The bedroom is arguably the most important room in your home. Considering its interior is the first thing you see when you wake up and the last before you fall asleep, making it as pleasant as possible should be your top priority. Find a way to create a comfortable environment for your conscious and unconscious mind, set up the mood with your favourite candle, and let’s dive right into the dream world.
Stocking up on candles and other bedroom décor items might sound tempting – and while they do serve a special purpose, they can’t do much for your sleep though. Mattresses and pillows can. But the right mattress and pillow aren’t the only factors that can make or break your good night’s sleep – the bedding is just as important. Choosing quality materials is essential for the comfort of your sleep and the overall aesthetic of your bedroom.
Good Old Cotton
Cotton has been the most widely used material for bedding sheets for a long time now, and that is for some good reasons. Cotton is a natural, pure fibre, which makes for breathable and comfortable bedding sets. As you drift off to sleep, your body temperature goes up and down. As a result, you’re likely to wake up hotter, sticky, and desperate for some air. Luckily, cotton linen bedroom sheets absorb heat from your body excellently, keeping you cool throughout the hot summer nights and warm in the winter by trapping and maintaining your body heat. If you sleep in artificially made fabrics, such as polyester, the cloth will store your body heat rather than naturally ventilate, capturing your warmth and making it difficult to cool down.
Not only does cotton linen help regulate your body temperature, but it’s also incredibly soft. If you have delicate skin, you need to avoid irritating it as much as possible during sleep. With cotton being inherently hypoallergenic, it has low relation with allergies and it doesn’t cause irritation or itching, enhancing your overall quality of sleep.
Cotton bedding can improve your sleep quality while also saving you money in the long term. High-quality bedding linens may last nearly twice as long as any man-made option, which means you won’t have to replace them as often. And, it’s low maintenance! There is no need for handwashing, drying, or ironing it for hours. Most cotton linens can be washed at around 40 degrees in the washing machine. Expensive detergents are not a necessity, and you can even put them in the dryer as long as you stick to a low temperature. Simply hang it as straight as possible to minimize the amount of ironing they might need after.
Eco-Friendly Bamboo
If you’re tired of sleeping on purely cotton sheets and you want to switch out and try something new, some eco-friendly bamboo sheet sets could be your next purchase. Bamboo trees are one of the fastest-growing plants in the world. They don’t require fertilizer and self-regenerate out of their own roots when harvested. They also don’t require as much water as cotton and can be cultivated naturally without pesticides.
Bamboo sheets are made from the fibres of the bamboo plant. The fibres are spun into yarn and processed to create threads, which are then woven into the velvety smooth bed sheets you might be familiar with. Even though it has a lower thread count than most cotton, any kind of bedding that’s made with bamboo fibres is known for being ultra-soft and fine. Because of its softness, the material is often recommended for young children.
While helping the planet, you’re also helping your skin. Bamboo gets rid of moisture way faster than cotton does and by that it reduces the bacterial growth on your bed. Fewer bacteria equals less skin irritation and therefore, less acne. Bamboo bed linens are incredibly breathable so it also prevents dry skin. This allows excess heat and moisture to evaporate, preventing you from overheating at night. Because you never begin to sweat, your body maintains moisture and can adequately moisturize your skin.
While their care process might be a bit different than what you’re used to, it’s nothing you should be worried about. Bamboo made sheets should be washed at a cold temperature, on a gentle cycle and without using fabric softener. It’s recommended to let them dry out naturally but if you prefer the dryer, just choose the low heat and a low tumble dry setting.
Time-Honoured Linen
Another great sustainable textile is linen. Linen is a textile produced from the cellulose fibres that grow inside the stalks of the Linum usitatissimum plant. Flax is one of the world’s oldest cultivated plants. The process of making linen fabric from the flax plant requires considerably less water than the method of producing cotton. As a result, it is a more environmentally friendly option. Flax farming uses fewer pesticides than cotton farming, and linen fibres can be treated without the use of chemicals. Which can only be a beneficial thing for the environment.
While it has many similar features as the materials mentioned above, as in breathability, temperature control and softness, linen is one of the oldest natural materials known to man. Linen has been used for hundreds of years to provide people of many cultures with comfort, health, and pleasure. This fabric was used to make Roman togas and Pharaoh’s robes. It was well-known to the ancient Egyptian societies since it was utilized in funeral rites. Linen was such a valuable item to King Tutankhamun that he had his linen curtains buried with him.
Not only that, but linen is one of the most durable fabrics used in today’s bedding. It is double as durable as cotton and it’ll last you multiple generations in good condition, even with frequent usage. Although, bear in mind that this quality can only be maintained with careful maintenance.
Getting yourself some linen sheets is an investment, but for that price, you really get what you pay for and maybe even more. Since with proper care, it can last you generation to generation, it’s worth spending a bit more than usual.
Luxurious Silk
Silk, an ancient cloth initially created in China during the latter stage of the Stone Age, is regarded as the pinnacle of luxury. Although it is rather costly, it’s a natural fabric that has been proven to be gentler on your skin over synthetic fabrics. Silk has also hypoallergenic and thermal management qualities and can assist your body in maintaining the correct temperature for a peaceful rest. It is well-known for being gentle on the hair and skin, as well as being extremely breathable. Studies have shown that silk can be used to soothe sore skin. If you have a breakout or a sunburn and sleep on silk bedding, the fabric prevents additional irritation and eases the healing process.
With silk sheets, besides your skin, your hair benefits as well. When you sleep on a silk pillow your hair doesn’t rip, which contributes to its healthy shine. A silk pillowcase helps keep your hair smooth, nourished, and untangled, therefore minimizing damage. Aside from all the cosmetic perks, silk linens and pillows can be easily machine cleaned at 30 degrees, on a gentle or hand-washable cycle using a mild soap or special silk detergent. With proper care silk is made to last you decades providing you eternal beauty.
Whether you’ll choose a couple of sustainable and long-lasting bamboo sheet sets, some fancy silk pillows, breezy linen covers or classic cotton bedding, I’m sure you won’t make a bad choice. Whichever your linen bedroom material of choice may be, your sleep will be undoubtedly improved.
