Custom Bedding Design Tips from Tanner Meyer
Bedding can truly make a difference in creating a rich and luxurious bed. Have you ever seen a really well-put together bed? If so, you know that a lot of thought and investment goes into making a bed “pop”. When designing a lavish bed, there is a lot to consider regarding bedding, fabrics, design coordination, selection, pricing, sources, construction, quality, and more. However, there are three basic elements that are key to creating any amazing bed – functionality, top of bed, and loft.
Functionality: This pertains to the functional pieces that touch the body (i.e. sheeting and blanketing). It is important not to skimp on sheets and blankets, even if they are not generally visible. They are the elements that surround your body and create a luxuriously comfortable sleeping experience. Make sure sheets are high-quality Egyptian cotton, and do get caught up on thread count. The quality of sheets depends on the quality of the cotton, including how it is milled and woven, and a higher thread count does not necessarily equal a better sheet. Ideally, a 600 thread count is best because it feels luxurious yet lets the body breathe. Be sure to purchase fitted sheets that are deep enough for your mattress. Good sheets are a wise investment, and you can extend their life by washing them gently and drying them on low heat and removing them from the dryer just before they are completely dry.
Blanketing consists of coverlets, matelassé’s, or duvet fillers. These should be easy to clean and breathable, and should provide warmth. Some duvets and blankets may contain feather fillings that can irritate allergies, so be sure to consider if that will be an issue.
Top of Bed: This is the part of the bed that is seen, or the “icing on the cake” if you will. Think of it as the ball gown that covers your undergarments. The point is, do not sit on it, use it as a blanket, let the pets on it, or wash it. If you are worried about washable top bedding, they you should not be worried about having a luxurious looking bed in the first place. In most cases, luxury and custom bedding will need to be dry cleaned. The sky is the limit when it comes to the top of your bed. Use your imagination and creativity to select the pieces you love most. The bed can have as many layers and pillows as you want, or can be streamlined and minimalistic. Keep a scrap book or Pinterest account with bedding ideas to inspire you. Just remember, the more layers and pillows you do use, the more time you will spend every day making it up. If you do not have the time, consider a more minimalistic look, and reserve the layered styles for the guest room. Hint: Today’s pillow top mattresses require super queen and super king duvets and coverlets to hang down far enough on the sides. These can only be purchased in a high end retail bedding store or ordered as custom bedding.
Loft: This simply refers to how full and fluffy the bedding looks. By the time you have sheets, use duvet fillers as a blanket, and stuff the duvet with proper fillers, the bed will look luxuriously lofty and inviting. Pillow and duvet fillers can be expensive, so make sure to invest in the fillers that give the bed the look you want, and also make you feel comfortable. If feather fill bothers you, select poly fill or a combo poly/feather. Do not skimp on this portion of the bedding, or your expensive top of bed will look cheap. Hint: if you want your duvet to look very lofty and luxurious fill it with 2 or even 3 duvet fillers. Also, if you order a super queen or king duvet make sure to get a super queen or king duvet filler.
This information really only begins to scratch the surface of the custom bedding design process. However, if you make your decisions based on functionality, top of bed, and loft you will be well on your way to having the magazine-quality style and look you have always wanted in a bed.
About TannerMeyer
TannerMeyer is the largest provider of designer window treatments and bedding in the Mid-South. For years we have been asking our customers what is most important to them when shopping for designer drapery, bedding, and blinds. Of course selection, price, and quality are important, but at the end of the day the resounding answer is “MAKE IT EASY.” Making it easy is what we are all about at TannerMeyer Drapery, Bedding, and Blinds. Just how do we do this you may ask? A large part of the reason the process is easy is because founders Tim Tanner and Kip Meyer have spent years in the design industry specifically focused on only Drapery, Bedding, and Blinds and provide exceptional service and insight for each customer.
