How to choose a bedspread

The purpose of the bedspread in the bedroom

First of all, it is quite obvious that the bedspread is simply beautiful. It transforms the interior, makes the bedroom more comfortable and the bed more luxurious. In addition, the bedspread performs a lot of useful functions:

gives the bed a neater appearance, hiding bed linen from view,
protects bed linen from dirt and dust,
allows children to lie on the bed and play without creasing or dirtying the bed linen,
a blanket hanging over the edges can disguise a very thick mattress, not very aesthetic legs or storage space under the bed,
complements the bedroom interior, gives it integrity, helps set the mood for relaxation,
many types of bedspreads can be used as a light blanket during hot periods.

A beautiful bedspread with an original pattern can become the highlight of a bedroom interior, emphasizing the refined taste of the owners.

Caring for the bedspread

The nuances of care directly depend on the material used to make the bedspread. You can find detailed instructions on the Internet after purchasing the product. We will list the main ones.

Microfiber - wash at a temperature of no more than 60 degrees, do not dry in the open rays of bright sun.
It is better to clean faux fur with special compounds and not to wet it.
It is better to protect natural silk from dirt, and if it appears, take the blanket to the dry cleaner.
Acrylic is easily refreshed in the washing machine, it is better not to survive, add conditioner when washing. The product should be ironed under a layer of gauze and at low temperature.
Fleece or bamboo can be soaked in warm water with product for 30 minutes, rinse well with conditioner. Do not dry at high temperatures - on hot radiators.
Viscose must be washed by hand or on a delicate cycle, twisted at low speed, ironed at low temperature. Viscose can shrink, so it’s better to buy products with slightly larger parameters.
Cotton can be machine washed, twisted carefully, and dried naturally.

The variety of shapes, colors and types of bedspreads allows you to choose exactly the product that will become a harmonious addition or accent of the room, setting its tone and comfort.

Features of bedspreads

A bedspread is not a mandatory element, and many people successfully manage without bedspreads. But at the same time, it is a very convenient and useful item that helps decorate the bedroom and extends the life of furniture, bedding and other accessories, helps maintain order and save energy.

By changing the bedspread, you can significantly update the decor in the bedroom, shifting the aesthetic emphasis, shifting the design color palette to a cold or warm area, making the room lighter or darker, depending on the chosen appearance of the bedspread.

Bedspreads are most useful in the bedroom, in the nursery, but you can’t do without them in the living room either - for example, a bedspread can better protect the fabric upholstery of a sofa from fading, greasing, abrasion, staining and other damage.

When purchasing a bedspread, you only need to determine a place for it where it will be stored at night while the bed is dismantled. It is convenient to have 2 bedspreads so that the bed is not left without protection during the washing or cleaning period, or to quickly change the appearance of the bedroom, but however, in many cases you can do without it.

Method of making a bedspread

Production technology affects both the properties and the overall appearance of the bedspread, so it is important to understand what type of bedspread is best suited for your bedroom.

Sewn bedspreads are the most popular and varied. For their manufacture, a variety of fabrics are used, from satin and velvet to tapestry, and even non-woven materials - leather and fur. There are an innumerable variety of colors, patterns and types of finishing - stitching, lace trim, embroidery, inserts from various materials.

Patchwork (patchwork) - in principle, they are also sewn, but, unlike the previous type, they are made from individual scraps. In the old days, this technique appeared simply because of the high cost of fabrics and the desire to save even the smallest pieces left over from cutting out a dress. Today this is an extremely popular style, suitable for a rustic-style bedroom, for example, in a country house. You can make such a bedspread yourself or buy a ready-made one.

Knitted bedspreads can also be hand or machine knitted. They are distinguished by a unique characteristic texture, they can be light and openwork, or dense and warm, depending on the type of threads and the knitting method. Such bedspreads are often used in children's rooms, but knitted items also look good in adult bedrooms if they are correctly combined with other interior details.

Felted bedspreads are made from wool fibers using the felting method and resemble soft felt or felt in appearance. They are durable, quite light and very warm. The color and finish can be almost anything. Very often this is handmade, which makes such bedspreads unique and inimitable.

Sewn bedspreads are more common and among them it is easier to choose a suitable option for the chosen design style, since other types of bedspreads have an overly recognizable texture that limits their use to certain styles.

Strict loft

How can you emphasize practicality, sophistication and functionality at the same time? Only loft style. This is a modern execution of the most daring ideas and design solutions.

Loft has incorporated notes of classics combined with modernity and naturalness, so natural fabrics, simple cuts, materials made of wool, satin, cotton, and linen are held in high esteem here. Textured designs and unusual prints are good. However, everything is at the discretion of the owners. It is important that the fabrics are strong and durable.

Selection criteria (tips for choosing bedspreads)

In order to successfully and accurately select a bedspread for your bedroom bed, you need to take into account several criteria:

compatibility with the finishing style and other elements,
compliance with dimensions, room configuration, lighting, etc.,
choosing a color in accordance with the color of curtains, walls, or in contrast with them,
the quality of the bedspread itself,
naturalness and type of fabric,
features of using the bed.

Since the aesthetic function of the bedspread is the main one, it is necessary to choose a product that suits the style of the decor. In a bedroom decorated in a classic or baroque style, a patchwork bedspread will look out of place. But for a Scandinavian or rustic style, a bedspread made of velvet or satin is not suitable.

In addition, the choice of bedspread should be consistent with the size and other characteristics of the bedroom. If the bedroom windows face south, and it is always very light and warm, then a light, thin bedspread in dark colors would be appropriate. And for a spacious bedroom facing north, a warm knitted or fur blanket is suitable. Light products help to visually increase the size of the bed and expand the space of the bedroom, while dark ones, on the contrary, visually reduce the size of the object.

Be sure to take into account the quality of the product. It must be carefully sewn, the stitches must be even, without gaps, and the threads must not stick out. The size and shape of the bedspread must correspond to the declared ones, and there should be no foreign odors (caustic chemicals, plastic or mold).

It is important that the type of bedspread matches the mode of use of the bedroom and the general rhythm of life in a given family. If, for example, your bed often serves as a place for children to relax and play, then the bedspread should be made of fabric that is durable and wear-resistant, without delicate and easily damaged finishing elements. If your bedroom is constantly closed from everyone, and the bed is a taboo, then you can choose the most beautiful thin openwork bedspreads with elegant finishes. If an allergy sufferer uses the bed, then it is better to avoid knitted and fur products (they accumulate dust), giving preference to smooth, dense bedspreads.

Eh, village!

Provencal style is one of the favorites of modern designers. And here the “Provence” bedspread creates unrivaled rustic coziness in a modern bedroom. The patterns on the cape and curtains must be combined.

Floral and plant motifs look very beautiful. You should choose natural fabric as the material for the product. Capes made of matting, silk, linen, and satin are suitable for the Provence style.

How to choose material (types of fabric)

Many people prefer to choose bedspreads made from natural fabrics. What can I say? Natural fabrics made from natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk, wool) really have a lot of advantages - they are less electrified (which means less dust will stick to them), have excellent hygienic qualities, but are more demanding to care for. Manufacturers have found a solution in using mixed fabrics and adding a small amount of artificial fibers to natural ones - thanks to this, natural (70-90%) fabrics acquire wrinkle resistance, wear resistance, increased strength, durability and other advantages. The consumer decides. Artificial fabrics are cheaper, natural fabrics are more hygienic, but more difficult to care for.

When deciding which bedspread to choose for your bed, it is important to consider what fabrics are used to make such products. And here the assortment is very diverse:

satin is a shiny, smooth fabric made from both natural fibers (cotton, silk), and artificial (viscose) and synthetic (polyester); the best thing, of course, is satin made from natural and artificial fibers, although it is more expensive, but it must be taken into account that this fabric requires very careful handling,
satin is also a fabric with a noble shine, although not the same as that of satin, but satin is very pleasant to the touch (naturally, satin is also preferable to natural - made from cotton); quilted bedspreads are often made from satin and satin - the stitching looks great on them,
jacquard is a complex, very beautiful fabric with a woven pattern, usually monochromatic in color, but the pattern shimmers very beautifully, looks simply luxurious on the bed, but also requires careful handling,
tapestry is a thick, dense fabric with a woven colored pattern, characterized by high strength and durability, it does not stretch or deform,

percale is a very dense and durable, but thin cotton fabric that looks aristocratic, feels smooth and pleasant to the touch,
pique is a high-density knitted fabric with a characteristic “waffle” pattern,
microfiber - a fabric made of artificial fibers, characterized by high softness and hygroscopicity, can serve not only as a bedspread, but also as a blanket,
fleece is a durable material with pile, very soft and pleasant to the body, easy to wash and dry, does not require ironing, can also be used as a blanket,
natural fur is extremely expensive, so in most cases artificial fur of various colors is used; it looks great, but keep in mind that the fur can collect a lot of dust and will need to be dry cleaned.

And these are not all materials, but only the most frequently encountered ones. As we can see, there is plenty to choose from - the main thing is to decide on your preferences and listen to your sense of taste.

Flaws

The disadvantages of natural models include:

the ability to cause allergies (especially sheep and camel wool);
complex specific care (products made from delicate fabrics have to be dry-cleaned from time to time);
high cost.

Synthetic materials:

are highly electrified;
do not absorb moisture well and do not allow air to pass through;
after washing they may shrink, which must be taken into account when choosing a size;
not always pleasant to the touch.

How to choose the bedspread size (standard sizes)

It’s not difficult to choose the size of a bedspread - you just need to know the size of the bed (or sofa). There is one general rule - the bedspread should be larger than the size of the bed it covers. For example, if you have a bed with a standard mattress (10-15 cm in height), then the bedspread should be 20-25 cm larger than the size of the mattress on each side, excluding the headboard where the backrest is located. Those. the bedspread for a double bed should have a size of 200x220 cm, or 230x250 cm.

Please note that the blanket may not completely cover the sofa - it all depends on how you decide to use it. But before choosing the size of the bedspread, be sure to measure the sofa (or bed).

It is also important to take into account that if you choose a bedspread with a valance, then you need to calculate everything as accurately as possible. The size of the main flat part of the bedspread must exactly match the size of the mattress. More precisely, considering that the mattress usually contains bed linen and a blanket, there should be 2-3 cm more on each side. The valance usually does not reach the floor a little (but not always) - therefore it is necessary to measure the height of the surface of the made bed above the floor: the width of the valance should be slightly less than this figure. If you want the beautiful legs of the bed not to be hidden, the valance should be even smaller.

Kits

To be sure that the bedspread will fit the overall style of the room, many people prefer to purchase kits that include this product. The advantages of this choice are obvious:

all elements will be in harmony with each other, as they are made of the same material;
the room will have a complete look;
there is no need to waste time searching for several products that match each other. By purchasing one set, you get several items made in the same style and color.

The configuration of the sets can be very diverse. The same applies to the number of products included in the kit. Most often the kits include:

curtains, bedspread;
curtains, drapes, bedspreads;
curtains, bedspreads, pillowcases for decorative pillows;
curtains with lambrequins, bedspread;
pillowcases, curtains, bedspreads, tulle and lambrequin;
curtain ties, bedspreads, cushion covers and curtains.

Each set is individual and original in its own way. The right choice will help create the necessary atmosphere conducive to restful sleep.

Bedspread design options (finishing and decor)

Not all bedspreads have a special finish; often everything is limited to a pattern on the fabric or a stitch. When deciding how to choose the right bedspread, you need to take into account the presence of decor on the bedspread and its compliance with the decoration of the room.

It is usually assumed that the repetition in color, pattern and bedspread decor of the corresponding dominant or accent elements of the bedroom allows you to tie the entire interior design together, creating a harmonious atmosphere.

To do this, you can highlight a pattern, ornament or part of it on the headboard of the bed, wallpaper, or other interior items - and choose a bedspread with a similar pattern or ornament.

Varieties

No matter how fashionable the bedspread may be, designers always divide these decorative items into a couple of varieties: for adult bedrooms and children’s bedrooms. The latter are brighter, with casual prints and often bold colors. They are made mainly from natural materials, absolutely hypoallergenic and safe for children.

Other types of capes can be made from silk with the addition of synthetic threads. The design matches the bedroom interior, but at the same time has an absolutely presentable appearance.

What should the bedspread be combined with - how to choose the color and pattern?

There are 3 main options for selecting bedspreads for interior design:

compliance with the design of curtains (pillows, other pieces of furniture),
matching the color and pattern of the walls (wallpaper),
make the bedspread an accent in the interior.

In order to choose the color of the bedspread, you can focus on the curtains, pillows, headboard, other pieces of furniture and bedroom furnishings. Moreover, it is absolutely not necessary to achieve an exact match; the color may differ by a couple of tones. It is desirable that the pattern is also repeated or very similar. The slight difference between the curtains and the bedspread only emphasizes their similarity and correspondence to each other.

The second method involves selecting a bedspread to match the color and texture of the wallpaper. The pattern must be repeated and the color must be the same. The easiest way to achieve a match is with a monochromatic wall color. In this case, the headboard should contrast with the walls and bedspread in color or design. When using multi-color wallpaper, you can select one color and choose a bedspread (it can be plain or multi-colored) with the same color in the pattern.

An accent bedspread is selected either in a universal and neutral shade (white, beige, light gray) - in the case when other furnishings have a bright color or a pronounced color pattern. Or the bedspread can be bright, even variegated, saturated - when the interior is decorated in discreet, restrained colors. With this approach, the bed will become the dominant color, attracting attention and making the interior more interesting and memorable.

What kind of bedspreads are fashionable?

Styles that are close to environmental friendliness (in any sense) and organicity are still in fashion - Scandinavian, Provence, rustic, ethnic. This is always the dominance of natural colors (various shades of brown, yellow, green), a combination of heterogeneous elements (for example, floral patterns and geometric patterns), the use of organic and traditional materials and technologies - linen fabrics, knitted fabrics, patchwork patchwork techniques, etc.

Simple design options are in fashion - plain walls, curtains and bedspreads, textured surfaces, the use of fringe, lacing, and lace in decoration. Ethnic motifs, images of mythological animals and characters, large drawings of flowers and animals, imitation of skins or other natural materials are often used.

Combinations of capes with the overall interior

It is enough to use a single scale. For example, it is worth choosing inexpensive bedspreads and curtains for the bedroom. If they are in perfect harmony, why not give preference to a budget solution. Moreover, decorative elements such as curtains and the bedspread itself are recommended to be changed from season to season, and not only for washing, but also for a change of mood.

Types of bedspreads for the bedroom

In accordance with modern fashion trends, the bedspread for the bedroom can be traditionally quilted, knitted or patchwork. It is not uncommon to use bedspreads with valances and bedspreads-covers.

Knitted bedspreads

Woolen threads make very warm, voluminous bedspreads. They are good to use in the cold season. They are multifunctional – i.e. They can be used not only as a bedspread, but also as a blanket, and even an additional blanket in cold weather.

Light openwork bedspreads made of cotton threads look good even in summer. They play a largely aesthetic role. They stretch noticeably and are not highly resistant to active mechanical influences, so it is better not to use them where children can play.

Knitted items can be plain and make an impression with the surface texture and knitting pattern. Or they can be multi-colored, for example, sewn from knitted elements of bright colors and enliven the atmosphere with a colorful, cheerful spot.

Quilted or patchwork items

A quilted bedspread is very traditional. Initially, the bedspread was quilted so that the insulation inside would not fall into lumps, but today the stitch plays a more decorative role. In products made from natural fibers, a regular thread stitch is used, and in synthetic ones, a thermal stitch is used.

The stitch can be either in the form of familiar squares or in the form of circles, spirals, or complex shapes that create a unique pattern.

The patchwork technique allows you not only to make the well-known folk village bedspread from colorful squares of different fabrics, but also a highly artistic product, where whole mosaic-looking pictures are created from scraps selected by color and pattern. Another advantage of this technique is that you can make such a bedspread yourself, incl. and together with the children. All you need for this is a sewing machine and pieces of different fabrics.

Bedspreads with valance

A valance is a wide strip of fabric sewn along the edges of the bedspread so as to cover the lower part of the sleeping area - the mattress, bed legs, and under-bed storage areas. This option is good for beds with high mattresses, with a not very aesthetically pleasing lower part of the structure, with under-bed drawers for storing, for example, bed linen or extra blankets and pillows.

In style, such bedspreads fit well into classical and baroque interiors, but also look great in rustic and ethnic interiors if fabrics that match the style are selected.

The valance can be either one-piece or composite - for example, with a frill at the bottom. In addition, sometimes separate valances (“skirts”) are used, placed on the bed under the bedspread.

Bedspread cover

It is a bit reminiscent (in design) of a bedspread with a valance, but differs from it in that it fits more tightly to the bed and has an elastic band around the edge. It is used where for some reason it is not possible to cover the bed with a valanced bedspread.

Bedspread covers look more formal. Their surface can be smooth, quilted, or have almost any texture that matches the style of the room design. They are often used in minimalist interiors, in rooms decorated in loft, high-tech, and Scandinavian styles.

Choosing a style

The main rule of the existence of this criterion is harmony. That is, choose the style of textiles so that it matches the overall flow of the room. But sometimes it can be difficult to find a detail that will completely match the mood, especially since the style of bedspreads does not have a wide choice.

In general, the styles in which such a product can be made can be divided into modern, ancient, and ethnic ones into a separate group. Let us accept this conditional classification.

In modern ones, the most distinctive ones are minimalism, hi-tech and classics.

The first can be recognized by its monochromatic color with the presence of small linear patterns.

Simple and discreet design of a bed for a bedroom in a minimalist style

In this case, the high-tech style can be called any modern bedspread that has laconic, strict features and colors inherent in the elements of the direction

Strict black bedspread for a high-tech style bedroom

Classics are distinguished by calm tones and the presence of smooth, often rounded patterns.

Chic bedspread for a four-poster bed in a classic bedroom

Among the ancient, or rather aged, we highlight chalets, Provence and historical directions. The first two are the epitome of rustic design. The chalet is more inclined towards rough and simple forms, conciseness and simplicity.

A checkered bedspread looks great in a chalet-style bedroom

In Provence you will find gentle, calm tones with rustic motifs (often floral prints).

Delicate floral bedspread for a room in Provence style

Historical destinations are luxurious. In the interior, this group includes Baroque, Empire, and eclecticism. Bedspreads in this style contain golden color (often combined with red), fringe, tassels, folds, hanging tails. In this case, the fabric is chosen to be heavy, stiff, and match the luxury of the design.

Beautiful bedspread with golden decor for a chic Empire style bed

Ethnic design is distinguished by interspersing national notes in textiles. Here, follow the trends of a particular country or nation whose style you want to convey. Greek, Chinese and Japanese styles are popular.

Bright colorful bedspread with sakura in Japanese style for a minimalist bedroom