The Bedding and Bath Planner

More on Bed Linens

American bed linens come in a standard range of sizes, with minor variations from one manufacturer to the next. (The variation is only noticeable in the depth of the "box" in a fitted sheet; better-quality sheets are deeper to accommodate the new, thicker mattresses, and need less tugging.) If you plan to choose linens from outside the United States, make sure they conform to the following flat sheet sizes (don't even attempt to buy fitted sheets abroad): twin, 66-by-96 inches; full, 81-by-96 inches; queen, 90-by-102 inches; king, 108-by-102 inches.

As a general rule, you'll want three sets of sheets for your master bedroom. Make the first classic white. 

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Add Colorful Sheets for Personality

After you have your whites covered, choose additional sheets in colors that will coordinate with your bedroom's decor -- and each other. For instance from top to bottom: 1. "Rebus jacquar" set, by Pratesi. 2. "Jo" fitted and flat, Missoni, Unica Home. 3. "Tuxedo stripe" flat, Charisma. 4. Custom "savannah" fitted and flat, Leontine Linens, leontine linens.com. 5 & 6. "Rem" fitted in peacock, "nite" flat in oyster, Society, from ABC Carpet & Home. 7. "Ritz" fitted and flat, from Nancy Koltes at Home. 8. "Royal velvet" set, Homestead, from Bed Bath & Beyond. 9. "Pure comfort" fitted and flat, DKNY, from bloomingdales.com. 10. "Union square" set, Sferra. 11. "Ellington" fitted and flat from Garnet Hill.

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Throw In Pretty Pillows

Get adventurous by adding pretty throw pillows to the mix. Here are a few we like: 1. "Shanghai apricot" sham, Twinkle Living. 2. "Cayenne paisley" pillow, Hable Construction. 3. "Zafferano" sham, Anna Sova, from ABC Carpet & Home, 212-473-3000. 4. Silk pillow, Michele Varian, for similar. 5. "Abstract leaves" pillow, Ankasa, from Calypso Home, 212-925-6200. 6. "Petites plumes" sham, D. Porthault, from Bergdorf Goodman, 212-872-8787. 7. "Lido" sham, Olatz. 8. "Modern scallop" pillow, Vera Wang Fine Linens. 9. "Tulah" sham, Matouk, from gracioushome.com. 10. "Darcy" sham, Schweitzer Linen.

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Cozy Up to Bold Bedding Pieces

Now that the essentials are in place, feel free to circle back to any fanciful pieces that may have tempted you along the way -- sheets in a lush botanical print, a jewel-toned throw blanket. It could be just the thing to complete your trousseau. Shown here: 360-thread-count pillowcase in sky blue, Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's, macys.com; "Indigo stripe" pillow case; "Red ginger" duvet cover; John Robshaw Textiles.

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Bath Linens Checklist

Cotton is the most popular fabric for towels. Towels vary in pile height, density of loops, suppleness of yarn, and other details that determine longevity and cost.

Terry towels have a top warp in addition to the usual warp (lengthwise threads) and woof (widthwise threads), making it more absorbent. Conceivably, terry can be made from any fiber. Most terry towels are made of American Upland cotton; more expensive towels use Pima and Egyptian cottons.

Jacquard is a towel with the terry loops raised and lowered to create patterns, anything from floral designs to checks and cables.

Flat-woven towels are frequently made from subtly patterned cotton or linen fabric (unusual yarns such as chenilles and boucles are also used) and are a common choice for guest towels; they wear well but require frequent ironing.