10 Tips for Buying Bedding on a Budget

The experts share what to look for and how to cut when it comes to the right bedding.

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September 23, 2019

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Photo By: Chad Mellon

Photo By: Marisa Vitale

Photo By: Werner Straube

Photo By: Sarah Hebenstreit / Modern Kids Co.

Photo By: Kristina Wolf

Photo By: Photography by Chad Jackson

Photo By: Jeff Herr

Photo By: Hyde Evans Design

Photo By: Amy Lutz

High Thread Count Counts

Cotton sheets are described by thread count, which literally means the number of threads in the cloth. Most sheets are in the 200 range, while expensive sheets are more than 500. The higher the thread count, the softer and more durable they are. Hold up a sheet to the light to determine its quality. Light will not shine through a high-thread-count sheet. Also, high-thread-count sheets won't fuzz or pill. Another great way to test this is to scratch the sheet with your fingernail to see if any pill comes off. If so, it's a lesser-quality sheet.

From: THREE SALT DESIGN Co.

Wool vs. Synthetic Blankets

The finest-quality wool blankets available are of merino wool. They are also the warmest. Synthetic blankets, however, are non-allergenic, less expensive and easier to wash.

From: Natalie Myers

High-Quality Fill Power

Fill power, or "loft," is a measurement of the quality of down products. Down comforters with great loft have fluffy clusters of down that have the power to fill the comforter with fewer ounces than inferior types of down. Down comforters with high fill power listed on the package are lighter and warmer than down comforters with less fill power listed on the label (or not listed at all). Remember, it's not the ounces that are important, it's the fill power of the down.

From: Kim Scodro Interiors

DIY Duvet Cover

Rather than buying an expensive duvet cover for a comforter, buy a couple of flat sheets in the size and color you need and sew them together on three sides. Sew grommets into the fourth side and close with a decorative ribbon.

From: Regan Baker

Full-Size is the Perfect Size

You can buy a full flat sheet to use instead of a queen flat sheet for a queen-size bed. Not only is a full sheet less expensive, but there's much less material hanging over the edge when you make the bed.

From: Kristina Wolf

Go With Pre-Shrunk Flannel

When buying flannel sheets, make sure the label says "preshrunk." Otherwise, the flannel will probably shrink, causing your fitted sheet to no longer fit.

Breezy Bedding

For the summer months, buy easy-care cotton or thermal blankets. These will allow air to flow through them.

From: Terracotta Design Build

Opt for a Featherbed

If you want to give your mattress a pillow-top look and feel, buy either a featherbed or a polyester fiber bed. They're soft and luxurious and give your bed that "lofty" look. They're also less expensive than a new mattress.

From: Tobi Fairley

Deep-Fitted Sheets

When buying a mattress with a pillow top, it's important to buy fitted sheets deep enough to fit over the extra thickness of the mattress. Many people think that buying a larger size will do the trick, but they're just longer and wider and end up not fitting. Deep fitted sheets run anywhere from 13 inches to 22 inches depending on how thick your new mattress is. If you own some wonderful sheets that you want to continue using, just buy "suspenders" for the fitted sheet, which will keep it from popping off.

From: Hyde Evans Design

Budget-Friendly Shams

To fill a decorative sham, buy an inexpensive queen-size pillow. It fills the sham completely — even in the corners — and will give your bed that beautiful full look.

From: Butter Lutz Interiors

10 Tips for Buying Bedding on a Budget

Related To:

Shop This Look

High Thread Count Counts

Wool vs. Synthetic Blankets

High-Quality Fill Power

DIY Duvet Cover

Full-Size is the Perfect Size

Go With Pre-Shrunk Flannel

Breezy Bedding

Opt for a Featherbed

Deep-Fitted Sheets

Budget-Friendly Shams

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