Choosing your bed linen

1. What items do you need for a cosy bed ?

> Mattress protector: essential for preserving your bedding

If you don't already have one, we recommend that you get yourself a mattress protector, which will guarantee the life of your bedding. Mattresses are rarely designed to be washed, so to keep your room clean, we recommend choosing a good quality mattress protector. 

A hygienic choice: a waterproof mattress protector will protect the mattress from children's little nighttime accidents as well as possible marks caused by perspiration. 

If you choose a waterproof protection, often lined with a polyurethane layer, make sure that it is micro-breathable. It should remain soft, flexible and above all silent during use. 

For additional comfort: waterproof or not, mattress protectors are always made of fleece to offer a thin layer of 100% cotton that helps improve the comfort of your bed. A soft and breathable natural fibre, cotton is ideal for household linen.

For a well-dressed, well-protected bed, it's important that your mattress protector fits your mattress perfectly and stays in place during the night. At Garnier-Thiebaut, you can choose the size of mattress protector to suit you, depending on the thickness of your mattress :

• Thick mattress: 40 cm pockets

• Standard mattress: 30 cm pockets

• Articulated mattress: an H-shaped mattress protector for perfect support

> Fitted sheet: for additional comfort

As with mattress protectors, fitted sheets are available with different sized pockets to ensure that they fit your mattress perfectly. To choose the right sized pocket, simply add 5–7cm to the thickness of your mattress. 

At Garnier-Thiebaut, the majority of fitted sheets are made in 120 threads/cm² satin, a quality fabric that is soft and supple. 

H-shaped sheets, specially designed for articulated beds, are also available. 

In its single version, this fitted sheet measures 80 x 200 cm with additional elastic to ensure optimal support. 

In its double version, the 160 x 200 cm fitted sheet has 8 pockets to ensure that it stays perfectly in place on the mattress.

> Flat sheet: that little extra

Although fewer people now opt for flat sheets, many still appreciate them for the extra comfort they provide. The sheet is in direct contact with your skin and contributes to your well-being all night long.

Plain or patterned, flat sheets are specially designed to complement bed linen. 

Sheets come in different sizes to fit the size of your bed.

> Duvet cover

Finding the ideal duvet size take the size of your mattress and add 40 cm overhang.

The duvet cover should be exactly the same size as your duvet. Whether you choose plain or patterned, damask or printed, will depend on the decor of your room and your favourite materials for your bed.

A duvet that overhangs the bed by at least 40 cm on each side makes for an attractive bedroom. 

The price of your duvet cover will depend, first of all, on its size and also, of course, on the material you choose: percale, satin, linen, etc.

> Pillowcase: choose shape and number

Square or rectangular? In Europe, pillows are generally square and measure 65 x 65 cm and the corresponding pillowcases are sold in 63 x 63 cm to ensure the pillows stay plump. 

In the UK and US, pillows are more usually rectangular and measure 50 x 70 cm.This format is particularly popular with hotels, which add pillows in a cascading arrangement on their beds.

A little or a lot! 

The trend is for an abundance of pillows on the bed. A well-furnished bed is inviting: it will make you want to throw yourself into it! In addition to the pillows used for sleeping, you'll find a whole collection of cushions designed to complete your bedroom decor.

Pillows are bedding and decorative accessories that enable you to add a creative touch to your bedroom by mixing sizes, colours, designs, etc.

> bed throw: what size to choose for a well-decorated bedroom ?

Other important decorative elements for your bedroom, bedspreads, throws and quilts come in different sizes to suit all styles of bedroom. Discover our entire collection of quilts, throws and bedspreads.

2. How do you choose the right-sized bed linen? 

In this table, you will find the sizes recommended by our experts.

Guide: choosing the right-sized bed linen (see our bed-linen sets)

The size of your bed linen must be suitable for the size of your bed:

See also: how to choose the right duvet Its size, its composition

> Cotton sateen: very soft and silky, this is the material most often requested by the hotels we supply. 

Plain or jacquard satin bed linen reflects more light because it is denser. With a weave of 120 threads/cm², cotton sateen produces a fabric whose quality can be felt: sateen is smoother than other weaves.

>Cotton gauze: Lightweight, soft and supple, this is a great material for summer.

Generally lined for the manufacture of bed linen, gauze is distinguished by its naturally embossed, slightly crumpled aspect.

> Washed linen: cool in summer and soft in winter.

Linen is the ultimate all-season material. Also very appreciated for its authentic, natural touch, linen is washed to soften its fibres. Linen is not a material that needs to be ironed.

> Velvet: Very popular in Nordic countries for its warmth.

Velvet duvet covers are made with a polyester velvet top side and a 120 thread count/cm² satin under side, which will be in contact with your body. This material is soft, shiny, machine-dryable and does not need to be ironed. Velvet naturally recovers its shape after washing.