When it comes to selecting linens for our bedrooms, many of us are in great need of a crash-course in Bedding Basics 101. Whether you’re in the market for a big purchase in honor of your major spring clean, or looking to preserve the integrity of a recent purchase, here are some tried-and-true tips from the shelter experts.

What are the most popular colors to use in a master bedroom? How do you keep the room visually balanced? Blues, whites, neutrals, and greens are the most-used hues, according to Southern Accents. To keep rooms aesthetically clean, they suggest matching the skirt to the headboard to “keep the bed from looking too busy.” The magazine also recommends using “tailored skirts with trim or banding. The skirt should never be too short — it should graze the floor ever so slightly. You can completely change the look of a bed by adding or removing a skirt.”

Does thread count really matter? According to Coastal Living, thread counts can be misleading.
“When looking for a quality set of sheets, it is important to remember that thread count is not the be-all and end-all of sheets. It is the quality of yarn, the construction, and the finishing of the yarn that truly creates a wonderful sheet set. Anyone can make a 600-thread-count sheet, but it may not be made correctly.”

Spent a fortune on a can’t-live-without set? Here’s how Southern Accents magazine recommends keeping them in tip-top shape:

• Use only mild detergents or linen washes. Less is more; don’t pour directly onto the fabric.
• Wash on the gentle cycle with warm — not hot — water.
• Forget fabric softeners. Buildup will coat threads and leave them brittle.
• If possible, allow sheets to air dry. Otherwise, use the low setting on the dryer and remove when still damp.
• “Iron sheets while they’re still slightly damp to the touch. When pressing monograms or embellishments, place them facedown on a thick towel to avoid flattening the design.”

Class dismissed!