Duvet Covers & Sets | Argos

Hey!
I saw in the sidebar that we needed a bedding basics guide.
The General rule of bedding comes down to this: Materials Matter. There are materials that will offer a high quality, durable product, and there are materials that will offer an often softer, but less durable product. It all depends on what you're going for.
Bed
While there are thousands of conversations about which mattress you should by (/BuyItForLife can assist there) there aren't as many for what bed. While not every space needs a bed most do. First, consider the look you want:

• Contemporary
• Traditional
• Mid-Century Modern (Wait, that looks Contemporary - note the legs!)
• Rustic
• Cheap

Live in a white-wall vanilla econobox apartment? I would suggest the Malm for now - it's cheap, looks aite, and you can dress it up later when you move into a place with more character and not feel bad because it's like $200 or something.
Sheets
A "Set" of sheets includes:

1. Top Sheet
2. Fitted Sheet
3. Assorted Pillowcases

With sheets everyone is always concerned about thread count. Sure, 1000 threadcount sheets will feel better than 150, but it's not the biggest factor. I stand behind the fact that material is the most important factor in choosing sheets. 100% cotton sheets in 300 thread count will be just fine for most of us. A sheet set in a queen size will probably run around $50. If that's all you care for sheets, then skip the rest of this section.
Here are a list of other bed sheet materials and my thoughts on them.

• Cotton. Durable and basic, 100% cotton sheets usually wrinkle like crazy and come out of the dryer looking like a crumpled newspaper. Even the "wrinkle resistant" cotton sheets being offered now are still very wrinkled. - jwax33
  
• Synthetics. Polyester, Rayon, etc. Synthetic blend sheets can greatly reduce the price of the sheet set, so if you see a good bargain, check the blend. If you're in a pinch, you can make room for ~25% poly blend and still have okay sheets. Cotton/poly blends come out almost looking ironed. If you want neat sheets, consider a blend if you can find one. Blend sheets also tend to last forever.
  
• Jersey Knit. Give them a try if you're up for it. The material is Rayon (modal) so don't expect them to last long or keep you cool, but they will be very comfortable. These would make a great winter set of sheets. At the first sign of pilling, pitch them, as their low-cost means you can just get another set. These also come in more colors than typical sheets, so they can be fun as well.
  
• Flannel The ultimate in winter-mode bed sheeting/ continuous rustic feel. Flannel is a heavy-woven wool or worsted yarn textile that will really keep the heat. If you're in a hot climate, move along.
  
• Linen/Satin 100% cotton sateen, Linen sheets are the softest of the cotton sheets. They'll hold up well and stay soft for a long time, and have a little shine to them. Because they're cotton, expect a higher cost compared to synthetics.
  
• Egyptian Cotton The king of the sheets. Durable, comfortable and widely available, Egyptian Cotton sheets are spun from [duh, egyptian cotton] cotton that has long fibers, which reduces pilling, lint and increases softness. With good care, a quality set of Egyptian Cotton sheets will last decades. Additionally, because the strands are thinner, go for a higher thread count, say, 600-850.
  

Source1 Source 2 I expect there to be some debate on this, so let me hear it in the comments!
Pillows
I fucking love pillows. That said, here is my research on them.
Pillow types:

• Back Sleeper - Firm and not too large
• Side Sleeper - largest pillow type
• Front Sleeper - do you even need a pillow?

Now, some pillow materials.

• Goose Down/Down general Goose down/down pillows offer amazing comfort and support. They have the perfect amount of "fluff" but still keep their shape. I have 7 pillows on my bed, and I always fish around for one of my down pillows before falling asleep on it. They're generally the most expensive type of pillow, but also the best, as down washes well and is durable, if care is taken. A less expensive option is to go Feather (instead of down) but I usually have to double-case mine because I get pricked.
  
• Memory Foam As seen on TV! Memory foam varies as widely as it's customers perceptions. I recommend borrowing or testing out these pillows before purchasing one. Some hate it, some love it, it's all up to you. Memory Foam offers great support, and can be nice and cool, but I've often found them to be too firm.
  
• PolyesteCotton fill Cheap and basic pillow. Poly/cotton fill pillows don't hold their shape too well, but can be a welcome find in that middle-of-the-night-why-am-I-not-comfy fuss. Depending on how they're filled, they can offer amazing support. Poly pillows will be warmer than cotton, so if you're a 'cool' sleeper, take note. Durability isn't this pillow's strong suit, as they'll lose their shape. <(jwax33)> Poly fiber fill pillows do not wash well -- they tend to mat and get very dense. If you like dense pillows, this is fine. I find that great for side sleeping, so I get the old poly pillows in the house. If you need fluffy, poly pillows will probably be disposable. Keeping them covered will extend their lifespan.
  

I defer to this Ikea buying guide for more information as well as this very in-depth guide on pillows
Blankets
I'll summarize by saying blankets follow the general gist of bedding: Materials Matter. That said, I have only one thing to say about blankets.

1. If you are in a cold climate, nut up and get a fucking wool blanket. Wool is the best material for durability, longevity and warmth, hands down. The reason I am here today is because I survived my college house with paper-thin walls and a shit heater through a Michigan winter on two wool blankets. They can be found many places, but Pendleton is a great choice, as is Woolrich. One of my wool blankets is pushing 40 years old, in case you were wondering. Expect prices for 100% wool blankets to go over $100. Also, design-wise, wool is a great texture to decorate with, and works well in most design styles.

Comforters
Comforters follow the same lines as Pillows as far as materials. Down being the best material, followed by cotton, followed by synthetic fill. Warmer climates can get away with a simple low-fill cotton or poly, but for those of us with mittens in our wardrobes, Down is the best. If you are fortunate to get two comforters, get one for cold (heavy fill) and one for warm (low fill/cotton/synth). A basic medium fill down comforter should run over $100. note get one that is panel-stitched, otherwise you'll end up with all of the down clumping in one area and generally pissing you off.
Duvet
Duvet's are the pillowcases for comforters. I've seen talk before of people just buying comforters, waiting until they get dirty and pitching/re-buying, but let's be real here. A nice duvet can extend the life of your comforter many times over. Not to mention, Duvets give you another opportunity to add a design element to your bedroom. There's less of a concern with Duvet's over thread count, as you're not always snuggling right up next to it, but material choice still plays a role here.
Color
I personally like and recommend plain white for sheets and towels (excluding decorative towels if you need them). White sheets can be bought in a variety of fabric patterns, such as tone-on-tone stripes or damasks to break up the monotony of white. But, your bed should be covered with something, a duvet or comforter for example, and that should provide the color and style you want, not your sheets. White sheets can be washed in hot water and bleached without fear. Same thing for white towels. Especially useful if you entertain a lot. - jwax33
Shopping
It's hard to recommend specific stores, so I will just make some general points. Avoid department stores and your big box linen stores like Bed, Bath, and Beyond unless they are having a 75% off white sale. Their prices are usually marked up staggeringly. For example, a no-name 100% cotton bath sheet at Macy's dropped my jaw at $65. A few weeks later I picked up no-name 100% cotton bath sheets (of a heavier weight) at Costco of all places for $11.99. So be mindful of markup when you shop. Shopping for linens online can be hard because you cannot see or touch the item and have to rely solely on a description to tell you how good the product is. Pay attention to details, check any reviews, and make sure you can return the product easily if needed. - jwax33
So, let's hear your thoughts on bedding. I think I've covered the basics, but if there's something you'd like to add, I can discuss/make edits!