All the Elements That Make Up Your Bed, Explained

Add the finishing touches to your bedroom with bedding that suits your interior and sleeping style. In this guide, we cover all the elements that make up a complete set of bed linen, from duvets to pillowcases, valances to bedspreads and more.

What is a Duvet Cover?

Most of us tuck in under a duvet and duvet cover every night, and while they protect duvets from stains and damage, duvet covers also serve up important style and comfort functions. They're a really easy way to splash some colour or pattern in a room (think floral, geometric and even photographic designs) and they're available in a range of fabrics, from breathable, soft cotton to sumptuous silk and linen, which ages beautifully.

Care Instructions: Almost all duvet covers are machine washable but some fabrics such as silk are delicate and may require a low washing temperature or a hand wash setting.

Tip: Make sure your duvet suits your sleeping style, our guide, How to Choose a Duvet and Pillow to Suit Your Sleep Style explains everything from size to ideal shape, budget type and even the best duvets for allergy sufferers.

What are Pillowcases?

Pillowcases are designed to enclose our pillows for protection and to make them more decorative. The most common types are standard (sometimes called housewife) and Oxford (much like a standard pillowcase but with a decorative frill around the edge) which are both designed to fit standard or king size pillows. Pillowcases are often sold with duvet covers in a matching set, but it can be handy to have some spare plain ones in case you or any guests sleep with multiple pillows.

Care Instructions: Pillowcases are usually machine washable but you should always take care with delicate fabrics such as silk, as these pillowcases may require washing at a lower temperature. If your pillowcase features any embroidery, you may want to use a mesh laundry bag for extra protection once inside the washing machine.

Tip: For every pillowcase, you need a supporting pillow, so why not check out our guides, Choosing the Perfect Pillow Types and Your Step-By-Step Guide to Washing Pillows.

What are Bed Sheets?

Bed sheets are primarily used to cover a mattress, but they can also be used as top sheets under a duvet or blanket (often found in hotels), or on their own as a light cover in hotter weather.

Fitted vs. Flat Sheets

Sheets are available in two types: fitted and flat sheets. Fitted sheets have a partially elasticated hem which pulls the sheet around the corners of a mattress and secures it in place underneath. This makes it quick and easy to fit and avoids lots of tugging and tucking to remove creases. Flat sheets are un-elasticated and need to be tucked under the mattress on all sides to keep them in place. They are also the best sheets to use as top sheets.

Tip: It's important to read the instructions on your linen, bedspreads or blankets before washing or dry cleaning to ensure you maximise its lifespan.

What is a Bedspread?

Bedspreads are decorative cloths used to cover a bed whenever it's not being used. Many bedspreads come with a quilted wadding filling so they make for a great extra layer in colder weather, but also work well as a light cover in summer. They're specifically designed for beds with sizes that match bed sizes - single, double, king, super king - so that they can completely cover the surface of the bed and hang close to the floor. As a result most bedspreads are designed to match a duvet cover set you can coordinate easily.

Care Instructions: Most bedspreads can be machine washed, but check the label for temperature guidance. If suitable for a tumble drier, only use a low heat setting.

Tip: A bedspread is a great way to keep your spare room looking presentable without needing to fully make the bed. It stops infrequently used beds from getting dusty and is useful if your spare room doubles up as another room, such as a home office.

What are Bed Runners?

Bed runners are long, narrow pieces of fabric used to cover the end of a bed for decorative reasons: they can give your bed that 'finished' look. Runners are often quilted or embroidered with a decorative design and may use luxurious, silky fabrics; they're an easy way to change the look of your bed without having to change the whole duvet cover.

Care Instructions: Runners may be delicate to wash if they're made from sensitive fabrics or details such as beading. If you're machine washing them, try putting the runner inside a mesh laundry bag to give it extra protection.

What are Blankets & Throws?

Blankets and throws are large pieces of fabric that are used as an extra layer on a bed, to cover a piece of furniture or generally for people to snuggle up in around the house. They come in loads of sizes, patterns and prints are often be made of a single layer of wool, fleece, cashmere or cotton which makes them soft and pliable. These days, you'll find everything from chunky to waffle textures too.

What is a Valance?

Valances are decorative skirts that attach to a bed frame to cover the area between a mattress and the floor. While valances aren't necessary for most bed frame types, they are most often used with divan beds to hide the base of the bed from sight, but can be a decorative feature in their own right.