But it isn't all design. Comforters are great additions to the bedroom because they keep you really warm in the winter months, and warmth means comfort. So how do you go about choosing the right comforter for you bed and bedroom, one that will keep you warm and add to the flavor of the design?

As with all things, thought and preparation, and a bit of research will take you a long way. This may sound weird, but the comforter really has to be big enough for your bed. So many people choose a comforter they really like, and then find that it isn't big enough for their bed, or even too big for their bed. A too big comforter can sometimes make it difficult to sleep because it curls up and causes discomfort. So size does matter.

The problem is that many mattresses no longer fit the standard sizes of Full, King, Queen etc. Many are non-standard, which makes choosing the comforter more difficult than you might think. The mattress may be thicker than normal. And that means the bedding might look like it will fit, but actually it doesn't. So the thing to remember is: measure you bed accurately before choosing a comforter. This will mean your comforter will fit, and you won't have to take to trouble of returning the comforter to the shop. This can be especially troublesome if you really like the comforter. So get out the tape measure before you buy!

The other thing to consider is the threads per inch of the comforter. This gives an indication of the quality of the comforter. If you want real quality, buy a comforter with a thread count above 250. These are soft and comfortable. Less than 200 is generally a bad idea.

But always remember that size really does matter. Too small a comforter and you have a bad nights sleep. Better to pay for the extra inches and sleep soundly!