Bedding Essentials for the Best Night's Sleep

Ahh, bedtime — the part of the day that every adult looks forward to after work, chores, and wrangling the kids… until your bed begins to disrupt your slumber. You may think it’s the stress of all your responsibilities or perhaps even a sleeping disorder that’s keeping you up at night when the answer is simpler than you think. Never underestimate the power of bed essentials.

A Comfy Mattress

If you’ve struggled to figure out how to make your bed more comfortable, your mattress makes arguably the most significant impact on your sleep quality and should be one of the first things you look at replacing.

The wrong mattress can be detrimental not only to your nightly rest, but also to your overall health. Sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress can cause sinking and brecathing problems, throw your spine out of alignment, put undue stress on your pressure points, and wreak havoc on your body long after your sleeping hours.

So how do you find a comfy mattress? According to the Director of the Sleep to Live Institute, the right mattress is the one that feels best to you. It might require several sleep tests at various bedding stores to find out what your preferred firmness and mattress construction is, but taking the time will be worth it in the end.

Some elements to consider in your search for a comfy mattress are explained below.

Back Pain

If you have lower back pain and sleep on your side, you’ll want to find a happy mix of soft and medium firmness to properly cradle your shoulders and hips. For stomach and back sleepers with lower back pain, a medium-firm or very firm bed will align the spine optimally and alleviate pressure on the lumbar vertebrae.

Middle and upper back pain is less common, but those who struggle with this problem should look for a pressure-relief mattress that promotes proper spinal alignment.

Sleep Position

Whatever way you sleep, there’s a mattress to support your position. Take into account the position you fall asleep in as well as the one you wake up in during the selection process.

Back sleepers will need a medium or firm mattress that prevents them from sinking in while also supporting the natural contour of the back. Side sleepers should seek out a medium-soft or medium-firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned, while stomach sleepers need a firmer mattress so they don’t sleep with a sunken back.

Body Weight

In general, the more you weigh, the firmer your mattress should be.

People over 230 pounds tend to sink into their mattress more and have a higher risk of spinal problems. Those weighing 130 pounds or less who don’t sink in, on the other hand, should find a softer mattress that offers contouring. Foam or hybrid mattresses are usually ideal for this weight range.

Most people fall in between 130 and 230 pounds. If this includes you, refer to our recommendations for mattress firmness based on your sleeping position.

Mattress Construction

Mattresses come in a variety of materials, all of which have their own purposes. You’ll be most comfortable at night if you pick the construction that best addresses your unique sleeping discomforts.

Innerspring: This is the most common and cost-effective mattress type. Innerspring mattresses are made up of interlocking spring coils and are generally firm.

Encased coil: These are like innerspring mattresses but with individually wrapped coils for enhanced comfort, improved support, and minimal motion transfer. They’re generally quite breathable as well.

Pillowtop: Pillowtop mattresses are foam or innerspring mattresses with a plush layer attached to the top for added softness.

Foam: Foam mattresses, especially gel and memory foam, are becoming increasingly popular because they don’t have coils. This makes them better for motion isolation, contouring, and pressure relief.

Hybrid: For those who seek a balance between softness and support, hybrid mattresses are made of spring and foam to reduce heat retention, relieve pressure, and maximize comfort.

Bed Sheets

Your body is sandwiched between your sheets each night and directly contacts your skin as you sleep. So, one of the simplest tips we have on how to make a comfortable bed is to get new sheets.

Not all bed sheets are created equal; the quality is determined by the fabric and the thread count. Thread count is the number of threads per square inch, and the more threads, the softer and stronger the sheets will be. Look for a thread count between 200 and 400 for soft and affordable sheets. Anything beyond that is high quality but will come at a higher cost.

As for the fabric, avoid synthetic materials at all costs, as synthetic sheets are notoriously hot. The two softest and most breathable kinds of sheets out there are cotton (Egyptian or Pima) and bamboo. Both materials wick away moisture and help to regulate your body temperature as you sleep.

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Pillows and Pillowcases

Did you know you’re supposed to replace your pillow every 18 months? Think about how much time you spend using it on a nightly basis. Those hours add up, and your pillow will start to show signs of wear. It will slowly lose its shape and support — and you’ll feel it!

When it’s time to replace your pillows, a rule of thumb (especially for side sleepers) is to find one that’s the same thickness as the distance between your shoulder and your ear. Side sleepers will do best with thick and firm pillows. If you sleep on your back, find a flatter pillow that keeps your vertebrae aligned as you sleep. As a stomach sleeper, look for a soft one and possibly an additional pillow to tuck under your stomach.

Once you’ve selected a pillow, don’t forget to choose a comfortable pillowcase to go over it. The fabric you choose determines how long the pillowcase lasts. Don’t be lured by the low price tag of synthetic pillowcases. For the best comfort, you should go for a top-quality natural fabric, such as bamboo. Natural fibers are more luxurious, breathable, durable, and long-lasting.

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Blankets and Temperature-controlled Duvets

Your bedding essentials aren’t complete without the perfect blanket. A bamboo blanket does more than just keep you warm; it swaddles you in comfort and drapes over your skin throughout the night. With soft, odor-resistant, hypoallergenic bamboo keeping you warm, you’ll always get the best night’s sleep — especially if you have allergy concerns. There are many blanket types to choose from, and the following are common options that could meet your sleep comfort needs.

Quilts: If you love the warmth and style of quilts but don’t necessarily want the bulk, a bamboo quilt is a soft, breathable, lightweight, sustainably sourced material that stands up to allergens, odors, and bacteria.

Knit blankets: Knit bamboo blankets are plush luxury blankets that can be wrapped around your shoulders on a rainy evening or thrown over a chair or bed for decoration. They’re soft, trendy, and naturally able to regulate your body temperature while keeping you warm.

Throws: Throw blankets are typically draped over armchairs, couches, and other indoor furniture to give the appearance of a warm, inviting, and chic atmosphere — but that doesn’t mean they aren’t cozy as well. Woven from premium bamboo fabric, you’ll love wrapping up in a soft, warm throw blanket when you settle into your favorite spot for some nighttime reading.

Duvet cover: If you sleep with a naturally-filled duvet (a sheet filled with duck or goose feathers), find a duvet cover made of breathable bamboo to keep yourself cool and dry. Bamboo duvet covers wick away moisture and keep you from waking up in a sweat.

Coverlets: Bamboo bedspreads, also known as coverlets, are the perfect way to enhance the elegance of your bedroom decor while achieving lightweight, cashmere-feeling comfort.

Weighted blankets: If you struggle with anxiety or restlessness at night, a weighted blanket constructed of glass beads and silky bamboo could be exactly what you need. Get a deeper, more refreshing rest with the deep-pressure touch stimulation and luxuriously soft material that only a bamboo weighted blanket can offer.

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Check Out Different Types of Bedding

Now that you know what to look for, it’s time for the fun part — browsing around for the coziest bed essentials for you! Take a look at what Cariloha has to offer in our extensive inventory and make our high-quality bamboo bedding a part of your cozy bedroom. Be sure to also check out our blog for other tips on getting a great night’s sleep.