Do you use the same bedding all year long? Or do you change it up for each season? Want a big impact for very little expense? Just follow these tips.
The first step to interchangable bedding is neutral sheets. I prefer white or ivory. They go with everything! The second step is layering. I also have a ivory matelasse quilt that I purchased at Home Goods to use as a base in my layering. So the sheets and the matelasse are the constant. Next, depending on the time of the year, and my mood I add another quilt (or two), pillow shams and throw pillows. My personal decorating style is French Country cottage. So most of my quilts, shams and pillows reflect that theme. But when I want to lighten it up a little, I can store the deep reds and add some summer roses.
By buying separates instead of a “bed in a bag”, you can change up the look of your bedroom anytime of the year. The throw pillows I use in my bedroom, also work on the couch in my living room, the bench in my eat in kitchen and the screened porch. So if you need a change at home, if things are feeling kind of dull, shop around your house. See if you can pull together a whole new look from things you already own. You might just need to purchase one new quilt for a whole new look!
1. Oh I just love changing up my bedding. I don’t do it for seasons but more when I feel like a change
deezie
oh and the more pillows the better
by Deezie — 12/30/08 at 12:49 pm #
2. I use cotton sheets in warm weather and flannet sheets in the winter. Thanks for your helpful suggestion about buying separates.
by Lynne — 12/30/08 at 1:29 pm #
3. Oops, please correct flannet to read flannel. Thank you.
by Lynne — 12/30/08 at 1:36 pm #
4. Great ideas. I’m always looking for a way to change things around a little. Mimi
by Mimi — 12/30/08 at 1:49 pm #
5. I can’t ait to get rid of the wallpaper in my bedroom and paint it my favorite soothing green. The bedding will then be much easier to change out as you mention. Love, love, love the red but the pink is soooo adorable.
by Miss Jean — 12/30/08 at 1:57 pm #
6. I agree I get a new look by changing out my pillows on my matisse coverlet on our bed.
I like to change them for the seasons…
I would love to buy a new sofa and this time I would buy a neutral color for the same reason
I am learning that accessories are easier to replace to add the “new” color of the year to your home than furniture pieces!
I love shopping at Home Goods and am enjoying your blog here with great ideas.
Kathie
by kathie — 12/30/08 at 2:34 pm #
7. Hi Penny,
Everything in my home can be switched from room to room ~ everything has been selected to “go” with everything else!!! I love doing that!
When I worked outside the home as an Interior Designer, my clients loved the fact that I did that for them, too!
Happy New Year,
Jan
by Jan — 12/30/08 at 2:48 pm #
8. Thanks for the tips. I love to change my bedding often. I use a mix of new and old. Vintage quilts, pillows with a mix of new sheets.
Great article.
Kris
by Kris — 12/30/08 at 3:40 pm #
9. I agree, white sheets are the way to go. I love them because they remind me of the soft white sheets at my grandmothers farmhouse. Line dried, they always smelled so good and felt so crisp.
by Kathy — 12/30/08 at 3:42 pm #
10. I love the change from red to pink. I’m hoping for some sales after the first of the year. Isn’t January traditionally when the “white goods” sales are?
Darla
by darla7 — 12/30/08 at 3:48 pm #
11. What a good idea. for a change of pace and less expensive than buying a whole new package.—Judie
by Judie — 12/30/08 at 4:13 pm #
12. great tips! i currently use the same quilt all year. it’s a patchwork of pale blues and reds. my bedroom has wood planks on the ceiling which give it a cabin-y feel.
by elyse — 12/30/08 at 4:40 pm #
13. Hi Penny, I just love that bedspread and I’ve been looking around and there are some very nice things here. I will have to add this to my favorites. Have a great day.
by gloria — 12/30/08 at 4:58 pm #
14. Wonderful ideas and i love the red color!!!!! Thank youfor the decorating tips too.
suzanne
by suzanne — 12/30/08 at 5:40 pm #
15. Penny, I didn’t know you were here as well! Such a busy lady - Happy New Year! Rachaelxo
by Rachael — 12/30/08 at 6:49 pm #
16. I too use cotton sheets most of the year and flannel during the few winter months. My bedding is all ecru except for a few pillowcases (on the ‘just for pretty’ pillows) I change out on occasion (not with seasons or holidays - more when the mood strikes!) I need to think about more layers to change out!
by TinaTx — 12/30/08 at 7:20 pm #
17. I love to change the look of a room by changing the linens! I like to use white sheets and pillowcases, and then I can change out the comforter or quilt and pillows.
Susan
by Susan at Black eyed susans kitchen — 12/30/08 at 7:38 pm #
18. Oh, Penny! Those quilts are WONDERFUL. I love to have seasonal looks for a bed and other rooms, too, and you certainly accomplished it here! Love this!
XO,
Sheila
by Sheila — 12/30/08 at 7:40 pm #
19. LOVE this advice. This is my plan too. I love the idea that items can be interchanged throughout the house and to change things around for seasons or holidays is awesome too.
by suzann — 12/30/08 at 9:01 pm #
20. Penny…..That is a great idea to change things up a little ..that doesnt break the budget!!!! Those quilts & pillows look lovely!
Hugs..
Debbie G.
by Debbie — 12/30/08 at 9:16 pm #
21. Great ideas from a talented lady!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
by kari and kijsa — 12/30/08 at 11:53 pm #
22. Hi Penny!
Both beds look so pretty and so different. I love the idea of using white sheets as the base. I love eyelet trim on sheets and bedskirts –I hope Home Goods will have some in stock!
Pat in NY
by Pat — 12/31/08 at 1:06 am #
23. Beautiful photos, Penny! You sure have a way with decorating!
by tattingchic — 12/31/08 at 1:24 am #
24. What pretty pictures!! I love reading your articles.
Dawn
by Dawn — 12/31/08 at 1:32 am #
25. I, also, change my bed as the seasons change. I like light colors for summer and warmer colors for winter. I never buy things in sets, since mixing things up is so much more interesting. I never buy matching furniture sets, either.
~elaine~
by Elaine L. — 12/31/08 at 3:43 am #
26. I love mixing & matching sheets, blankets & quilts. The unfortunate side of loving all the different colors means that I have to store them. :0{
by Diane (Four Paws & Co) — 12/31/08 at 3:46 am #
27. I like doing the same thing, too, Penny. I think it just makes for a more beautiful look.
Donna
by Donna — 12/31/08 at 8:52 am #
28. Penny I also do the same with my bedroom curtains.I have my curtina a neutral color and Change my valnce for the season or mood.
Brenda
by Brenda Gipson — 12/31/08 at 9:34 am #
29. Hi Penny, Love the ideas of changing your bedding like that. I’ve just been customising my bedsheets, by adding a stripe of patterned fabric to a plain duvet cover/pillow cases. I think I’ll definitely have to look at doing something like this! Happy New Year
by Sarah — 12/31/08 at 2:00 pm #
30. Very nice! I still love the red and white check quilt that you found and wonder how I could incorporate that into my color palate! Love your ideas!
by lavender dreams — 12/31/08 at 3:28 pm #
31. Good ideas…I have the basic ‘bed in a bag’ with vintage pillowcases added and a winter quilt plus a few decorative pillows. I can do better by changing it up even more, if I follow your tips.
by Vee — 12/31/08 at 5:27 pm #
32. I love to change around bedding items - keep the larger items neutral so I can mix and match colors in small things such as pillows, throws.
Now if only I could double the size of the linen closet so I have somewhere to store them!!
by Mary — 1/1/09 at 11:54 am #
33. Thanks for the tips! I feel ready to re-do the whole house!
by Holly — 1/1/09 at 12:04 pm #
34. I like to change it up…..flannel for the cold winter months !!
Happy New Year,
Kathy
by Kathy :) — 1/1/09 at 5:05 pm #
35. Those are great tips!
by carolyn — 1/1/09 at 7:07 pm #
36. Great ideas! I keep my same coverlet but change out the pillows and use either a different quilt or throw across the foot of the bed for a different seasonal look.
by Sandy — 1/1/09 at 10:12 pm #
37. I tend to keep things the same too long. You have some wonderful ideas that I think I could use to change things up. I’m bookmarking this blog!
by ancient one — 1/2/09 at 1:53 am #
38. I just love getting new bedding. I used to get new sets every 6 months. Well I can’t afford to do that any more but I love your idea of buying items to mix and match. Great tips. Thanks.
Hugs,
Joanne
by Joanne — 1/2/09 at 2:50 am #
39. I have only recently started to interchange the look of my bedding. Probably because I find so much inspiration in the lovely homes I am able to visit through the blogging community;-)
I am particularly drawn to your French Country style and I love the lighter shades for Spring/Summer and darker for Fall/ Winter.
Thanks Penny, for sharing all of your lovely ideas.
Rhonda
by farmhouse style — 1/2/09 at 9:40 am #
40. Great idea! I love Home Goods and just recently found this site. Your work is beautiful… thanks for so much inspiration.
by Penny — 1/2/09 at 4:12 pm #
41. What lovely inspiration. I always admire people who can redecorate for the seasons.
Karen
by Karen — 1/2/09 at 6:18 pm #
42. Thank You for those helpful hints. I usually change with the seasons as well but I need to try and add more layers and remember to use your suggestion of ivory or white. Thanks Again
by Rhonda — 1/2/09 at 8:40 pm #
43. I love to change up my linens too. I usually just change with the seasons. It always makes it look new and fresh. Thanks for the great ideas.
Lee
by Lee — 1/3/09 at 12:57 am #
44. I keep the same colors for too long! Thanks for some great ideas to mix it up a bit!
by Rhonda — 1/3/09 at 11:50 am #
45. I love to change up for each new season. I mostly like calm, quiet colors. But once in a while I am in the mood for something more dramatic. Love your ideas and comments. Hugs, ~cindy s.~
by Cindy — 1/3/09 at 1:17 pm #
46. Your room is lovely! Our master bedroom maintains it’s soothing color palette of dusty blues and greens and creamy yellow - until Thanksiving. Then, I switch to a cranberry quilt, hang a Christmas wreath on the bedroom bedoor, bring in a few favorite accents and a Christmas pillow or two, and we are wrapped in the holidays until “little Christmas” - the 12th day of Christmas on January 6th.
I love your suggestion of basic white or ivory linens and matelasse. Thanks!
by Margaret — 1/3/09 at 5:47 pm #
47. I should start changing it up a little. Great tips, Penny! You’ve inspired me!
by Deborah — 1/3/09 at 7:53 pm #
48. I love all the ideas you share with us today! Your decor is amazing! I too love the French Country style. Very classy and timeless. And yes, I do change comforters and shams by season.
by YayaOrchid — 1/3/09 at 8:29 pm #
49. Yes, I change with the seasons. I have numerous quilts I love to use. I have an ivory bedskirt and I use solid sheets most of the time. I prefer jersey sheets in winter. They are warm and soft and come in such beautiful colors. I have sage green, heather grey, and cranberry. In the summer, we prefer a percale sheet. I, too, like to use more than one quilt. I always have one folded across the foot of the bed and one draped over a chair plus the one we use a bed cover. Unless, of course, I am in a chenille mood. I just love the old chenilles. I like a country look but also have really feminine moments. My husband thinks we have too many linens and pillows but I tell him you can never have too many! LOL
by Linda — 1/4/09 at 4:50 pm #
50. Both bedding choices are beautiful! I have all white bedding, but I think it’s time to add a little color
rue
by rue — 1/4/09 at 5:04 pm #
51. What fun to change things up a bit with each beautiful season! I try to do this with a few additions. Love your ideas…keep the background simple and add some pizzazz with pillows and separates.
As always, thank you for all your wonderful ideas!
by Sue — 1/5/09 at 2:42 am #
52. Good advice! Changing it up a bit will save money, and a change in scenery is what is often most needed. I love your pictures, also.
by Shirl — 1/5/09 at 3:48 am #
53. Great tips Penny! I like it much better when everything is not so matchy match anyway-so I try to mix it up when ever I can. I think it is easy to forget that we can do that when we get into shopping mode. Your post is so helpful and…
Love what you did with both of those beds!
~Tam
by Tam — 1/5/09 at 6:44 am #
54. Love the red and white quilt ~
Right now, my bedding is Black toile and hot pink.
Thanks for the great ideas!
by Penny — 1/5/09 at 6:52 am #
55. Those are both gorgeous! I just changed the look of my bedding just by folding down the quilt and leaving it at the bottom of the bed instead of pulled up all the way. I’m amazed at the difference that made!
by cindy~My Romantic Home — 1/5/09 at 10:46 am #