There's a reason why the bedding section in the department store is so large: there are dozens of different types of pillows, sheets, and bed coverings. Not only are there different types of items, but they come in all different colors, prints, and sizes. It can be a bit confusing learning all of these different terms, but knowing the definitions will help you when you are shopping and need to find the right item for your bed.

Bed sheets come in two main varieties: flat and fitted. A flat sheet is simply a rectangular sheet of cloth, while a fitted sheet has four corners, and sometimes two or four sides, fitted with elastic, to be used only as a bottom sheet. The fitted sheet may also be secured using a drawstring instead of elastic. The purpose of a fitted bottom sheet is to keep it from slipping off the mattress while the bed is in use. A particular way of folding and tucking while making the bed, known as hospital corners, is sometimes used when the bottom sheet is flat rather than fitted.