A safe and sustainable sleep space need not lack style. In fact, eco-friendly, non-toxic bedding is available in a wide range of styles to suit most aesthetics. Here’s our guide to matching sheets, shams, and duvet covers for a seamless and sustainable bedroom look – part of the Leaf Score Guide to Non-Toxic Bedding.
Table of Contents
Pastel and more muted, natural colors and textures are common for sustainable, safe bedding. This is because non-toxic bedding is made using safe, non-toxic dyes and natural materials. In contrast, bold, brash colors and velvet or shiny fabrics are a product of synthetic materials and hazardous dyes and other treatments.
The good news is that calmer colors are actually better for creating a bedroom that helps you wind down and relax.
Top tips for a stylish bedroom
The key to matching sheets and duvet covers, pillow shams, comforters, and other bedding is to understand layering, textures, colors, and patterns.
Choose your focus
Designers typically suggest that if you love a monochrome (single color) look, you mix things up with different textures and tones. In practice, this might mean having a mix of solid light grey linen sheets and shams with a baffled cotton comforter in a complementary dark grey. Baffling or intricate quilting are great ways to add interest to a comforter without extra color or too much fussiness.
On the flip side, if you’re more of a fan of patterns, stick to a single color palette and fabric type. This might mean all organic cotton linens or all hemp linens in a mix of light and deep blues, for example.
When too many textures, colors, and patterns vie for attention, this can create a busy look that isn’t calming or stylish.
Experiment with patterns
Big, bold patterns can create interest in an otherwise muted bedroom aesthetic. If your bedroom is small, though, you might want to stick to a pillow or folded coverlet with a surprising illustration or motif, rather than a patterned duvet cover or comforter that can make the room feel cluttered.
Quilting, embroidery, small tassels, and low-contrast patterns are also a good choice if you’re hesitant about bold and busy colors and prints.
Buy the batch
One of the simplest ways to match duvet covers and sheets is to buy these from the same company at the same time. Because natural dyes can create differences between batches, you may find that your shams, sheets, and duvet cover don’t match if you buy these separately.
If you missed the chance to buy the batch, consider choosing unbleached and undyed fabrics to complement your existing choices.
Get creative with layers
A stylish bedroom also relies on layering. You might, for instance, choose an all-white fitted sheet and shams in crisp percale organic cotton, with a percale top sheet in a light blue, topped with a slightly darker blue comforter with intricate quilting. You could then add a wool blanket in white for colder nights.
Consider your bed frame and drapery
It’s hard to find an eco-friendly upholstered bed frame or headboard. I’ve never come across one in all my research at Leaf Score. If you happen to have such a thing, though, take the upholstery into account when choosing bedding. You’ll want to select colors and patterns that complement the headboard without adding too much extra visual interest.
Similarly, if you have drapery or curtains you love, take these into account when choosing sheets and other bed linens. If they have a busy pattern, consider choosing solid colors in the same color palette for linens. If the curtains are a solid color, consider different patterns and textures while sticking to the same color palette.
Final thoughts on how to match sheets, shams, and duvet covers
A careful selection of sheets, shams, and duvet covers (and blankets!) can create a calm, relaxing sleep space. Your choice of bedding also offers an opportunity to add personality to your bedroom, and to switch things up weekly and seasonally by rotating different sets of sheets, shams, and other linens.
While the options for non-toxic bedding were once limited, you’ll now find a wealth of materials, colors, textures, and patterns. Many bedding companies also offer a trial period, so if you order a bold pattern and it just doesn’t work for your bedroom, you can send it back for a refund.
All in all, you don’t want to lose sleep over your choice of bedding. Stick to natural, organic, safe and sustainable materials and go with what works with your current bedroom décor or stick to neutral, solid colors that will stand the test of time.