Feather
Never too soft or firm, supportive feather fillings strike the perfect middle ground. They’ll mould to your body for personalised support and naturally regulate your temperature.
The Harrods Guide to Bedding
Words by Bridie Newman and Tanya Small
Once upon a time, sleep was considered a luxury. But in an age as fast-paced as ours, it’s no wonder there’s been a shift towards making it a top priority. Feeling well-rested is now considered a necessity, and it all starts with comfortable bedding. So, let us put your mind at rest by answering your most frequently asked bedding questions.
Understanding Bedding Sizes
If you’ve ever tried to stretch a fitted sheet over a mattress that’s too big for it or fallen foul of having an empty end of the duvet, you’ll know that getting the correct-sized bedding for your bed is essential.
Bear in mind, bedding is a matter of personal preference. If you prefer extra coverage (we’re looking at you, duvet-hoggers), you may want a king-size duvet for a double bed. If your mattress is a non-standard size, for instance, a three-quarter bed, consider sizing up. A queen-sized bed, a term commonly used in the US, is equivalent to a UK king-sized bed.
Find the perfect fit for your bed and bedding with these UK standard sizes.
Single: 140 x 200cm
Double: 200 x 200cm
King: 230 x 220cm
Super King: 260 x 220cm
Single fitted sheet: 90 x 190cm
Double fitted sheet: 135 x 190cm
King fitted sheet: 150 x 200cm
Super king fitted sheet: 180 x 200cm
Single flat sheet: 180 x 275cm
Double flat sheet: 230 x 275cm
King flat sheet: 240 x 305cm
Super king flat sheet: 270 x 320cm
All pillowcases are 50 x 75cm. An Oxford pillowcase will have an extra panel around the outside, but the core internal pillow dimensions remain the same.
What Is the Best Bedding Material?
Down
Soft, warm and temperature-regulating, down fillings offer premium comfort. They have a plush, cloud-like feel, and with proper care, they’ll last for years to come.
Silk
Naturally hypoallergenic, silk fillings are ideal for those with sensitive skin. The breathable, moisture-wicking fibres will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
What Is the Best Fabric for Bedding?
When choosing the best material for your bedding, you’ll want to consider your sleeping temperature, as hot sleepers will benefit from breathable options whereas cold sleepers may prefer something warmer. Other factors to consider are allergies and maintenance preferences. Here, we outline the five main fabric options you’ll find at Harrods.
Often associated with luxury, silk has a natural sheen with an exceptionally soft and smooth feel. It’s naturally hypoallergenic and helps to regulate body temperature, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
It has also been said to enhance skin and hair health, working to prevent hair damage and reduce the appearance of fine lines. However, the silky texture isn’t to everyone’s taste, and they often require special care instructions.
This high-quality cotton made in Egypt is famed for its softness, durability and breathability due to its extra-long fibres. These fibres produce stronger, thinner threads that are resistant to pilling and improve with age, softening over time.
You can identify the difference between cotton and Egyptian cotton as the latter carries a trademark logo. Similar to silk, it often has care labels that must be closely followed, and it can be prone to wrinkling, so may require ironing to maintain a smooth appearance.
A popular bedding fabric choice with good reason, cotton is breathable, soft, durable, hypoallergenic and easy to care for. Its natural fibres will help regulate your body temperature and allows air to circulate freely.
It’s long-lasting and can withstand frequent use and washing, making it a low maintenance option, and similar to Egyptian cotton, it’ll soften over time. It can shrink slightly in the wash and, in fitted sheets, may have less stretch than other fabrics.
Choose organic cotton for environmental sustainability and superior comfort. It’s hypoallergenic and free from harsh chemicals and pesticides, making it suitable for sensitive skin.
In general, it uses less water to produce, avoids synthetic fertilisers that damage soil and supports sustainable farming. It may feel slightly less soft than conventionally treated cotton, but it will soften over time with washing and use.
Clean, crisp and temperature-regulating, linen is a fabric that stands the test of time. Often associated with the summer but suitable all year round, its natural fibres allow for superior airflow.
It’s moisture-wicking, keeping you dry and comfortable, and low maintenance – its natural creases are part of its charm. It can feel stiff and heavy upon purchasing but, as with many natural materials, it’ll soften over time.
What Is the Best Thread Count for Bedding?
The thread count of your bedding simply indicates how many threads have been woven into each square inch. The best thread count depends on your preferred feel. As a rule of thumb, higher thread count sheets – typically 600-800 and above – feature close-knit yarns, creating a warmer, heavier feel.
At the other end of the scale, thread counts below 200-300 feel lighter and airier, as their weave allows for more breathability. Explore our favourite autumn and winter bedding below.
Types of Bedding, Explained
Bedding types can be split into four categories: mattresses, warmth layers, sheets and pillows. The first covers the mattress itself, a mattress cover or protector, and an optional bed skirt. Warmth layers are what you lie under: a duvet, quilt or bedspread, as well as optional blankets and throws, which are often used for styling.
Sheets, or bed linen, includes the bottom sheet, pillowcases and a duvet cover. A flat sheet is a large, rectangular piece of fabric that can be used as a top or bottom sheet, and it’s often tucked under the mattress. A fitted sheet is designed specifically to be used as a bottom sheet, with elasticated corners to help prevent it from moving when slept on.
The last category includes pillows, along with decorative throw pillows or cushions added to style the bed. For the pillows you sleep on, there are two choices of pillowcases: standard or Oxford. Standard pillowcases have a simple sewn edge that fits snugly around the pillow, while Oxford pillowcases have an extra decorative fabric border, creating a larger look. Both types share the same internal pillow dimensions and the choice comes down to personal preference.
New Season, New Bedding
Thinking of adapting your bedding to suit the season? Here are some quick tips for updating your sheets in line with nature’s rhythm.
Spring
Breathability is key, so opt for crisp percale sheets and a duvet with a low tog rating.
Summer
Switch to light-as-air bedding with a low thread count and fresh patterns and prints.
Autumn
Opt for bedding with a higher thread count and switch to a deep, earth-toned colour palette.
Winter
It’s time to go all out with a high-tog duvet and sateen bedding that feels toasty warm.
What Bedding Is Best for Hot Sleepers?
Hot sleepers tend to spend time tossing, turning and wrestling with their duvet. If this sounds like you, try breathable linen or moisture-wicking cotton bedding. You might also like the Harrods of London Thermal Balance range, which is specifically designed to regulate your body’s temperature.
What Is the Best Warm Bedding for Cold Sleepers?
Frequently Asked Questions
Thread count is the quantity of vertical and horizontal threads in each square inch of your bedding. The higher the thread count, the more threads within the fabric, and the denser it is.
The number you see is calculated by adding the number of threads across the length (warp) and width (weft) of the fabric. It ranges from 200 to 1000 and, as a rule of thumb, higher thread count sheets (600-1000) have close-knit yarns, so they feel warm and heavy, whereas lower thread count sheets (200-300) feel light and airy, with more space between the yarns for breathability.
Percale is not a fabric but a type of weave where one thread is woven over and under another in a criss-cross pattern. This creates a crisp, durable fabric that’s suitable all year round thanks to its cool and airy feel.
It’s usually made from cotton but can be made from other fibres, too. It’s a popular choice for bedding due to its smooth, matte finish and breathable quality.
Sateen is a type of fabric created by a satin weave which uses a specific pattern of four threads over one thread (unlike percale weave which uses a one-under, one-over pattern).
The result of this weave is a silky smooth and warm fabric that’s perfect for the colder months. Unlike satin, which is made from filament fibres, sateen is made from short-staple spun yarns like cotton, which makes it silky yet breathable.
TOG (Thermal Overall Grade) is a unit of measurement that indicates the thermal insulation or warmth of a duvet, sleeping bags or other bedding.
Think of a TOG rating like a thermometer – the higher the TOG, the warmer the duvet. A 10.5-TOG duvet is widely considered to be the most suitable for all seasons.
Memory foam is a popular choice for those wanting personalised comfort. It’s soft and spongy with a ‘sink in’ feeling when you lie on it. It moulds to your body to offer tailored support, making it ideal for relieving pressure during sleep.
Beddings types can be split into four categories: mattresses, warmth layers, sheets and pillows. Each component is used to cover and protect the mattress, provide warmth and enhance the bed’s appearance.
You can get bedding in four sizes: single, double, king and super king. See the Understanding Bedding Sizes section above for an outline of the dimensions of each.
The best bed linen is made from soft, quality fabrics that aren’t synthetic. Choose silk for a luxurious feel and skin and hair benefits; linen for a distinct texture and high absorbency; cotton for breathability and easy care; Egyptian cotton for superior softness and durability; and organic cotton for an eco-friendly option.
Harrods is home to a wide range of luxury bedding brands, including Frette, Yves Delorme, Ralph Lauren Home, Harrods of London, Etro and more.
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