A duvet cover has many functions including protection, temperature control and aesthetic appeal. 

• A duvet cover protects your duvet from sweat, body cells, dirt and spills, by providing a protective cover.
• It also makes it easy to keep the duvet clean. You can simply take the duvet cover off and wash that, rather than the duvet itself, which is much easier and more convenient especially it today’s hectic world.
• Aesthetic appeal is another advantage of your duvet cover. There are so many patterns, colours, styles and materials available, you really our spoilt for choice. This allows you to change the look and feel of your bedroom in a flash.
• Being the right temperature in bed is essential for a good night’s sleep. If you are too cold or too warm, your sleep quality will be affected. Choose duvet covers made of fabrics that breathable or insulating (depending on the season) to ensure a blissful night. (See below about the right type of duvet covers for each season)
• Finally, duvet covers provide convenience. They usually come with either popper, button or zipper fastenings making them easy to take on and off duvets, as well as ensuring the duvet stays in place!

Choose the duvet cover material depending on the season.

• Autumn/winter – Choose heavier weight materials for bedding,  like brushed cotton or flannelettes which provide a good layer of insulation.
• Spring/summer – lighter weight materials like cotton, linen and bamboo which are breathable and wick moisture away keeping you nice and cool.

Caring properly for your duvet cover is vitally important, to ensure both longevity, comfort and maintaining it’s aesthetic appeal.

• Wash your duvet cover regularly and iron if needed.
• Always follow the washing instructions on the label. The label is usually found on the inside of the duvet cover.
• Never use high heat. A embellished duvet cover can potentially be ruined in high heat.
• Use a mild detergent
• Use a fabric softener – especially for first washes

Which type of bedding is right for me?

Choosing the right fabric for bedding is important for both comfort and practicality. Here’s a guide to help you make the best choice based on your needs:

Cotton

Cotton bedding is strong, breathable and soft. It is a great staple and suitable for all seasons. Cotton bedding, especially duvet covers are made in a number of different thread counts. The higher the thread count, the more durable and soft the bedding is.

The best cotton for duvet covers are ones with longer fibres like Egyptian cotton or Pima cotton. These are more durability and softness. Take a look at our 1000 thread count, cotton duvet covers here. https://www.homespacedirect.com/dorchester-cotton-bedding-sets-1000-tc-white

Linen

Like cotton, linen bedding is highly breathable, but is also moisture-wicking, and naturally hypoallergenic. Linen duvet cover and bedding are perfect for warm climates as it keeps you cool at night.

Linen bedding is very modern and gives your bedroom a easy, casual look. It is usually more expensive then cotton, but looks great and has longevity.

Silk

Luxuriously smooth, soft, and naturally hypoallergenic so great for sensitive skin. Silk duvet cover have temperature-regulating properties, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Flannel

Flannelette is perfect for winter. It is soft and warm and made from  cotton, but usually heavier then unbrushed cotton. Extremely comfortable bedding.

Microfiber (and polyester)

We are seeing more and more microfibre bedding available now as we become more budget conscious and advances in microfibre production technology. Microfibre duvet covers and sheets feel incredibly soft and are easy care as they don’t wrinkle much in the washing machine or dryer! The only down side is microfibre is not very breathable so you can feel hot under it.

Bamboo

Bamboo is similar to linen in that it is soft, breathable and above all, moisture wicking. However, bamboo bedding is a sustainable option and it is very eco-friendly, hence getting more and more popular by the day.

The post Why use a duvet cover & types of bedding appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.

What are the different types of towels?

Towels come in a range of sizes, weights, materials and quality, and can sometimes boggle the mind as to which ones are right for you. Below is our towel buying guide which should answer some questions.

Sizes of Towels

The most common types of towels for your bathroom are:

• Face towel (sometimes known as wash cloths, flannels or face flannels) – typical size 30x30cm
• Hand towel – 50x80cm
• Bath towel – 70x 120cm
• Bath sheet – 90x140cm
• Super sheet – 100x180cm

What are towels used for?

Face cloths

These days, face towels are often found in hotels and spas. Used to dry your face when you have washed it to remove excess make up and dirt particles picked up during the day. Traditionally, face cloths, were known as wash cloths and are used when a quick sink wash is required (rather then a shower/bath). Wash cloths can also used to wipe the face and body down whilst having a shower or bath.

Hand Towels

A little larger than face cloths, hand towels are used for exactly that. To dry your hands. Commonly found in the bathroom, they are necessity in the washroom.  Hand towels are also good for use in the kitchen to wipe your hands after cutting, blending, washing etc.

Bath Towels

Bath towels are used for drying when you come out of the bath/shower. Their size is ample for an averaged size person, or child. Bath towels are light weight and great for wrapping round your head to dry your hair. However, if you prefer to wrap a towel round your body after your bath you may prefer a larger towel, known as a bath sheet.

Bath Sheets

Bath sheets are bigger than bath towels and give increased coverage over bath towels. Increased coverage also means increased absorbency and increased luxury. The larger size is also handy for those of us who are bigger than average size, giving the extra coverage necessary.

Take a look at the many different types of towels we have got. https://www.homespacedirect.com/bath-linen/bath-towels.html

Take a look at some towel bales that have the different types of towels. We love fashionable ones like these Royal Velvet Towel Bales in grey!

Which towel material is the best?

Combed cotton is the best material for towels.  Within that, Egyptian cotton and Supima cotton towels are the Rolls Royce of material. Both types of cotton have extra long fibres which bind to form dense loops, making the towels thicker and more absorbent. Then there is how many fibres or weight you get per square meter. The higher the weight, the more absorbent, softer and luxurious the towel. This measure is known as grams per square meter or GSM.

What does GSM mean?

Towels that have a GSM les then 300 are usually, thin, not very absorbent and feel rather rough and course and do not have any longevity.  Personally, I would never buy these entry level towels.  GSM 400-500 are mid-range towels, have good absorbency and are soft. The densely packed fibres also prevent pilling, making your towels last longer. This range is great for every day use and for your guest bathroom. Top of the range 600 GSM and above are the ones to go for if your budget allows. Super soft, nice and thick, and very absorbent and hold enough water, these are hotel quality towels that you will love.

Caring for your bath towels

Wash your towels at the highest temperature allowed on the care label. Bacteria love towels, especially if they have been thrown on the floor after use and not dried out properly.

Don’t use bleach or chlorine. Most modern-day towels have a finishing that shouldn’t be bleached. Bleach also weakens the cotton fibres over time. Similarly, adding softeners adds a coating to towels that again inhibits absorbency.  

Replacing your towels

After lengthy use, towels will start showing signs of wear and tear and will be ready to be replaced. As towels get old they lose their absorbency because, yes you guessed it, the threads are no longer as densely packed and some may become loose or lost over time. Because cotton is a natural fibre, it does break down over time.

Also, if your towel begins to smell after one or two uses, it has probably become home to bacteria and so it’s time to say good bye.

Of course visible signs like freying, holes, and thread bear are also a reason to say adios!

Design of towels

Towels now come in a array of designs and colours. There is no need to stick to the old staples of plain white, cream or beige, or the lovely thin stripe ones that your gran had. Match the design and colour of your towels to that of your bathroom.  Use bright and contrasting colours. Mix and match them to brighten up your mood when you walk in to the bathroom. I’ve seen bright orange, fuchsia pink and lime coloured towels looking fabulous.

Towels for en-suites

For those of you lucky enough to have an en-suite bathroom, co-ordinate the design and colours of your towels to those of your bedroom, so it looks like a natural extension.

The post What sizes are towels and what are towels made of? appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.

Whether you are looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day, with a significant other or your friends, we have some fun ideas for you to try. Take a look at our COVID friendly Valentine’s Day dates below.

Date ideas for lockdown at home:

Why not spend the night in? Blow the dust off those cookery books and learn to cook a new meal together. It might be an idea to put away all phones and gadgets whilst you’re eating, so you can be in the moment completely. After a delicious meal cooked together, you can decide between board games (which in our experience can usually make or break a relationship). Alternatively, if you are wanting a tamer end to your night: a good rom-com film never goes amiss.

Are you looking for something to do during the day but the weather just isn’t playing fair? Indulge yourself in your own person spa day! Spa days don’t have to be expensive when you are at home. All you need is: candles, fresh towels, face cloths, face masks, a warm relaxing bubble bath and bath salts. Additionally, grab anything else that makes you feel happy and relaxed (we find chocolate is very good for both of those things) . You might even find a willing candidate to give you a massage or two.

Lockdown date ideas outside

Although it is rare in the middle of February in England, let’s hope the weather will be beautiful. If the sun is shining, why not explore nearby parks, fields, country parks, and hills? In Greater Manchester, we are very lucky to be surrounded by amazing countryside and views. To the east we have the Peak District and to the west we have Cheshire & Merseyside. There are some real hidden gems around us, tucked away in the small villages and hills. Likewise, you can explore and find a hidden gem near you. Remember to bring the essentials on your walk: water, snacks (lots of them), a blanket, a hot drink flask (with hot drink included). In fact, if you want to wait up to watch the sunset, remember to take a warm scarf and gloves with you!

If you are stuck at home alone, or without those you love and you need some Valentine’s day date ideas for lockdown. We’ve rattled our heads together to come up with a few ideas for you! Obviously, depending on your location and restrictions, you may be able to go for a socially distanced walk with someone. On the other hand, if you were looking for some zoom date night inspiration, look no further.

Zoom call date ideas:

How well do you know your significant other? Try a fun quiz to see who knows who better! From favourite colour to best memory together, I am sure you can think of some things you really want to know about them. If you are over 18 and want to make it more interesting, create tipple shot related punishments for wrong answers!

If that seems a bit too personal (and maybe dangerous if you have a particularly forgetful partner), why not search Youtube for pub quizzes or more general knowledge quizzes which you can play along to? Better yet, create fun forfeits. For example, the loser has to buy the next meal when we are finally allowed out to restaurants (just make sure you win that round…).

Some people are just happy to see, sit and chat with a loved one without the distraction of games, videos and music. Does this sound like you? If so, plan your evening around each other. Make your favourite meal and have a romantic zoom meal for two, and afterwards cosy up with your favourite blanket and chat the night away.

Don’t have zoom? You can download it here

Lastly, we all know that nothing is ideal at the moment, we are missing loved ones, and even missing those we hadn’t realised we would. Above all else, we just have to stick together and get through this. At HomeSpace Direct, we wish you a very happy Valentine’s Day and remember to #staysafe.

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Originally created as a deep-touch pressure stimulator for children with special needs, such as ADHD and Autism, the weighted blanket has slowly migrated into a must-have accessory for people of all ages. The soothing affect of the body wrap is a direct result of desensitisation, reducing fidgeting and can also aid with issues such as fibromyalgia and arthritis by aiding in a healthy night’s sleep.

Sleep is the most undervalued form of nutrition we desperately need for our mind, body and soul. The body can repair, heal and function at optimum levels when we restore our energy levels and recharge our brain.

Anxiety causes the brain and body to become restless, resulting in an inability to sit still for long periods of time. The extra weight restricts the consistency of body- jitters and excessive micro movements, which retrains the body and mind to adapt to relaxing for periods of time sufficient enough to replenish health and vitality.

Where best than to find comfort than in your own home? Make your Space feel like Home with the amazing range of soft home furnishings on our website!  We stock a huge range of funky floral #fabric #tablecloths, bold #bedding, comfy #cushions, and beautiful #bathroom necessities.

We are delighted to be back, providing our wonderful dedicated customers with their favourite fancy frills and detailing the world with distinguishable #decor.

Pillow Talk

For extra comfort and a more restful night’s sleep, check out our range of pillows! We stock Goose Feather and Down, Duck Feather and Down, Dunlopillo and Hollowfibre Pillows at unbeatable competitive prices! Reducing back, neck pain and body aches. It is vital to replace pillows every 2-3 years. Keep pillows fresh and free of dust mites and bed buds by regularly vacuuming them the accurate way. Excessive accumulation of dust mites can cause the pillow to appear heavy and disperses the filling unevenly. To thoroughly refresh pillows close to their original state, assure the hoover is pressed firmly into the centre of the cushion filling. Not only will this improve your sleep but your overall health! Selecting the right pillow for you will depend on your sleeping position and physical health status, taking into consideration any medical conditions that cause body pain will also be a determining factor as to which cushion is best for you! We will go into this in more depth in our next blog post. In the mean time, enjoy the latest discounted prices we have on our website! Link below!

www.homespacedirect.com

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 If Covid-19 has you stuck in doors, it is a great opportunity to give your house a spring clean. See our blog about spring cleaning. https://www.homespacedirect.com/blog/spring-cleaning-bedroom-5-things-list/

5 quick ways to get your home summer ready.

1. Give doors and skirting boards a quick lick of paint. Paint on woodwork tends to fade over time, and a coat of paint can really brighten up a room or hall.
2. If you have the budget, changing your curtains to a lighter weight and brighter colour can make a huge difference not only to your mood, but how warm your room looks. Lighter weight curtains will let the sun shine through and brighten the room of a morning.
3. Changing bedding and cushions/throws is also a good, quick and low cost way of adding summer colours to your rooms.
4. Get planting – plant seeds and bulbs so they are ready to come up in the summer. Prune rose bushes and cut back dead wood on other trees/bushes so they flourish stronger in the summer.  If you didn’t plant bulbs in the winter, the shops will have many daffodils for you to either plant in to your garden, or straight in to a pot for the conservatory.  You can also buy plants now that will be ideal for growing in-doors over the summer.  We all know the positive effects of plants in a room – whether it be for the Oxygen they transpire, being a focal point or just making us feel better.
5. Tidy up the garden. Pull out those winter weeds, clear the rubbish.

The post 5 ways to get your home summer ready appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.

Summer is in full swing and even breaking records this year in the UK and whilst many of us love the sun and the warm weather can render sleeping in hot summer nights a difficult task. With recent heat waves pushing summer temperatures to heights of 38 degrees in some parts of the country we at HomeSpace Direct recognise that this can be one of the hardest times to get a good night’s sleep and have compiled some basic tips on how to ensure you still get the optimum level of sleep and keep cool this summer.

1) Regulate the temperature of your bedroom

It may seem obvious to keep your bedroom as cool as possible but some methods of doing so may not be completely self explanatory; if your bedroom is positioned on the side of your house that receives the most sun consider leaving the curtains or blinds drawn throughout the day to block out the heat. This can even apply to keeping your windows shut to keep out hot air but make sure to open up the windows before going to bed for a while to let air in. Black-out and thermal curtain sets can also help to block out the sun.

2) Use the right bedding

Using thinner sheets and taking your duvet out of your duvet cover are good ways to reduce heat in bed. Having a winter and a summer bedding set is a great idea to control your temperature at night.

Cotton is also much cooler and more breathable than manmade fabrics and purchasing high quality cotton bedding will make the difference. Look for cotton with a low thread count as that will make the most breathable bedding. Stay away from polyester bedding – this makes you hot at the best of times, and really no good on hot nights.

3) Stay hydrated

Dehydration can be a big issue in weather this hot so it’s always a good idea to drink a lot of water throughout the day whilst being careful not to drink too much approaching bedtime so as to avoid waking up for the toilet during the night.

Drinking a lot doesn’t mean drink anything though; drinking large amounts of soft drinks could lead to a high caffeine intake resulting in trouble sleeping. Drinking more alcohol (as many of us do when the weather gets nice) is also not considered a good idea; whilst it can help us fall asleep initially it often results in waking up in the middle of the night and generally worse sleep. Both Caffeine and alcohol increase dehydration and that can be a leading cause of insomnia.

4) Keep to the same routine

Whilst a quick nap in the sun might seem relaxing, interrupting your sleep pattern can be detrimental to your sleep at night; having a regulated sleep pattern can help sleep in general.  Try to go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning.

5) Things you can use to cool down

Using a fan to keep cool

Utilizing fans can be a great way of keeping your room cool, make sure the door or even windows are open to allow for airflow and if this isn’t enough placing a tray of ice cubes in front of the fan to cool the air blown around the room works like DIY air conditioning.

If you struggle to sleep with the sound of a fan, taking a cool or lukewarm bath/ shower before bed can help.  Don’t take hot baths/showers as this raises body temperature.

Using cool water to cool you down

Using a water spray on your face and body can help cool you down and is useful to keep by the side of your bed.

Applying wet cloths to the skin or wearing wristbands soaked in cool water is a good way to cool down, as well as soaking your feet in cool or lukewarm water before getting in bed; heat is lost quicker through your extremities (feet and head) and wetting your hair can also help. In a similar way you could try using a hot water bottle filled with cold water and pressing it against pulse points (neck, wrists, back of the knees and ankles). A tied off sock filled with rice and placed in the freezer can also be used as a DIY solution if you don’t own a hot water bottle. You could even try putting bed sheets in a plastic bag and placing them in the freezer for a short amount of time to make your whole bed ice cool.

Dampening sheets slightly before getting in bed can keep you cooler initially and help you get to sleep although some research suggests adding liquid to your bed in this way or by putting your sheets in the freezer can mean the liquid will warm up through the night and cause uncomfortable heat.

6) Turn off plug sockets

You’d be surprised how much heat a plug socket can produce, try turning these off all around your house particularly where you sleep and try not to keep too many electronic devices running or charging either.

7) Keep lights off to keep cool

Keeping lights out in your house may seem an obvious way to avoid unnecessary heat but it is an easy tip to forget and every little helps when trying to maintain a lower temperature in your house.

8) Pyjamas

Wearing fewer clothes is not necessarily a better idea in high temperatures and high quality but loose fitting cotton pyjamas are best advised as these help to soak up sweat rather than leaving it on the body.

9) Eat cooler foods

Apart from it not being a good idea to use your oven too excessively when your house is too warm what you are eating may seem irrelevant to how warm you are. Contrary to this, cooler room temperature meals like salads are more advisable with spicy foods and steaks being a bad idea. In fact vegetarian meals in general should be considered as the body produces more heat after eating meats than fruit and vegetables.

10) Sleep downstairs

Heat rises so if all else fails and none of these tips make the heat any less bearable you could try sleeping downstairs as this should be the cooler part of your house.

Though here in Britain heat waves are rare the lack of air conditioning can make sleeping particularly punishing in the humid heat. Don’t be caught out and tired all day and try some of these tips to make sure you get a healthy 8 hours sleep.

If none of this helps the British weather is sure to return to its usual grey self and enable you to catch up on that much needed sleep soon.

The post 10 Tips for Sleeping in a Hot Summer’s Night appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.

“Sleep is the best meditation” – Dalai Lama

The 15th of March is world sleep day; an annual day aimed at raising awareness of sleep related issues including medicine, education, social aspects and driving as well as the importance of sleep. Some conditions we focus on for world sleep day and that cause a loss of sleep are:

Insomnia – Can cause difficulty falling asleep, waking up often during the night, generally unrefreshing sleep, waking up too early in the morning and having trouble getting back to sleep.

Sleep apnea – A sleep disorder that occurs when the persons breathing is interrupted; There are two types of sleep apnea: Obstructive sleep apnea which is caused by the blockage of the airway and Central sleep apnea, a less common variant of the disorder where the brain fails to tell the body to breathe. Symptoms of these can be snoring and gasping for air during sleep.

Restless legs syndrome – Causes the sufferer discomfort in the legs and a strong urge to move them and can often occur during the evenings making it particularly hard to sleep.

Narcolepsy– Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder of sleep regulation where the sufferer can experience excessive tiredness in the day and even uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep.

Kleine Levin syndrome – sufferers of this disorder can sleep for up to 20 hours a day, for several weeks

Night sweats– these are caused by underlying health conditions such as certain types of cancer, certain infections and can also be a symptom of menopause.

If you suspect you may have any of these sleep disorders the best course of action is to discuss it with your doctor, a sleep diary may help you to inform your doctor fully of your symptoms. If your doctor suspects you may have a sleep condition you may be referred to a sleep clinic where a specialist can carry out a sleep study.

How much sleep should I get?

Over the years specialists are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of good sleep on our mental and physical health and though we are far from understanding sleep entirely there is no doubt that there are some clear benefits of getting a healthy amount of sleep.  Before thinking about these benefits it’s important to ask; what is a healthy amount of sleep?

We have all heard the supposed 8 hour recommendation but people are much more complex than that and the amount of sleep one needs can vary drastically from person to person. According to studies the average person gets roughly 6.8 hours of sleep per night which for some people can be completely fine but for others can result in overall poorer health. Oversleeping can also prove to be the result of various conditions as well as being linked to the same conditions as not getting enough sleep.

How to improve your sleep

With all this in mind it can be hard to find the right balance though at Homespace Direct we have put together some key tips on how to secure a good night sleep.

Maintaining a consistent sleep pattern – Most specialists agree on the unquestionable benefits of maintaining a healthy sleeping routine. Your body’s internal clock plays a key role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle and tells your body when it’s time to wake up and when to start unwinding in the evening.  An inconsistent sleep schedule can result in drowsiness, memory issues, headaches and a decline in basic cognitive skills.

Meditation – known as a great way to combat insomnia but practiced by many around the world before going to bed to relieve stress as it goes without saying that we sleep much better when we are free from stress.

Exercise – Exercise during the day is a great way to relieve tension and ensure you will sleep better at night, just don’t do too much vigorous exercise directly before bed as it can keep you awake.

No Screens – Bright screens on mobile phones, computers and laptops keep us awake and unable to sleep as well.

Alcohol – Many of us believe alcohol helps us get to sleep as it may do initially but it also prevents us going into deep sleep (REM) and can disrupt your sleep later in the night.

Caffeine – A reduction in caffeine seems an obvious way to help your sleep but many people don’t realise how detrimental drinking tea, coffee, cola’s or eating chocolate during the evening can prove to your sleep; try a warm milky or herbal drink in the evenings and you should notice a big difference

A comfortable sleeping environment – Comfort is extremely important when trying to sleep and bed, mattress, bedding and pillows should always be of importance.

Benefits of getting better sleep.

There are many benefits to following these guidelines for better sleep,here are a few reasons why good sleep helps you feel your best:

Reduced stress – Being tired can cause your brain to produce elevated levels of stress hormones

Improved Memory – Sleep is the perfect time for your brain to organise and store memories and so not getting enough sleep can cause memory loss or forgetfulness

Lowering blood pressure – Lack of sleep can cause high blood pressure resulting in increased risk of cardiovascular conditions or stroke.

Immune system – Healthy sleep allows your body to create extra protein molecules which fight infection.

Weight and appetite – Studies show that poor sleep has a direct impact on an increased appetite and so sleeping well can make it much easier to maintain a healthy weight.

How can we at Homespace Direct help you sleep?

As previously mentioned a comfortable sleeping environment can have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep and this is where we come in. It is vital not to ignore the importance of bedding on your sleep, for example sleeping in a cooler room is said to allow you to fall asleep faster and to sleep deeper so lighter materials should be considered depending on the season/ temperature of your room (Some experts even suggest that sleeping naked can help so maybe even take how you personally sleep into account when choosing lighter or hotter duvets).

In a recent study good sleepers reported prioritising clean sheets as a factor in their sleep and how often you replace your bedding also has an impact on sleep hygiene.

Materials on duvet covers vary in weight and can alter how hot or cool you are as you sleep. Thread count is a basic measure of the fineness of its stitching. It comes in threads per square inch and sleep experts recommend staying in 400-500 thread count range.

Cotton is also considered a superior material and synthetic materials will generally be hotter. At Homespace we offer 100% cotton duvet covers in a plethora of different styles.

Sometimes the only adjustment you need for better sleep is a new pillow. We offer many different Dunlopillo pillows suited to different needs with varying firmness and levels of support. Sometimes the pillow you need can be tailored to your needs.

Whether you favour floral designs, modern, traditional or designer products you can find high quality bedding that will suit your needs in a variety of designs and price ranges this world sleep day here at Homespace Direct.

The post How to get a better night’s sleep – world sleep day appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.

You can decorate your bedroom with pretty fairy lights. You can place them over the headboard, along the curtains or even delicately over curtain rails. Curtain voiles are also a good way to add a bit of elegant mystique to your Christmas bedroom. You can dress your windows with them or even create  a canopy over your bed.

Your bed is the biggest piece of furniture in your bedroom and also the focal point.  So, dressing your bed to fit your style but bringing out a festive mood is  a must.   You don’t have to have an all obvious Christmas theme and you have various options.

1. To provide a contemporary festive/wintery feel to your bedroom you can get lovely bedding. Brushed cotton material is warm and soft and just by looking at it, gives you a cosy feeling.  To give you a contemporary look you can go for the many Scandinavian style designs that are available or even something like a stag print which is so fashionable these days. Silver/grey colourways also give a modern look.

   

   

   

2. You can create a traditional look to your bedroom by using traditional Christmas colours like reds and greens. Mix these up with bits of gold and silver decor, like tinsel, cushions, and throws and you will have a gorgeous looking bedroom.

   

3. Obviously Christmas. One way you can be totally Christmas with your bedroom by using fun Christmas bedding. You can have fun, grown up designs like Christmas trees, St Nicholas or even the three wise men. You can dress these sets throws and cushions to make your bedroom just that little bit more special.

   

Don’t forget that you can make your bedroom smell like Christmas too. A lovely candle with a Christmas fragrance like Frankincense and Merr or something a bit more wintery will give your bedroom a lovely aroma.

One of the best things I’ve seen recently is Christmas wall tapestry.  Yes, it’s a lot of work for something that you will have up for 4 weeks at the most, but oh my, it sets the room off beautifully.

The above should give you plenty of ideas to decorate a Christmas bedroom perfectly.

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There is a big difference in what you should have for winter and summer bedding. Winter can get very cold here and it’s definitely not affordable for everyone to have the heating on all night. So, once summer gets here, change the bedding that you use to the following.

1. Change your duvet. Duvets are made in various togs, ranging from 4.5 to 15 tog and above. They also vary in the filling, from man made hollowfibre to natural fillings like feather and down. The higher the tog rating the warmer the duvet, so 15 tog is what you need during a very cold winter, and 4.5 tog is ideal for spring/summer.  It will be nice and light weight, with less filling to help you keep nice and cool.  Of course, you don’t have to use a duvet and duvet cover for your summer bedding. You can swap for a lightly quilted bedspread, and it will do a similar job.

2. Check the material of your duvet cover. Polyester (including microfiber) duvet covers are absolutely a no no for the summer. Polyester is a man made product and is not breathable and thereby retains heat – you will be rather sweaty if you use a all polyester duvet cover. There are also duvet covers which are polyester on the top and polycotton on the reverse. These are marginally better than the 100% polyester but I would still not use them. They will keep you unnecessarily sweaty! My choice would be either a all polycotton or ideally a 100% cotton duvet cover. Cotton is a fantastic, natural fibre, which absorbs heat and is totally breathable. It will go a long way to keep you nice and cool. It has other properties as well like being soft on your skin and lasting longer.

3. Check your sheets. Don’t forget the same applies to your sheets regarding materials. Polycotton sheets are great, but cotton will be better.

4. Do you use mattress toppers or protectors? If you do, then you will have to check these too. Ensure your mattress protector has a  100% cotton cover, but most mass market protectors will have man made (hollowfibre) fillings.

5. Temperature regulating pillows. I love these pillows as they are made to adjust the temperature around your head to an ambient temperature. They work by absorbing excess heat and then releasing this heat if the temperature drops. Because of the way these pillows work, they are ideal for winter too. These types of pillows are widely available – a quick Google search should help you find some.

Keeping your room temperature down will also help.  You can try some or all of the below.

1. Keep a small window open (providing there is a low risk of burglary/high noise levels).
2. Keep a small fan on to help circulate the air.
3. Switch off heat generating devices like televisions, tablets, computers.
4. Keep your bedroom door ajar.

Hopefully the above or a combination of the above will help you stay cool this summer, and your nights won’t be too hot and sweaty.

The post Hot and sweaty nights – get the perfect summer bedding. appeared first on HomeSpace Direct.

1. Material

Firstly, decide what material you would like. There are three main types of material used for duvet covers in the UK and Europe.

• 100% polyester
• Polyester and cotton mix
• 100% cotton

Each of the above material have different properties, feel and looks.

Polyester is often used for duvet covers that need a shine or sheen to them. They usually have a silky/satin feel.  However, polyester is a man made material and isn’t as naturally breathable as say cotton.  This makes polyester duvet covers generally warm and sweaty to sleep under as your own perspiration does not get absorbed into the material.  A lot of people also complain of their duvet “slipping” inside the cover and ending up on one side or at the bottom of the duvet cover, so not ideal for  a good and warm nights sleep.  The slippy nature of the duvet cover is due to the polyester which has a smooth and silky surface.

To help minimise the effects of the above, a lot of polyester duvet covers have the polyester on the top side, to ensure a good look, and polyester cotton mix or 100% cotton on the reverse, so it is nicer on your skin and minimises the slipping of the duvet.

If you were to buy a polyester duvet, I would recommend that you get one that has either a polycotton or cotton reverse.

Polyester and cotton mix – (also known as polycotton) duvet covers are the most popular.  Polycotton duvet covers have the best of both worlds in that they can have good designs and embellishments on them, and also have the absorbency and softness of cotton.  Whilst they will never have the properties of 100% cotton duvet covers, the amount of cotton in the duvet cover will give you an indication of close it will get. Most popular mixes are 48% cotton 52% polyester or 50%  of each. Cotton rich duvet covers are available and generally have 60% or more of cotton.

Polycotton duvet covers are also a lot easier to care for then 100% cotton, in that they dry a lot quicker, and are far easier to iron.

100%  cotton – 100% cotton duvet covers are the most luxurious. Natural fibre with great aeration and absorbency properties, make them perfect for keeping you warm in the cold and cool in the warm.  Cotton is also naturally soft, so cotton bedding feels great on your skin.

Cotton duvet covers and bedding in general will also last longer the polyester or polycotton bedding. It will take longer to “bobble” and will look good as new for a lot longer.

Once you  have decided which material is right for you, you then need to decide what kind of embellishment you would like. It is a matter of personal choice and you can choose from plain, printed, embroidered or “bling” bedding which is in vogue at the moment.

2. Pattern

Plain bedding – A lot of people prefer plain and simple bedding. Plain duvet covers are available in a vast number of colours and shades, and available in all different types of materials. Plain bedding is easy to co-ordinate with bedroom decor and does create a simple and serene ambiance which is perfect for sleeping in. Plain bedding has the advantage that it is relatively cheaper then highly embellished or embroidered versions.

Printed bedding – Printed duvet covers can have a vast variety of designs, colours and types of prints. Whether you want something bright and floral for the summer, something retro, something quirky or something fun, there are lots of designs out there.

There are also different types of prints, created using different methods, like photographic prints, screen prints or block prints. Photographic prints are currently in vogue, where a photograph is used to make the print. They usually result in sharper and more life like prints.

Embroidered and embellished duvet covers – Intricate embroidery or fancy weaves such as jacquard, and a little bit of extra interest to your duvet cover. Embellishment also adds interest and this is quite the trend at the moment.  Duvet covers with diamante embellishments, or crushed velvet bands go some way to bring some bling to your bedroom.   Many bedding sets in this kind of range tend to have accessories that help again to jazz up the set. Accessories like throws, runners and cushion covers are usually available.

3. Quality

As with everything, quality is important and I would always recommend buying the best quality that your budget allows. Apart from material, bedding quality is measured in thread counts. The thread count is the number of threads per square inch on the bedding or duvet cover material. The higher the thread count, the tighter the weave making the fabric stronger and softer. Lower thread count bedding will be very thin and almost see through. It also won’t last long and will bobble after a few washes.

Bedding known as percale, has a minimum of 180 thread counts per square inch and this is usually a good starting point. You can get very high thread count bedding, right up to 1000 and sometimes more. Pure luxury.

4 .Colour

Finally you need to decide on a colour. You may decide on a colour that co-ordinates with the decor of your bedroom, or even the carpet colour. You may have a neutral colour scheme in your bedroom in which case you can go for any colour – your favourite colour may be. Colour however, plays a big part in interior designing and also effecting how you feel or your moods. See our guide about choosing colours for interior designing  for a more in-depth look at the effects of colour.

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