Having the right bedding can help you achieve a wonderful refreshing nights sleep. The weight of your duvet, the support your pillow gives you and the fabric of your duvet cover all make a difference.

We have put together a guide to buying bed linen, to help you pick the perfect sheets, duvets, throws and cushions to create the look and feel that's right for you.

Bed linen, bedding, duvet covers and throws - click here to shop

Changing your bedding is a great way to introduce a fresh look to your sleeping space. You can make a statement by introducing colour and an array of textures into your room, creating a sensual retreat or a relaxing haven.

Linens are an important part of interior decorating. From sheets to pillowcases to duvets, the linen you choose for the bed can make or break your bedroom. But how do you choose? There are so many different types available that it can become very hard to decide - Why invest in organic bedding? Does thread count really count? And what's in a weave?

When shopping for bed linens there are a number of different characteristics to consider. Fabrics, patterns, quality and design will all influence your choice, as well as the existing design in your bedroom. Choose colours and patterns that feel good to the touch, and complement your bedroom style.

Before You Buy

The first thing to consider before you buy is to decide on the material and how easy it is to care for. Most sheets are made of pure cotton or a cotton and polyester mix. Cotton is durable and easy to care for, as well as being a natural breathable fibre, which makes it so ideal for sheets. More expensive brands of sheets are made with Egyptian cotton and have a high thread count. Thread count denotes the number of threads per square inch and gives a good indicator of the quality of the linen. The higher the thread count the softer and more lustrous the fabric, it's also more durable and less prone to shrinkage. Any bed linen above 200-thread count will offer a more luxurious fabric quality.

Organic bedding can be a wonderful option for the bedroom and most benefit from a 250-thread count making them feel lovely and soft. Our fairly traded organic cotton bedding range is farmed in India using only natural fertilisers and SKAL approved processing methods that have a low impact on the environment. There are no traces of the processing chemicals that remain on conventionally grown cotton, which can irritate delicate skin. Organic bedlinen is an ideal choice for people who suffer from eczema and other allergies.

For many people it's important to feel the luxury of slipping into luxuriously soft sheets and bedding at night. Nothing drapes the bed better or keeps you cooler than a nice set of silk or satin bed sheets. Imagine yourself under a warm soothing comforter with the soft elegance of satin bed sheets against your skin. Satin is made from texturized polyester, which is expensive due to the way it is processed.

Sateen is another option for sheets and throws and adds a glamorous feel to any bed. With a thread count of 300+ there is a slight luster to the finished fabric and a lovely soft feel. Sateen bedding is easy to clean and it keeps you warm at night.

Check out our organic sateen throw, which is hand embroided and can be used as a bedspread. Or draped across the bottom half of your bed.

Bedding Weaves

The weave of your bedding describes the way the individual yarns were woven or twisted together when the fabric was produced.

● Percale cotton- usually has a thread count of 200 or over with a tight weave. Percale fabric is firm and smooth with no gloss. It's easy to care for, requiring little or no ironing.

●Voile- a crisp, lightweight, cotton-like fabric, made with high-twist yarns has a similar appearance to organza.

●Oxford Weave- made from yarns that have been doubled and woven into a particular pattern.

●Flannel-is brushed after weaving to give a soft, fluffy surface texture. This makes it lightweight but warm and ideal for winter use.

Creating a Calming Retreat

If you want your bedroom to feel like a relaxing retreat its best to choose calm neutrals and soft shades. Soft tones can create a peaceful sanctuary, and layering fabrics is an easy way to liven up your bed. Mixing different textures and levels of colour will create a stylish look.

If you prefer an all white look, the new collections for 2009 are much more heavily textured. The key to creating an white colour scheme is to use a mixture of finishes and weaves.

Choosing Colours and Patterns

When using colour and pattern try not to combine things that are too similar, instead mix florals with stripes or plaids, and bold patterns with delicate prints - to let them play off one another. Cheerful floral bed linen can really help to soften the lines of furniture and introduce a feminine touch to a room.

Your bedroom is a room you can be adventurous in, your choice of colour can reflect the mood you hope to create. Deep red and dark tones can be very sensual and romantic, whilst soft blues and whites will create a calm relaxing feeling in your bedroom. Combinations of teal and chocolate create a restful feel and work well in guest rooms.

Our reaction to color is almost instantaneous and has a profound impact on the choices we make everyday. Therefore the colour we choose to decorate our bedrooms is more important than one usually realises. We have included a guide to the different colours below. These apply to all aspects of interior design, and can be introduced throughout your home.

White This projects purity, cleanliness, and neutrality. Doctors don white coats, brides traditionally wear white gowns and a white picket fence surrounds a safe and happy home. It is suggested that the colour white evokes purification of thoughts and actions so can be a safe colour choice in the bedroom.

Green Is considered the colour of peace and ecology and is an ideal backdrop in interior design because we are so used to seeing it everywhere. This colour is believed to have soothing benefits, helping us relax both mentally and physically. It is also said to alleviate depression, anxiety and nervousness. This is an ideal choice for the bedroom.

Blue Is associated with calming and soothing. It is believed to promote intellectual thought. As the collective color of the spirit, it invokes rest and can cause the body to produce chemicals that are calming. However not all blues are serene and sedate. Electric or brilliant blues are dynamic and dramatic - an engaging color that expresses exhilaration. When choosing a blue select one with a warm undertone.

Pink Is associated with love and when used in the bedroom it can be peaceful and restful.

Red This colour is linked with passion, energy, warmth and adventure. Red has more personal associations than any other color. Recognised as a stimulant, red is inherently exciting and the amount of red is directly related to the level of energy perceived. Red draws attention and the use of red as an accent can immediately focus attention on a particular element. Use light shades or paint one feature wall when used in the bedroom to avoid over stimulation.

Purple Purple embodies the balance of red stimulation and blue calm. With its sense of mystical and royal qualities, purple is a color often well liked by very creative or eccentric types and is the favorite color of adolescent girls. It is also a colour associated with fertility, love and joy so can be a good colour choice in bedrooms.

Click here to view our range of luxurious bed linen in a range of beautiful colours.