Get the Best Bedding at a Discount

We spend nearly a third of each day in one spot -- bed. (Those of us lucky enough to get a full eight hours every night, that is.) Even if you’re squeaking by on six or seven hours, you want to make sure it’s well equipped, aesthetically pleasing, and above all, comfortable. After all, a healthy, satisfying sleep-life will carry over into your waking hours, as well.

Luxury bedding has become increasingly prevalent in department stores and in catalogues in recent years. Designer sheet sets made from 600-thread count Egyptian cotton can run well over $100, and high-end down comforters are even more expensive. And that’s without even buying a mattress. Here’s how to shop wisely for new bedding and get the most out of the sleep gear you already have, so you can hit the hay in style.

Deep Discounts
If you’re already a bargain shopper then you know that stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s and Filene’s Basement carry items that come straight from department store overstock. While you might not want to buy a cashmere sweater in a super trendy color that didn’t sell this season, you shouldn’t mind that in a sheet set. You can often find full sets at half their original prices in these places, and although you have to be ready to hunt through the shelves, sizes like extra-long twin and California King can frequently be found hiding behind a row of Queen sets.

Sometimes packages will have a sticker that says, ‘irregular” or “discontinued.” If it’s the former, don’t be afraid to open them up and take a look. Again, where a crooked seam on an irregular pair of pants would be a deal breaker, it won’t necessarily tarnish a beautifully soft high thread-count sheet set. Discontinued generally indicates that the color or pattern is no longer on the market. Trying to coordinate with a matching comforter or sham can pose a problem. But if they go with bedding you already have, buy with abandon.

White sales at big department stores are also great places to pick up cheap linens. Macy’s has an annual White Sale in January that offers post-holiday savings. And The Company Store has frequent online sales that are great for picking up sturdy, colorful linens. It’s an especially great resource for kids’ bedding.

Keep Things Interesting
Here’s a secret: You don’t need to own a down comforter to use a duvet cover. You can put any comforter inside and still get nice warm and stylish. Duvet covers come in many solids and prints and start at about $30. Ikea has great deals on bright, modern patterns, and Garnet Hill has beautiful, sophisticated prints and rich jewel tone solids. The beauty of the duvet is that you can change the entire look of your bedding and bedroom without shelling out for an entirely new comforter. Add matching shams for a more complete look.

Proper Care
Even if you find the best deals in the world, you’ll still save more if you buy less frequently. Mattresses, your biggest expense, should be flipped and rotated every few months to avoid uneven wear patterns over time. Investing in a good mattress pad, or even mattress cover, will also prolong your bed’s life by keeping it clean. It’s also good practice to vacuum your mattress with an upholstery attachment, one of the smaller heads that snaps onto the vacuum tube, when you flip and rotate. That way dust and dust mites won’t build up.

Beauty, variety and longevity – what more do you need for a happy life in bed?