together and keep it consistent. Cushions are fun way to layer in colour or pattern without committing to statement bed linen every season. work in texture, pattern or colour you want to try and if you get sick of it, swap it out for something else."