When is a comforter or a quilt not just that lump on your bed? The importance of your bedding not only has practical benefits, but also medical and aesthetic ones as well. This focal point in your bedroom is the first thing people will see when they enter the bedroom, so it sets the color scheme, style, and tone of the whole room.

What’s the difference between these terms? The color scheme, obviously, is the color combinations you choose. The choice of bright or muted colors, complementary or opposing colors, neutrals or black and white will set the tone, or mood, of the room; that is, the emotions you want to evoke. For instance, red tends to make you feel happy, optimistic, and full of energy. Pink awakens feelings of kindness, blue brings calmness, security and trust. Neutrals stand as a firm foundation of reliability. The stark contrast of black and white stirs up a balance between evil and purity. The style of a room refers to distinctive form of fashion that you have chosen. Contemporary, French country, shabby chic, coastal, traditional, mid-century modern styles are just a few examples that can express your attitude. All three of these help to reflect the nuances of your personality.

Medically speaking, quality sleep is a very important factor that affects your entire well-being. Quality sleep, as determined by the National Sleep Foundation, is a combination of sleep duration, sleep quality, and disordered sleep. Factors that can prevent you from getting "a good night’s sleep" can include ambient temperature and anxiety, along with many others, such as your sleep routine, blue light, disease states, and diet. Your bedding can help with these first two. Whether it’s the season, or a hormonal biological change, switching your sheets to flannel and adding heavier coverings will keep your warmer, while breathable microfiber or cotton and light coverings help keep you cooler. To help with anxiety, there is now a weighted blanket option, which helps to calm stress by mimicking an all-night hug. Quality sleep boosts your immune system, improves cognitive function, and makes your more social and empathetic towards others, improving your overall health.

"If you want to make a difference in the world, start by making your bed," said Admiral William H. McRaven at the 2014 Commencement at the University of Texas in Austin. "If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you’ll never be able to do the big things right. If, by chance, you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that’s made. That you made. And a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better." Taking this spiritual discipline to heart will give you the sense of accomplishment to start the day. What better way to make your bed than with a comforter or quilt that you love and shows off your personal style to your world.