Bedding; How to mix and match to get your perfect ‘set’

While we’re on the subject of comfort, cosines and general lying down in the name of relaxation (see previous post where I Meet The Maker, Sally Giiford, designer of said cushions,) I wanted to expand and share my thoughts on bedding in general.

I’ve been thinking about how we’re often programmed to buy the ‘catalogue look’ or the ‘full bedding set’ i.e, the duvet cover with matching pillowcases. I discarded the rule book on bedding sets long ago.

I wanted to share with you a few ways on how we can easily create the perfect mix of pillowcases and duvets to achieve the ‘set’ of your liking, by buying separates - just like with our clothing.

Above - lots of separates: Toile de Jouy pillowcases teamed with terracotta plains underneath and reversible spot bedding. And then a heap of patterned cushions and throws for maximalism, comfort and happiness.

Firstly, I just want to impart that I’m a believer in 100% cotton. When I was younger I wasn’t as fussy, and I bought bedding based on its pattern, colour and price rather than its composition.

My mum always bought all cotton bedding, as well as feather pillows and duvets instead of hollowfibre. As I got older, I appreciated mum’s natural-fibre, luxury hotel-feel bedding, over the lumpier and harsher man-made fibre compositions back at mine. So I made the switch to 100% cotton bedding with feather innards, and now I enjoy being in bed even more.

Floral top pillowcases with plain underneath and stripe duvet cover - all 100% cotton.

Because cotton is a natural material, its breathable and therefore much more comfortable than polyester, making those hot summer nights cooler and your overall sleeping experience more pleasant.

Secondly, I do buy bedding ‘sets’ i.e. the pillowcases to match the duvet, if 1) I like the design positioning on both the duvet and the pillowcase, 2) its cost effective to do so and 3) they are reversible (so you get two patterns for the price of one.) But, I don’t dress the bed with the full set at the same time. I split the bedding and team the pillowcases with a different duvet cover, and the duvet cover with contrasting pillowcases, OR by using the pillow cases as the bottom set with a contrasting design on the top.

I got thinking about the number of ways we can mix and match our bedding to create a bedroom space that’s more inviting, exciting and original.

All white

Although I do enjoy crisp, all white bedding for that clean look and fresh feel, I don’t think that white bedding alone is enough. For me, it needs to be teamed with colour, texture and pattern, either within the rest of the bedding, the wall colour, furniture, headboard or accessories in the bedroom.

Here are some of my favourite ways with white bedding…

This has to be one of my favourite bedrooms of all time, by Interior Designer Michelle Kelly. I was lucky enough to visit her home on the Living Etc House Tour in 2018. With all the pattern that’s going on in this room, its fine that the bedding is white!

One of the most memorable bedrooms I’ve visited at Marianne Cotterill’s home in London. Well actually, all the bedrooms in Marianne’s house made an impact on me, I love this woman!

The romantic ruffles of the lady’s dress in the painting are cleverly mirrored in the bedding. Teamed with the bold art, imperfect wooden floors and a decorative rug makes for a lesson in ‘interesting white’.

Crisp white bedding, with natural linen throws in plains and stripes. The wood, the art and the accessories create layers of interest and personality.

Plain colour duvet with contrasting pillowcases

I like the idea of a good plain for the duvet, teamed with fancy, patterned, designer or loud pillowcases to achieve a look that’s individual, personal, and that doesn’t look like ‘the set’. This can work out quite inexpensive as plain cotton bedding is generally cheaper to buy than patterned. Also buying designer pillowcases is a great way too add an element of designer to your bed without having to fork out for the duvet cover itself.

You can buy lovely quality 100% cotton plain bedding at great prices from places like La Redoute, Ikea, Sainsburys, the Amara sale and Made. Interchanging your good quality plain bedding with fabulous expressive patterned pillowcases and cushions will add layers and depth of interest, and is easy to swap around.

I’ve put together this moodboard showing some of my favourite pillowcase designs of the moment that will work well with many plain bedding colours. This ‘Pavone’ Washed Cotton Satin Duvet Cover in Taupe by La Redoute is a great base for your combinations.

Scroll to the bottom of the post for the shopping list.

Pattern on pattern on color

But you know me, the more colour and pattern I can pack in (sans craziness), the better. I like to mix bold plains and patterns by selecting contrasting pillowcases, cushions and throws to pack a real punch. Here are some of my favourite bedding combinations when it comes to the bold side.

The opulent bedroom of Divine Savages using white bedding with a rich blue velvet throw, teal velvet headboard, inky walls and the most magnificent carpet called ‘Malachite’ by Alternative Flooring.

French bed, tick, upholstered in patterned silk, tick, with contrasting vintage rugs, tick, with satin bedding, tick, with mirrored amoire, tick. Marianne Cotterrill does it again.

Secret Linen Store Bedding by Sophie Robinson - one of my favourite colour combinations - cobalt and coral.

Shopping List

PAVONE Washed Cotton Satin Duvet Cover - Taupe - La Redoute

Brisa Pillowcase - Dusky Pink - Made

Brisa Pillowcase - Peacock Green - Made

DVALA light green pillowcase - Ikea

Cedratine Pillowcase OLIVIER DESFORGES - Woods Fine Linens

Fiori Pillowcase - MM Linen - Amara

Fiorian Pillowcase - MM Linen green - Amara

Heritage Peony Oxford Pillowcase - Lilac - Joules - Amara

Iso Noppa Pillowcase - Marimekko - Amara

Rosarium Pillowcase - Marimekko - Nordic Nest

If you’d like to mix and match your bedding but don’t quite know where to start, I offer a Digital Interior Design Service as well as Personal Shopping. Get in touch via my contact page, I’d love to help you create the relaxing and individual bedroom that represents you.