Our recent move finally provided the opportunity to upgrade to a king-size bed, which was a very welcome change in my third trimester (my pregnancy pillow nearly warranted its own king)! Given the opportunity, I wanted to craft the perfect sleeping haven from top to bottom — and after many hours of due diligence (and many more enjoying the fruits of my labor) I think I can call this a sweeping success.
1) Bedding Basics
Mattress: We had many friends rave about the Casper, and I was definitely intrigued by the price point relative to other options. We ordered the mattress and box spring, which each came neatly packaged in impossibly small boxes for their contents – meaning this mattress can squeeze into even the most challenging spaces. Warning: do not open the mattress box until you are in the room it will reside and ready to set up the bed – it expands rapidly! We are very pleased with our decision and I would highly recommend Casper to anyone considering a new mattress. (They almost always offer a small discount – $50-75, so be sure to check for this before ordering!). My good friends also just purchased the Leesa, a competitor to Casper, which appears to have a very similar offering.
Mattress cover: While making the investment in a new mattress, I thought it worthwhile to spend a little more to adequately protect it for the long-haul with a mattress cover (I am particularly glad I did this pre-post-partum, when I sweat profusely for weeks, and before having a baby who oftentimes spits up in our bed!). I also opted to spend a bit more for this organic waterproof version by Naturepedic, feeling good about the fact that we are not inhaling chemicals every night.
Pillows: I purchased these pillows based on the Sweethome review. As above, I thought it worthwhile to also invest in pillow protectors after seeing the fate of the old pillows I was trading out.
Comforter: I purchased the Brooklinen All Season Down Comforter also based on Sweethome’s recommendation here. This is very lightweight but still substantial enough to work in most climates.
Sheets: I find I like to replace sheets often, so I don’t spend a great deal on them. Tom also insists on white sheets, which I’ve learned to live with, though I would normally love to have patterns! I am on my third set of these PB Classic 400-Count sheets (in ~10 years) and find they hold up very well and are very breathable and comfortable. For those looking for a more luxurious option, I have heard rave reviews for the Parachute Linen Sheet Set. For those looking for a budget option, I have several friends who swear by these Sweet Home Collection Extra-Soft Hypollergenic Sheets – hard to beat the price ($25/king set) here!
2) The Dressing
With the “foundation” established, now I could focus on the decorative, fun part – definitely more art, less science!
Bed frame: There are so so many options out there, and price points truly vary widely. I have always loved the classic tufted Chesterfield style, and I thought this Restoration Hardware rendition in a luxurious steel grey velvet was a worthwhile investment piece (no wonder we’re still renting… sigh). If you’re looking for a more contemporary style, I also strongly considered the Joybird Hughes Bed after seeing it beautifully customized in a rich turquoise velvet in my friend Lauren’s gorgeous Greenwich Village apartment. Joybird’s price point is quite reasonable considering the quality, and they frequently offer 20-25% discounts.
Duvet Cover & Euro Shams: With several patterns at play already, I wanted to go with something basic for the duet cover, and was happy to find this Pottery Barn Morgan 400-Thread Count Duvet Cover & Sham. It comes in lots of color combinations (currently on sale!) and pairs well with many patterns. My friend Molly has the same set in a bright orange in the guest room of her gorgeous Nantucket cottage, paired perfectly with some geometric patterned shams (see below).
Decorative pillows: This Pinterest guide is a helpful reference to the various arrangements you might consider in dressing your bed, depending on the size. I am definitely in the more-is-more camp when it comes to pillows! I absolutely love anything Roberta Roller Rabbit – it took three visits to their local store to narrow down the choices to these king size pillows in their classic Jemina print, and smaller square pillows in the Sud Cross print. Both patterns are reminiscent of fleur-de-lis, which I love! I’ve included more RRR and Serena & Lily favorites that I strongly considered below.
Decorative pillow fillers: Target’s Threshold pillow fillers tend to be affordable and high-quality. Just be sure to choose a filler that is 2″ wider than your pillow case so you get a full look.
Quilt & bolster: I think every bed should have a quilt to cozy up with for cooler nights or naps when you don’t want to unmake the whole party. This Restoration Hardware Washed Silk Quilt & Sham had embroidery that was also reminiscent of a fleur-de-lis, and I loved the silky texture.
If you’ve done the math here… this is not a cheap exercise! Of course, with all of these retailers its worth waiting for seasonal sales or new subscriber offers (I definitely paid 15-25% off of retail on every item above doing just that!). Knowing that our new bed frame was a long-term investment and the focal point of our bedroom, I wanted to find the perfect accoutrements that we could hang onto for the long-term. There are so many fun options to consider – I only wish we had more beds to dress up!