How you choose to outfit your bed is personal preference, but are you well-schooled in distinguishing one layer from the next? What is the difference between a duvet and a quilt? What is a coverlet? Should you choose a bedspread or a blanket cover? And what is a bed scarf? Scroll down for our informative bed coverings glossary.

Finishing touches

 Black bed sheets, on the other hand, can create a bold and eye-catching look, perfect for those who want to make a statement with their bedding.

The most common constructions are muslin, percale, sateen, flannel, and knitted jersey.^[4] In a plain weave the warp and weft cross each other one at a time. Sateen has multiple (usually 3–4) over threads and one under.^[5]

Cotton and cotton blends dominate the market, the most common blend being cotton/polyester. Cotton provides absorbency and a soft hand, while polyester adds durability and wrinkle resistance.^[2] Other common fibers used in the manufacturing of bed sheets include linen, silk, Modal and bamboo rayon, lyocell, Microtex or Microfiber, and polypropylene. Polypropylene (olefin) is a hypoallergenic spun-bound material produced at a low cost and typically used in emergency shelters or hospitals as disposable sheeting.

Bed sheet

Durability