7 Things You Need To Achieve The Perfect Bed

Everyone knows a good night's sleep is a precious gift so we do everything to get in eight hours of zzz's at least a couple of times a week. Aside from taking long hot showers, drinking chamomile tea and drenching your room in relaxing home scents, investing in high-quality bedding is a must, too! Know your bedding basics and you'll be on your way to dreamland in no time: 

1. Standard pillow

This is a large, rectangular pillow (the common size is 50x76cm), and is the most basic pillow you'd need for sleeping. Ideally, it should be firm enough to support your neck and align your back, but soft enough for comfortable snoozing. 

2. Fitted sheets 

A sheet with a garterized hem that lets you slip it over the mattress and tuck it under. A tip: if you don't have a fitted sheet just yet, use a flat sheet and fold in hospital corners to anchor it in place.  

3. Flat sheet

A straight, hemmed bed sheet that goes over your fitted sheet and below your comforter. You can use this without a comforter during the summer. 

4. Square pillow

The primary use of this 45x45cm pillow is decorative, but it is softer than the common throw pillow. Get a pillowcase in a color that complements your bed sheets. 

5. Bolster or kidney pillow

A long pillow that can either be hotdog-shaped or rectangular, it is an ideal "hugging" pillow. 

6. Duvet Filler or Comforter 

A quilted blanket stuffed with down, cotton, or wool, and is usually the topmost cover for a bed. Good for air-conditioned or chilly bedrooms. Note: If you're torn on choosing between a comforter or duvet filler, read this article. 

7. Duvet

This is the cover for your duvet filler or comforter, and has an opening on the side buttons. A duvet can help you save on laundry bills, as you don't have to launder the comforter as often. It's also a way to change the mood and color of your bed linen in a flash. 

This article ("Style School: Bed Linen") originally appeared in the RL Notebook of the May 2010 issue of Real Living Magazine. Main photo is by isolotti.com.