While I’m still getting settled in my new place (that I moved into all the way back in September *cough*), I’ve made one update that I’m really excited about.
On my bed, I made the switch to white bedding. Specifically, a new white linen duvet encasing my fluffy down-filled comforter and supima cotton sheets that feel cool and crisp when slipping in between them at night.
Is it a little more nerve wracking to drink a cup of tea in bed? Sure. Do I make sure to take my makeup off before hitting the pillow at the end of even the longest long day? You bet.
What is it about this bedroom look – a go-to in hotels around the world – that feels so fresh and modern, yet entirely classic?
Read on for our hot take on white bedding:
1. White bedding makes everything else in your bedroom look better (even you)
Don’t get it twisted. As restful and calming as white bedding can appear, it also packs a punch in the design department, since the bed generally dominates the bedroom visually.
When you switch from a patterned or brightly-colored duvet and sheets to white bedding, you’ll suddenly notice everything else in your bedroom stands out more than it used to. From bold accessories to neutral foundation pieces. Think: nightstand, painted walls, throw pillows – they all come to the forefront when your bed is bright white.
Ariel Kaye, founder and CEO of Parachute Home agrees, saying, “Keeping your interior elements in a white-on-white palette avoids a cluttered feel and allows luxe materials to really make a statement.”
So go ahead and get bold on your newly-blank canvas, layering different patterns and textures, to achieve completely different looks. White contrasts nicely with stronger decor, like dark walls or a strongly colored bed frame. Or you can go subtle: my crisp blue polka dotted sheets lend just a pop of color that peeks out when the bed is made (which is..sometimes).
2. White bedding gets your brain ready for bed
You guys know I’m all about morning meditation these days. Not that I’m great at it; my mind tends to race at the speed of light. But in the same way that the practice of meditation helps you gradually train your brain to quiet down, an all-white bed lets your noggin know as soon as you enter the room, yep, it’s time for bed (or at least a nap).
Steph MacDonald who founded the 100% made in the USA sheeting company Authenticity 50 with her husband says, “Stimulating, bold, and bright colors will keep you awake and energized, while white bedding immediately evokes a sense of calm, balance, and peace.”
A breezy white bed ensures you’ll feel more relaxed and at ease when it’s time to turn out the lights, and your quality of sleep will be better, too.
3. White bedding is a great design compromise with the missus
Prefer paisley but your lady is looking for something a little more ruffled? White bedding is the perfect “meet in the middle” decor detente to keep the peace in the bedroom.
Laurel & Wolf Designer Nichole Gabriel says, “In the battle of the sexes, what better way to bring together masculine and feminine aesthetic then with white bedding’s simplicity, purity and functional elegance? The no-frills, minimalist but utilitarian comfort is a good fit for a more traditional male point of view, while the delicacy of white appeals to a more feminine aesthetic.”
White bedding constitutes an artistic blank slate that you and your significant other can shift as the mood strikes or as the seasons change, with the addition of pillows, throws or accent bedding.
4. White bedding always looks good
My mornings can be a bit hectic, but somehow even when I fail to make my bed with military corners (or, you know, at all), the whole area looks clean and inviting…despite its disheveled state. As in, your bed looks good even when you don’t make your bed.
TELL ME:
WHAT’S ON YOUR BED RIGHT NOW (AND IS IT MADE)?
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great post. i cannot, for the life of me, understand why anyone would ever use bedding that isn’t all white. towels as well for that matter. there is a reason every high end hotel and spa uses all white. clean, classic, simple..done
Funny, I’ve just been thinking about upgrading my towels to white, as well 🙂 Great minds, Cam…
Bed is definitely made. Today it’s just a quick ‘put the pillows in order and replace the throw pillows and pull the sheets up’, but there are varying levels of ‘made’.
Color wise I do have an all white Ikea comforter (I’m sure I’m supposed to use a duvet cover but never have), with an orange sheet and a dark grey-blue fitted sheet, with 2 pillows of each color. I like to mix and match my sheet sets I have instead of sticking to one pattern/color.
I’ve been thinking about getting a set of the parachute bedding, and would try the all whites. Any reviews/opinions on parachute?
I’ve been using their linen duvet for awhile now and really love it.
IKEA has a linen duvet? How is it in the summer? I’ll have to check into that one to switch up for these upcoming months.
…maybe. It did just snow here yesterday.
We have some sort of yellow & white sheets (which try as I might I can’t actually picture in my head sitting in the office) with white comforter with navy stripes. The bed is made but is most likely currently occupied by a curled up and snoring German Shorthaired Pointer. Which is why I could never have white sheets.
oh my god, I love that you’re like, literally not able to conjure that image up. I bet there’s something you could ask me about in my home that I’d come up totally blank on too.
what if I don’t have a “missus”?
haha, then you’ll just have to settle for reasons 1, 2, and 4 🙂
I like white because I know if I need to throw it through the wash again. Is it white? Cool, clean and ready to go. Is it not? Another cycle for you.
hahhaha, that is a perfect litmus test, I love it
That’s the *exact* thought process I have haha!
Perfect timing on this article, literally about to walk out the door to get new bedding (and a new bed)!
um, that’s amazing. hope some of our reccos above helped!!
Hey SG readers, Steph here from Authenticity 50. Glad to see people are enjoying the article. Happy to answer any q’s on white bedding, thanks!
Steph, I just hit up your website and it looks like you’ve got a great product. Always love a company that tries to promote a quality product and market direct to consumers. Look forward to trying some out.
Hi Drew, thanks so much for the kind words & for checking us out! We’ve worked really hard to bring premium 100% American-made bedding to market, and we’re proud to support American jobs & manufacturing. Selling direct allows us to offer high quality at fair prices. Thanks again for the support, we hope you try our sheets! 🙂
Hmm… my bed is currently unadorned as the sheets are in the washer. My Pendleton wool blanket is there, but that’s about to get a steam refresh and a trip to the closet. I may need to go white in the future as I’ve got oily hair and a cat; white sheets can be bleached.
Shout out to Pendleton wool blankets though!
was going to say the same thing!
This only works if your dog is white. And is always clean.
I’m currently living with family and commuting an hour and a half each way to work so I’ve been too tired to make my bed this week. Luckily I move into my new, much closer to work (read: in the same city) apartment this week Once there my bed will be made and the sheets will be white. I’ve never thought about a white comforter or duvet cover, maybe I out to give it a try. Speaking of duvet covers, I’ve been noticing them a lot lately. My family was always of the comforter persuasion but I see so many people using duvets now. Has it always been this way?
I think the reason might be that while comforters are easier to care for as far as washing goes, duvets have a great versatility factor. And there’s nothing better than crawling under a big fluffy duvet – it gives off that luxe hotel vibe.
It’s funny; I’ve never *not* used a duvet, so maybe it’s just what you’re used to?
You’ll have to let us know how the move goes!
It went well. I’m basically moved in. I’m really excited. I’m living in a converted hotel and its walking and biking distance to shops, restaurants, etc. I’m living the kind of life I’ve wanted to live for the past couple of years.
that sounds amazing! Consider yourself celebrated by all of us here at SG HQ (we even sent an imaginary plant)
Haha thanks! It’s good that it’s imaginary, otherwise I might not have room! I have a tiny studio. I think I’m going to learn to love it though. I’m hoping to see more articles like this about upgrading your space so I can apply them to my new space.
Thanks for the quote Style Girlfriend! I truly believe it! 😉 .. and yes, white linen is my fave! There is nothing more comfortable looking!
I have had wonderful white bedding for five years. It always looks great. I think you should get very high end bedding. You sleep every night and sleep is essential to good health. I make the bed up every morning before I hit the gym. It’s a great way to accomplish something. A made bed always seems to sleep better.