Item Of The Week ~ Bedding

Photo courtesy of Horchow

A beautifully dressed bed is the focal point of your bedroom. The colors, patterns and styles are unending. There is something to please everyone.

If your current bedding is hitting the 7-year-old mark, you're most likely due for some new bedding. Worn, faded, ripped bedding is not very inviting to slip into at the end of the day.

Photo courtesy of Horchow


While you may cringe at the prices, you can get some great deals on Bed-in-a-Bag items. Some of them even come with the sheets! You can get over the "wow, this is expensive" mantra by realizing just how many years you've used your old bedding. Time for some math.

You see a set that has everything (comforter, dust ruffle, shams, sheets, decorative pillows). Let's say it's $200.00. For the average, middle-class homeowner, you think that's a lot of money to spend on bedding. Well, not really. First look at all your getting for the $200.00. Second, even if it's not this large a set, divide that $200.00 by the 7 years people typically keep their bedding - that's about $28.58 a year. Is it expensive now?


Photo courtesy of Horchow

These pictures show just a few collections from Eastern Accents, a To-The-Trade company. Eastern accents offers custom bedding, as well as some Quick Ship items. A visit to their website will have you drooling over their offerings. If nothing else, they will provide you with some inspiration.


Photo courtesy of Eastern Accents

This one has the current "cool kid" - Orange.

Photo courtesy of Eastern Accents

A girl's room design that grows up with her. The use of pattern in this bedding is young and fresh, and should last for many years.

Photo courtesy of Eastern Accents

To be fair to the boys, here's one for their room.

Photo courtesy of Eastern Accents

You can get an extravagant look on a budget too. Just look at all the pictures - the "look" is in the pillows, the way the bed is made and, in some cases, the layering. The pictures below show bedding from Bed, Bath & Beyond. Some of the patterns are similar to the more expensive ones shown above.

Photo courtesy of Bed, Bath & Beyond


Add decorative pillows as shown; maybe drape a throw, light blanket or quilt that coordinates with the bedding (even if it's a solid) over the bottom corner of the bed. Mix up patterns and solids.

Photo courtesy of Bed, Bath & Beyond

Photo courtesy of Bed, Bath & Beyond


Pleasant dreams!

Mentioned in this post:

Horchow

Eastern Accents

Bed, Bath & Beyond

Copyright 2009 Kathy Passarette, Creative Home Expressions

Create A Relaxing Bedroom

Bedrooms wind up becoming a catch-all for everything at the end of the day. Clutter is a big part of the problem. It is really a matter of putting things in their proper place at the end of the night to avoid that. Sometimes it is necessary to employ closet organizers, or if you have the room under your bed, underbed storage containers.

It is also like the other rooms in your home - you don't have to put everything you own out in sight. Pictures and chachtkes should be kept to a minimum. This is a room that should invite relaxation so that you can relax, destress and be able to fall asleep.



To aide in the decluttering, a twice a year sweep through your closets should be done to clear out clothing that doesn't fit, that you haven't worn in two seasons or that is from the 1980's. Throw it out or donate it.

Surfaces (bedside tables, dressers) should be clear of only what you need; a lamp, one or two pictures, some tissues, a book. If your bedside tables have drawers, all the better. Keep your non-necessary items put away.

The bed is the focal point in the majority of bedrooms. It can also look disheveled if you are due for some new bedding. Worn out and faded bed linens can take even the most beautifully decorated bedroom down a notch. Invest in a nice comforter set to reflect the mood you want to set in the room. Make sure you have nice plump pillows, not only for sleeping, but to make your bed look inviting to you.

Finally, paint can make a huge difference in the way you perceive your bedroom. More soothing, relaxing colors such as green and blue can be made to feel warm and cozy with some touches of brown.

Copyright 2008 Creative Home Expressions