Moderngear Home: Bring a little excitement into your bedroom

Things getting a little boring in the old bedroom? Feeling a bit shabby and worn out? Time to really spice things up? Yup, I understand completely. It's time for new linens.

Whether you're looking to update your decor or you're getting ready to deck out a dorm room for yourself or for your kids (hey, readers of all ages are welcome here!), there are so many fun and inexpensive sheet sets, duvet covers and pillow cases available these days that now you can really start to have some fun in your bedroom.

I personally have been known to be all about the thread count when we're talking bed linens but I can consider changing my sheet snob status and admit that there's a possibility that like age, it's really nothing but a number. There's much more to picking a good sheet set than thread count, and fun coloured, or patterned sheets are an inexpensive way to update and add a touch of humour to your room...be sure to slightly turn down the quilt, duvet or comforter on top to showcase the pattern. Here are some of my favourites, starting off with a tattoo-inspired set from Sin In Linen. LOVE the print!

The above Flash Ivory Queen sheet set is $119.99, duvet cover $120, and two standard pillowcases $29. I also really like the pin-up girl Joie de Viv print - Queen fitted sheet $45, flat sheet $40.

The Goa Sheet Set at Anthropologie (Plenty Home by Tracy Reese) is very Missoni-for-the-bed, $168 for a King-sized set.
And I am itching to try out Eileen Fisher's Washed Linen Bedding collection from Garnet Hill. I don't think there would be much better than sleeping on real, soft-to-the-touch linen.
Fitted sheet in Queen $145
Flat sheet in Queen $145
Pair of standard pillowcases $75

Even if you're happy with your sheet set, an easy way to spruce up where you sleep is with a new patterned duvet or comforter cover. You'd want to be sure to get either a complementary pattern to go with your sheets, or opt for plain sheets lest your ensemble get too busy.

I am really attracted to some of the wonderful prints in the linens at Anthropologie, like this Alhambra Quilt in berry, $198 for Queen size, and $58 for a euro-sized sham.
The Antique Chic Comforter Cover from Delias.com would be a great statement piece in a bedroom - $68 for a Queen-sized.
I also really like their Victorian Comforter Cover, $68 for Queen-sized.
And IKEA duvet covers are a great and inexpensive way to add a little zest. At these prices you could have two and rotate them regularly. Come to think of it, this would be a great solution to the "Shoot, I forgot to put the duvet cover in the dryer" discovery I regularly make at 10pm on laundry day!
Alvine Skon $49.99
quilt cover and two pillowcases (full/queen)

Hedda Lov $49.99
quilt cover and two pillowcases (full/queen)
I'm also pretty partial to a classic hotel-look duvet, like this White and chocolate hotel comforter cover for $129.99.
And finally from Dwell Studio, my favourite of favourites, the whimsical Chinoiserie print. I covet this cover. When I dream at night, I dream I'm sleeping under it. $253 full/queen

You can find great new sheets at all sorts of stores with all sorts of price ranges, from Target and Walmart to Holt Renfrew, The Bay, Horchow and Neiman Marcus. The only suggestion I would make is that you're much better off with cotton for breathability and comfort throughout the night - I've never found polyester comfortable enough to give a good night's sleep.

Sweet dreams!