How to Choose the Best Bedding for Your Sleep Style

From pillows to duvets, and covers to mattress toppers, the bedding you pick can be the difference between a restless night and a sound sleep.

Evidence shows that duvet and sheet material has a direct link to sleep quality, and that the right pillow choice either helps or hinders back and neck pain, so getting the right ones is essential for a good snooze.

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How Often Should You Change Your Bedding?

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Sleep experts recommend that we change our pillows every two or three years, and duvets every five. But studies suggest that many of us hang onto our pillows for around five years, and duvets for almost eight.

There are a couple of reasons why it’s worth refreshing your bedding more often.

●  Hygiene: Even though we put covers on most kinds of bedding, sweat and skin cells will still seep through over time.

● Structure: Pillow stuffing will eventually break down and change shape, so you might not get the support you need. It’s the same with duvets and mattress toppers - once the stuffing moves out of place, it can create uncomfortable clumping and cool/hot spots.

We recommend replacing your pillow once it looks misshapen, or can fold in half without immediately springing back. With a duvet, it’s time for a refresh when it starts looking thinner, or the stuffing begins to clump together.

To pick the perfect bedding, it’s important to know your sleep needs and understand how different bedding types will work for you.

Duvet Togs Explained

‘Tog’ stands for ‘thermal overall grade’, and every duvet has one - it’s simply a measure of how much insulation a duvet offers. The higher the tog, the warmer it keeps you.

Hollowfibre and Microfibre

Hollowfibre and microfibre are polyester materials that feel beautifully light and soft while keeping heat in really well. Just bear in mind that to achieve the same tog as a natural duvet, they need to be thicker.

They’re usually machine washable, and they tend to be more affordable than duvets stuffed with natural materials.

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Feather and down

‎Made using down and feathers from ducks or geese, feather and down duvets offer really impressive temperature control.

Lighter and less ‘chunky’ than synthetic fillings, they have the classic ‘feel’ of a duvet while being extremely durable and long-lasting. But this means that they tend to come with a higher price tag.    

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Anti-allery fillings

Anti-allergy duvets are stuffed with synthetic materials that have - you guessed it - anti-allergy properties. They’re treated to prevent the build-up of dust mites, and may also have a very tight weave to prevent mites getting in.

This type of duvet would be the perfect choice if you find that traditional feather and down duvets tend to trigger your allergies.

Hollowfibre: Made with a synthetic polyester mix, hollowfibre pillows are lightweight, breathable (to keep you cool) and have a cloud-like feel. They’re a more affordable option and can be machine washed easily.

Microfibre: Microfibre pillows have the sumptuous, silky feel of down stuffing, but at a much more affordable price point. They’re also very easy to clean.

Feather and Down: The classic pillow fillings, feather and down, are natural fibres that offer excellent breathability and temperature management - you’ll never be too hot or cold.

Anti-Allergy: Anti-allergy pillows have special treatments or weaves which prevent the build-up of dust mites. This makes them a great choice if you suffer from allergies.

Feather: Pure feather pillows will mould to the shape of your head. A higher feather count simply means the pillow will be a bit firmer.

Memory Foam: Made using materials like latex, memory foam pillows mould to the shape of your head for support that feels tailored to you.

Tucked right between your mattress and sheets, a mattress topper is arguably the unsung hero of bedding, and yet it can be the piece we think about least when we’re refreshing our sets.

There are a few types to choose from, and they each have different purposes. But what they all have in common is that they’ll help your mattress last longer by protecting it from moisture, skin cells, body heat and friction.  

You’ve picked out your bedding; now there’s just one more thing to decide - the fabric of your bed sheets, duvet cover and pillowcases.

Once again, it’ll mostly come down to personal preference, but you might want to keep in mind that some fabrics are better for cooling, softness, smoothness and budget.

We’ve talked through what’s considered the best bedding options, but everyone is unique, and so are their sleep needs. Health, living arrangements and time of life can all affect what you need from your bedding, so keep them in mind when choosing your new pieces.

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Bedding Suitable for Menopause

During menopause, you might feel much warmer in bed, particularly if you experience night sweats. If so, thoughtfully choose bedding that’ll help regulate body temperature during hot flushes.

●      For the duvet, pick a lower tog than usual.

●      Choose more breathable sheets, pillow covers and duvet covers - cotton is a good choice.

●      Invest in a cooling mattress topper - these feature shallow grooves that allow air to circulate more easily.

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Bedding During Pregnancy

Sleep can be uncomfortable during pregnancy, but sleeping on your side can put the least pressure on your baby bump. To make nights more restful, consider getting a special pregnancy pillow that supports you with side sleeping - V-shape pillows can also be a great alternative.

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Couples with Different Temperature Preferences

If you prefer a warm bed but your partner likes it cool, choose a dual tog duvet. One side has a lower tog, and the other half has a higher tog, so neither of you has to compromise.

Alternatively, sleep as they do in Scandinavia. In countries like Sweden, Norway and Denmark, couples share a bed, but each person has their own single duvet that’s the right size and tog for them.