Choosing bedding
Bedding is where small decisions have a nightly effect. Three of them do most of the work: tog, fibre and fit.
Tog is seasonal, not a quality score
- 4.5 tog — summer, and all year for anyone who sleeps hot.
- 10.5 tog — spring and autumn, and the single duvet most UK homes settle on.
- 13.5 tog — winter, and for cold bedrooms.
- All-seasons — a 4.5 and a 9 tog that clip together, giving three weights from one purchase. The sensible choice if you only want to buy once.
A higher tog is not a better duvet. Overheating wakes people more often than cold does.
Thread count stops mattering sooner than you think
Above roughly 400, thread count is largely a marketing number, and inflated counts often come from twisted multi-ply yarns rather than a finer fabric. The weave matters more: percale is crisp, cool and matte; sateen is smoother and warmer with a slight sheen. Both are worth choosing between deliberately.
Fibre changes how you sleep
- Cotton — breathable, durable, gets softer with washing. The dependable default.
- Bamboo viscose — noticeably cooler and moisture-wicking, which is why hot sleepers tend to stay with it once they try it.
- Polycotton blends — crease-resistant and quick to dry, at the cost of some breathability. Practical for children's beds and spare rooms.
Pillows should follow your sleeping position
Side sleepers need a firm, deep pillow to fill the gap between ear and shoulder. Back sleepers want medium. Front sleepers need something soft and flat, or the neck is pushed out of line all night. This is the cheapest fix available for waking up stiff.
Measure your mattress depth
Standard fitted sheets cope with around 25cm. Deeper mattresses, especially pillow-tops, need deep fitted sheets.
