Types of Bedding: Everything You Need to Know

January 04, 2023 7 min read

The term bedding refers to items placed on the bed to cover you as well as your mattress. You probably think of quilts, sheets, duvet covers or comforters, and pillowcases first when it comes to bedding types. Some other types of bedding include bed skirts as well as items like a stylish throw blanket and extra throw pillows. Every piece of bedding you choose is important because it plays a role in your warmth and comfort level while you sleep.

In This Article

What are the different types of bedding?
Why are there so many bedding types?
How to choose bedding
What type of bedding is best?
Final Thoughts on what are the different Types of Bedding.

What are the different types of bedding?

Having the proper bedding may also impact the quality of your sleep and help to support good hygiene. This is particularly important for items like mattress covers and sheets which cover the bed to create a barrier between yourself and the mattress. Now that you know more about different types of bedding, let’s dive in and take a closer look at some of the key pieces you’ll need for a complete bedding ensemble.

Shop Bedding

Fitted sheets: The fitted sheet is the foundation of your bedding and goes directly on top of your mattress or your mattress cover. These sheets have elastic around the seams for a snug, slip-free fit. Look for a fitted sheet with deep pockets if you have a thicker mattress so it stays securely on the bed as you sleep.
Flat sheets: A flat sheet goes right on top of your fitted sheet and is tucked into the foot of the bed with the top end open. Due to their thin construction, flat sheets are often used as a simple covering while sleeping in warm weather.
Mattress cover: A mattress cover is designed to protect your mattress from harmful germs, bacteria, and dust mites. If you suffer from allergies, adding a hypoallergenic mattress cover to your bed is a good way to keep these irritants at bay. Wash your mattress cover regularly to keep it clean for easy breathing throughout the night.
Duvet cover: You can use a duvet cover over a comforter or duvet (which is a thicker type of comforter). Often found in beautiful colors or decorative designs, duvet covers are typically machine-washable and protect the bedding inside.
Comforter: This thick, soft bedding keeps you extremely cozy and warm. You can find comforters filled with real goose down feathers or try a down alternative comforter for a hypoallergenic and eco-friendly option. Some comforters are featured in solid white while others are colored or feature unique prints and patterns.
Quilt: A quilt is not as thick as a comforter, so it lays slightly closer to your bed. Quilts make excellent blankets for both sleeping and relaxing on the sofa, and they typically feature stitched designs for added texture. Keep in mind that quilts aren’t as warm as comforters, so you may need an extra layer while you sleep, particularly during the winter months.
Pillows: Most pillows are designed to support your head and neck while you sleep. There are also throw pillows that add a decorative touch to your bed, but they’re not designed to sleep on in most cases. When using traditional pillows, you’ll want to protect them with soft, machine-washable pillowcases. Throw pillows don’t need pillowcases since they’re simply made to be decorative by nature.
Bed skirt: A bed skirt is a piece of fabric that goes around the perimeter of your bed and creates a “barrier” between the bottom of the bed and the floor. You can use bed skirts to accentuate your bedding or to simply hide any items you may have stored underneath your bed for a clean aesthetic.

Why are there so many bedding types?

Cream linen sheet set and Grey Linen Quilt

Shop Bedding

Bedding comes in a wide range of materials, colors, and sizes. There’s a plethora of bedding types to suit virtually every interior decor style, every bed size, and every individual need. For example, if you sleep hot, you may prefer to use breathable sheets and blankets to help keep you cool. If you deal with allergies, then a quality mattress cover and hypoallergenic bedding will help you stay healthy while you slumber. There are also a lot of bedding types because beds are not one-size-fits-all furniture. Let’s say you have a guest bedroom with a full or queen-sized bed. You’ll want to purchase bedding in a corresponding size, while the king-sized bed in your master suite will require something larger for a perfect fit.

Material content plays a major role in the availability of so many different bedding types. Exceptionally soft flat sheets made of gorgeous French linen are exceptionally luxurious and comfortable, promoting better quality sleep. Sustainability is also important for many consumers, so choosing organic bedding is a great choice over synthetic fabrics or products made using harsh chemicals and dyes. It also comes down to style. You may prefer your bedding to be bold and bright for a fun pop or color, or you could lean toward more neutral, versatile hues.

How to choose bedding

Aside from selecting the appropriate size, there are a few other criteria to keep in mind when choosing the right bedding for you. Start by determining which features of bedding are most important to you. Here are some of the most important things to remember when choosing new bedding for your bed.

Comfort/softness: Look carefully at the material content and the weave of the fabric to determine the bedding comfort level. Check the thread count, which can range from approximately 100 to 1,000. This term refers to how many woven threads are in a square inch of fabric and the higher the thread count, the softer the bedding should feel to the touch. Materials like linen are exceptionally soft and comfortable.
Breathability: This criterion is especially important if you consider yourself a “hot sleeper.” The more breathable your bedding is, the cooler you’ll feel. Breathability means that the fabric allows for good airflow so that you’re not trapping body heat while you slumber. If you do get cold at night, you may want to add on an extra layer of bedding or two, like a quilt or coverlet to help keep you warm.
Hypoallergenic: If you deal with allergies, look for bedding that’s made of hypoallergenic materials. This material should be naturally resistant to irritants like mold, dust mites, and airborne particles. This will ensure that you sleep more comfortably without having to constantly wash your bedding or wake up with allergy issues.
Quality of the product: Of course, investing in quality bedding is important to ensure a great night’s sleep. If you’re willing to pay a bit more for high-quality bedding, it will be a smart investment that lasts. Not only does quality bedding add a beautiful element to your bedroom, but it provides you with the best possible sleeping experience every single night. When you sleep better at night, you’ll have a better chance of maintaining good health.
Easy care: In order to maintain good hygiene, look for bedding that’s easy to wash. Machine-washable bedding can be cleaned more easily than bedding that must be dry-cleaned. Always make sure that you follow the washing and drying instructions for your bedding carefully in order to prevent possible damage or premature wear.

What type of bedding is best?

The type of bedding that’s best for you depends on a few different things, namely the size of your bed, the look you want to achieve, and the comfort and warmth level you require. Here are a few things to remember when you’re determining the best type of bedding for you.

Sleep temperature: If you tend to get cold at night, choose comforters rather than blankets and quilts. Comforters are much thicker and provide you with an exceptionally warm layer to snuggle under. If you sleep hot at night, opt for a thinner coverlet, throw blanket, or lightweight quilt. Either way, breathable bedding should help to keep your body temperature regulated for a better night’s sleep.
Flat sheet: Not everyone uses a flat sheet while they sleep. If you don’t want this extra layer, simply leave it out of your bedding setup. However, a fitted sheet is highly recommended to create a layer between yourself and your mattress or mattress cover.
Softness: The softness of your bedding determines how comfortable it feels against your body as you sleep. Look for hypoallergenic bedding made of exceptionally soft materials like linen that won’t irritate your skin. The softer your bedding, the more comfortable you’ll feel, resulting in a great night of restful sleep.
Extras: You may not want to top your bed with lots of additional layers, but some people enjoy adding throw pillows and throw blankets for a fun, textured look. If you do enjoy decorating with bedding, look for throw pillows that feature a similar style and colorway as the rest of your bedding to keep things cohesive. You can also place a folded quilt or throw blanket at the foot of the bed for an inviting, layered aesthetic. Have fun mixing things up by layering lots of extra items on your bed to create a cozy, comfy haven.
Mirror. Don’t forget to include a nice, tall floor-length mirror so your guests can check out their outfits before they head out for the day.
Keep it versatile: The more bedding you use, the more options you’ll have throughout the changing seasons. For example, having a nice comforter during the winter and a few different blankets or quilts during the spring and summer give you more options when it comes to your desired comfort level.

Final Thoughts on what are the different Types of Bedding.

Now that you know more about the different types of bedding, finding the right match for your needs will be a breeze. Remember to keep things like material content, softness, and warmth into account when you shop for new bedding. With the right combination of products and the right layers, you’ll create the perfect sleeping environment to help you get a great night of restful, restorative sleep every single night.