How to choose a bedspread: Picking the perfect bed cover

Choosing your thing

When you buy a bed cover or duvet (or any other textile item), play on the dominating style of your interior and the color scheme of your bedroom. Interior design styles dictate the style of your bed sheets.

Classic models with intricate patterns like paisley and damask, golden embroideries or frills are less likely to fit in a minimalist contemporary interior with its succinct lines and low-key color scheme.

A rustic country cottage with dark panelled walls, stone fireplace and frills on a shade goes well with cozy patchwork models. Such textile choices create a distinctly homely rustic vibe with a classic look.

Quilts

A quilt is a type of bedspread made from two layers of fabric with batting between them for extra warmth. It can be stitched together with intricate patterns or have a plain design depending on personal preference. Quilts can be used as both bedding and wall hangings in bedrooms or other areas of the home.

There are several types of quilts available, such as patchwork quilts, applique quilts, amish quilts, and tie-dyed quilts. Patchwork quilts are made from scraps of fabric sewn together in intricate patterns and then bordered with a larger fabric print for an interesting look.

Applique quilts are made from pieces of fabric that are glued onto another piece of canvas with decorative stitching added for an extra flair. Amish quilts feature simple designs using solid colors or geometric shapes. If quilts are something you're interested in, then there's bound to be a style and pattern for you.

Coverlets

A coverlet is similar to a quilt in that it's also made with two layers of fabric with batting between them. It doesn't have any patterns or designs on the layers as a quilt does. It's often used as a lightweight bedding option over sheets during the summer months or as an additional layer during cooler months for added warmth and comfort.

Coverlets come in different styles, including matelasse coverlets, hand-stitched coverlets, embroidered coverlets, jacquard coverlets, patchwork coverlets, and woven coverlets.

Blankets

A blanket is usually used as an extra layer on top of existing bed covers, but can also be used as a standalone option when needed for an extra warmth on cold nights or chilly mornings. They come in various sizes, weights, materials, colors, and textures, so they can be easily matched to any bedlinen design or color scheme.

Bed runners

Bed runners are narrow rectangular pieces of fabric that can be draped across the top layer of your bed as an extra layer for added warmth or decoration during special occasions such as holidays or anniversaries.

Bed runners

What color should you pick for your bedding? As a rule, stick to the hues in your bedroom, blending it right with the curtains, walls and furniture. It’s wise to choose the same color palette and a fabric which is a few tones brighter than the color of the walls to create a strong anchor. If your bedroom features wallpaper with colorful patterns, just pick a solid color model.

Here are some more options to consider:

• A bed cover with an original ornament can be an unusual eye-catching anchor against the neutral background in your bedroom. For instance, items with punchy floral prints or pop art abstracts in Mondrian style. “Alfabia”, a striking bed cover in a rich purple hue, easily promotes such an accented spirit. This velvety bed cover comes with a raised flowery stitching.
• A bed cover set that comes with curtains can create a tasteful contrast with neutral walls. These are not necessarily pops of color, your textile products can look striking with quirky patterns or raised texture. “Kyoto”, a bed cover and curtains set, create such an image with sophisticated embroidery in the chinoiserie style. The fabric stylized as gorgeous Chinese silk sends us to a blooming garden with birds on the branches. The interweaving of gold threads into the Kyoto pattern gives it an elegant look. It will transform your bedroom, adding some Oriental mystery and plunging its inhabitant to an atmosphere of chinoiserie chic.
• A bed cover that doesn’t go with curtains but plays off some decoration in the bedroom — accent wall or original posters on it. An author pattern or its elements on the accent wall (for instance, large geometric figures or plant patterns on wallpaper) repeating on the fabric will create a single landscape in your bedroom. Here’s an intriguing solution — a charming ensemble of a bedspread featuring a floral pattern and posters stylized as a botanical engraving. “Alfabia”, a bedspread dash comforter features a large plant ornament: leaves, flowers, butterflies and brightly colored birds and complements the botanical prints or tropical landscape pictures.

The best fabrics for the perfect bedding

How do you choose a fabric for your bed cover? What material is best suited to such an item? Go for the model that fits the decor of the room, looks great, and offers the best visual interest. Here are our tips for choosing the properties of a bed cover:

• dense and wrinkle-resistant
• wear-resistant
• doesn’t fade in the sun (if the windows of the room face the south side)
• doesn’t deform
• ideally, easy-care.

Silk: Silk bed covers are truly gorgeous. Silk shines in the evening light of lamps, and this delicate fabric is extremely soft to the touch. However, this fabric requires careful handling and is very high maintenance. You should also think very carefully about using a silk bedspread if you have a pet.

Cotton. Cotton items are sustainable and hygienic, very absorbent, don’t build up static electricity and have the ability to "breathe". Lightweight cotton bedspreads are ideal for kids’ rooms. They can be washed at home, a small blanket easily fits in a washing machine.

Bamboo and eucalyptus fibers. Recycled eucalyptus and bamboo fibers make a soft to the touch, hygroscopic and environmentally friendly material.

Polyester. The fabric most bedspreads use is polyester because they are supposed to be durable, withstand creasing, deformation and last for many years. Polyester fibers are the top materials for bedspreads. Such models are wear resistant and easy-care, don’t fade in the sun. Polyester is used to create different fabrics — from delicate velvet to textured jacquard.

Blends. What about buying a model made of a mixed fabric, which combines the advantages of several fibers? For example, polyester and viscose in a material afford the durability of polyester fibers and the softness of smooth viscose.

Size matters

Even the most gorgeous item made from luxurious velvet or delicate silk can go wrong if you got the wrong size.

How do you choose the right size for bed cover? Your bed always has bed linen on it. Pillows and duvets, especially down duvets, add volume to your bed, so avoid buying a bedspread, focusing only on the width and length of the mattress — it will puff up and become too short, will fail to cover the legs of the bed and the things you store under it.

To measure its dimensions, be sure to take into account the thickness of the mattress as well (products 20 cm or 45 cm thick require different amounts of fabric). Even if you have a standard single bed with a very high mattress, when choosing the size of the bedspread, go for much greater length and width.

What about thread count?

In a bedspread, the term "thread count" describes how many horizontal and vertical threads are woven into a single square inch of cloth. It's a frequent misconception that a higher thread count equals better comfort and sleep quality.

An all-around rule of thumb is to look for a thread count between 200 and 800 when selecting a bedspread. Naturally, the fabric's texture and breathability should be taken into account, but a high thread count often signifies a softer and more durable cloth.

What if I have a sofa?

If there is only one room and it is space stingy, then you have to sleep on a folding sofa. In this case, a bed cover/throw is perfect to protect your sofa from stains. It is also a great option as a comfortable cape for daytime sleep.

The original model can act both as a comfortable extension and a striking decoration in the room. For example, "Amara" cape from artificial fur, which imitates chinchilla fur, is created from artificial fibers that are indistinguishable from delicate natural fur.

Carelessly thrown on the armrest of the sofa, Amara will plunge the guests and its inhabitants into the atmosphere of a medieval bedroom, decorated with capes of rare furs.

It is hard to choose a bedspread for a sofa when there are pets in your family. Bouclé fabrics, burlap, and other similar materials with a loose texture are off-limits since they will quickly fall into a state of disrepair.

It is better to use throws made of anti-vandal fabrics or simply featuring a smooth coating, invulnerable to claws. They will become additional protection for upholstered furniture. Buying decorative textiles for bedroom requires attention, time, understanding of color combinations.

If you make the right choice — the bedspread can become a special decor element, will create the desired atmosphere in the bedroom and give you the opportunity to be proud of the interior.

FAQ

Which bedding color makes a room appear larger?

Green, blue, and white are cold colors. These often enlarge a space and give it a bigger feel. Use milder colors on the walls and floor to give the impression that the space is larger.

Is there a distinction between a comforter and a bedspread?

The degree of warmth that a bedspread and comforter offer is their primary distinction. While bedspreads are far more permeable and lighter than comforters, which makes them perfect for warmer months, comforters are designed to provide a cooler body temperature and warmth during winter months. The fill power of a comforter is usually higher than that of a bedspread.

What materials are favored for bedspreads?

With good reason, cotton is the most often used fabric for making sheets and other bedding. It normally comes in at a reasonable price and is a strong, breathable fabric, soft, and easy to care for, even when dust mites invade it.