The decorating of a bed today has many options such as Bedspreads, Comforter Sets and Duvets which will brighten up any home dĂŠcor. The Bedspread is usually a piece of fabric that covers the whole bed and the pillows too. The Comforter Set includes pillow shams of the same pattern and material as the Comforter. Duvets are sometimes used on top the Comforter Set as well.
The Bedspread is primarily used to make the bed look neat in appearance and usually goes down to the floor on all three sides of the bed with pillows that get tucked under the Bedspread. A Comforter Set falls on three sides of the bed as well covering the mattress and the box springs. Often times if the bed doesn't have a platform frame, a bed skirt will be used to cover the box springs that goes down to the floor.
Since Comforter Sets don't cover the bed pillows, the set will include pillow shams and pillow covers that the bed pillows are inserted into which makes the set have a finished look. Adding decorative throw pillows will make the bed look even more attractive. It is interesting to note, that Bed Spreads were developed in ancient times when people wanted to cover their straw beds with animal skins. Bedspreads soon changed from functional needs to a decorative look.
Comforters were created from Quilts which were always hand-made from scraps of available cloth. Originally, the purpose of quilts was warmth but soon became decorative as quilt making became a creative work of art. Batting was used to stuff the quilt with such materials as wood shavings and cotton. The Industrial Age brought in sewing machines which enabled bed coverings to be manufactured in mass production, changing the patchwork quilt design to one of a Comforter. Comforters were still used for warmth by placing them under the top sheet. In present times, the Comforter has become more fashionable by putting it over the bed sheets.
For much of the 20th century, Chenille was the popular cloth of Bedspreads. It was made from tufted cotton with pattern designs, either in one pastel color or multicolored, which are still available today. Manufacturers are producing Bedspreads using smoother fabrics with multicolors and patterns to suit their customers taste from Oriental to European to Geometric. Bedspreads will sometimes cost less than Comforter Sets but again it depends on the quality and the weight of the Bedspread. The Comforter Set is comprised of many pieces which could add to the cost of the item. Some people purchase Bedspreads and will complement it with adding their own throw pillows.
The fabric is an important consideration as well. One must choose what fabric they are comfortable with, which will either have to be dry cleaned and that can be costly or a fabric that is machine washable. Comforters may be washable but care of the batting is a concern too that it will hold the shape and won't become matted.
Resources: http://www.colchoneriatordera.es/ http://ezinearticles.com/?The-DifferenceBetween-Bedspreads-and-ComforterSets&id=7699018
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