Remake Your Bed

By the Valet. Staff | October 31, 2014

Your bed is a sacred space meant for rest, relaxation and, with any luck, a little recreation. And even though most of us are fine spending the necessary cash on some nice shoes or a jacket, we neglect our sheets—an item we use everyday. A grown man shouldn't be content with a ragged bed and ratty sheets. Make your bed as stylish as the rest of your place with just a few simple upgrades. Trust us, you'll sleep better because of it. And so will any overnight guests.

For some advice on buying bedding, we turned to Ariel Kaye, founder of the direct-to-consumer linens brand Parachute. Designed in LA and made in Italy, the bedding is delivered straight to your doorstep, cutting out the middlemen and most of the markup. Her first tip? Don't sweat thread count. "It's the quality of thread that matters most, not the count," she says. "Look for long strand cotton—like Egyptian or Pima—instead of a high thread count." The other thing to keep in mind is the sensation you most enjoy in bed. The most common types of weaves each have their own texture and will feel completely different against your skin. "For example, Percale is cool and crisp, while Sateen is soft and smooth."

As for colors, keep it simple. Stick to clean white or neutrals like grey or taupe. Opt for a monochromatic look by matching your sheets, pillows and comforter or duvet cover. Because pillowcases take such a beating, Kaye suggests replacing them every six to eight months to keep things fresh. Finish the look of your made bed with a bit of color and texture by adding some easy design touches like a throw pillow or a blanket laid across the foot of the bed.

40%

The amount of Americans who don't sleep with a top sheet—just the fitted sheet and a duvet cover.