Bedding Buying Bible

Bedding Buying Bible

Everything we can think of that you might need to know about bedding...(visit our Interesting Information page for things you don't really need to know but you might enjoy finding out about)

Sizing Statistics:

Pillows

Standard - 48 x 78cm (19" x 29")
King Size - 48 x 91cm (36" x 19")
Continental - 65 x 65cm (26" x 26")

Duvets

Single - 140cm x 200cm
Double - 200cm x 200cm
King - 230cm x 220cm
Super King - 260cm x 220cm

Cushions

30 x 30cm (11" x 11")
30 x 40cm (11" x 15")
30 x 50cm (11" x 19")
40 x 40cm (15" x 15")
45 x 45cm (17" x 17")

Curtains

Short - 168 x 137cm (66" x 54")
Medium - 168 x 183cm (66" x 72")
Long - 229 x 229cm (90" x 90")

Duvet Details

Tog Ratings - the 'tog' is a clever little term used as a measure of thermal resistance. We use it to demonstrate the heat holding abilities of each of our delightful duvets.

1.0 - 2.5 tog - Ultra light Summer duvet
3.0 - 4.5 tog - lightweight Summer duvet
9.0 - 10.5 tog - Spring/Autumn weight duvet
12.0 - 13.5 tog - Winter weight duvet

Just remember, the higher the tog the warmer the duvet. Easy peasy!

Natural or Synthetic Fillings -

Duvets with a natural filling are light, breathable, and warm and could last for up to 30 years. For those prone to allergies we also have a range of duvets with synthetic filling; these provide a comfortable alternative and most have the benefit of being machine washable. All our natural fillings are new feather or down (a by product of food production) and are cleaned lots and lots of times in the purification process.

Natural Fillings

Goose Down duvets are lighter in weight than Duck Down but still maintain the same level of warmth. Goose down is our "King" of downs as it is bigger and 'stickier' than duck down and the birds originate from colder climates - Northern Europe, Siberia & Russia, making it the plumpest.

Mulberry Silk is naturally hypo-allergenic and resistant to dust mites so even allergy sufferers can enjoy the luxury of this natural duvet. As a natural breathable fibre, silk helps regulate your body temperature keeping you snugly-warm in winter, without overheating, and cosy-cool in summer.

Cotton guarantees to make this duvet non allergenic at the same time as light and snug.

Synthetic Fillings

A common misconception is that a synthetic duvet will be colder and less effective than a natural-filled duvet such as goose down. This simply is not the case.

Fibre-filled duvets are less expensive and tend to be more practical than natural-filled duvets as they can be put in the washing machine and tumble dried. Their lifespan (about 10 years) is less than natural-filled duvets.

They're hypoallergenic, so are especially good for those who suffer from allergies such as asthma, eczema, rhinitis, or those sensitive to dust and so need to wash their duvets regularly.

Fillings are made from polyester, such as 'hollowfibre'. 'Microfibre' is the very latest in fibre filling and is closest in feel to natural down as it is extremely light-weight and is wonderfully soft.

Micro-down is a hypo-allergenic, luxurious alternative to natural down. It is a 100% polyester microfibre filling that shapes to your body for superior comfort and provides warmth so advanced it seems natural.

Cotton Touch is softer, lighter and more luxurious than standard hollowfibre duvets. Superior hollowfibre filled duvet designed for that 'tucked-in' feeling.

Duvet Casings -

All casings for duvets and pillows should be comfortable, absorbent and allow the body to 'breathe'. Our natural filled duvets have down-proof casings, with fabric tightly woven in order to prevent the filling from escaping. Cotton is the most popular material and the best duvets use a fine cotton cambric or jacquard weave. Higher quality duvets have a neat piped finish for extra strength.

Pillow Pointers

Pillows with a natural filling provide a snug fit around the head and shoulders. When there are more feathers in the pillow it tends to be more firm; when there is more down in the pillow it tends to be softer. For those that suffer from allergies a pillow with a synthetic filling may be a more suitable choice. It offers similar comfort and support without potential irritation for all those sensitive souls.

Bed Care Basics

We have a range of products to offer all of which will enhance the quality and comfort of your bed and bedding. Mattress and Pillow Protectors extend the product lifetime by preserving the shape and fabric of items as well as increasing comfort and providing protection against bed bugs.

Mattress protectors protect mattresses from general wear and tear, provide some protection from dust mites and add a layer of comfort.
Pillow protectors protect pillows from general wear and tear, provide some protection from dust mites and add a layer of comfort.
Mattress Toppers add a scrumptious quilted layer of padding to a mattress to refresh a tired old mattress or enhance the quality of a new mattress.

Allergies

Few allergy sufferers know that almost all feather and down allergies are actually a result of dust and dirt collected inside the duvet rather than the feather and down itself. Allergy sufferers shouldn't necessarily reject feather and down; many people who are allergic to animals are still able to use pure goose down duvets. High quality goose down duvets come covered in a tighter weave fabric than fibre-filled duvets, to eliminate discomfort from the filling poking through. Fibre-filled duvets are still a good bet as you can wash them frequently.

Colour Coordination

Colour Wheel

Combining contrasting colours (opposite ends of the colour wheel) creates a striking effect that really brings your bedroom to life. If you find the combination of bright colours is too much for you, you can tone down one or both colours by selecting a more subtle shade. Alternatively, you can just use splashes of bright colours to add life to your bedroom; e.g. a brightly coloured duvet cover would make a feature in a pale coloured room.

It is important to have a restful environment to encourage good sleep but that doesn't mean that vivid colours should be banished from the bedroom; they can feel surprisingly calming when combined with harmonious colours (close on the colour wheel). These colours combine easily to create a peaceful and relaxed effect, with none of the colours too dominant.

If you have any questions about this information, general comments about our website or if you just want a chat please get in touch - visit our Contact Us page.