BOSTON - October 25, 2005 - Daylight savings time ends Sunday, October 30th and with it comes the unofficial beginning of the winter season: the time of year when people want to stay under the covers in their nice, cozy bed just a little bit longer. So why not make it all it can be?

For people who are looking to ensconce themselves in luxury, but don't want to spend a lot to get the best thread counts, featherbeds and duvets, their worries are over. SmartBargains, Inc. a leading online, off-price retailer, has teamed up with TLC's Trading Spaces designer Laurie Smith to offer tips on shopping for the best bedding buys to design a dream bed.

What Do You Need? What Should You Spend? With all the choices out there today, it's not surprising that a lot of people are overwhelmed. But, there are some simple things that every savvy shopper should know.

"Designing a dream bed involves much more than simply picking out the right colors. There is such a variety of choices when it comes to bedding that it's easy to be overwhelmed," says Smith. "With a few pointers, anyone can re-design their bed into the ultimate sensory experience without breaking the bank."

Quality Counts. Shopping for sheets online is not only economical, it's easy because quality is assured by thread count-the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. For those who prefer a soft, durable and heavy sheet, look to purchase 1,200 thread count sheets. For a lighter, comfortable feel, try a 600 thread count. Luxurious 600 thread count sheets can cost as much as $400 in department stores but can be found at SmartBargains.com for as little as $80.

Size Matters. It's important to buy sheets that fit the size of your bed. Today's mattresses tend to be thicker, and many sheets are now designed to accommodate this. Measure your bed before selecting sheets to make sure you're getting the best fit. Fitted sheets that have elastic going all the way around are the best choice since they fit snugly over your mattress and don't move around when you toss and turn at night. They can be a bit more expensive in traditional retail stores, but SmartBargains.com offers the same quality at up to 75% off.

Feather Your Nest. Featherbeds, which are placed on top of the mattress either above or below the fitted sheet, offer supreme comfort and warmth and an unparalleled layer of comfort by cushioning and cradling your body. Most featherbeds are filled with a blend of white goose feathers and down. A high-thread count cotton cover is essential for keeping the feathers inside the featherbed, so look for a 200 thread count or higher. If you are allergic to feathers, look for a polyester microgel, a state-of-the-art alternative to down, which feels as light, lofty, and warm as the real thing.

Pick a Pillow. Choosing a pillow is as personal as choosing a perfume. Nothing is right or wrong; it is simply your preference. Consider size, firmness and fillings. You may want a firmer pillow if you sleep on your side and a flatter, softer one if you sleep on your stomach. Take the time and make the right choice for your best sleep.

Dive into Duvets. The duvet will likely be one of the most noticeable things in your bedroom, so it should coordinate with your décor. Along with color and style, be conscious of quality. As with sheets, fiber composition (cotton or cotton-poly blend) and thread count are the best measures. Look for a high thread count and high cotton content.

Coordinate Colors. Color is the most noticeable change you can make to your bedding, but it's also the last thing you should tackle-after you've decided the type of bedding that's right for you. For inspiration, climb into bed and look around your room as you shop online. Identify some fabric, a rug, or a painting-something you're in love with, and then let that object influence the colors you choose for bedding. Color trends this fall are brown and robin's egg blue either combined or by themselves. Shades of coral and turquoise also work well together. Also popular are duvets in bold colorful prints in both florals and geometrics.

Add layers of duvets, blankets and a quilt and throw in contrasting colors for a more dramatic effect.

If You Can't Buy It, Win It! Feeling lucky? Online from October 21 through November 20, shoppers can enter to win their own dream bed-complete with luxury 600 thread count Grand Hotel bedding, white goose down pillows and comforter set, Egyptian cotton bath ensemble, sumptuous Anichini robes and more-at a total retail value of $9,000. SmartBargains.com will also be giving away six luxury bedding packages with a retail value of $1,800 each.

To enter SmartBargains.com's Fall Back into Bed Sweepstakes, or for more information about thread count, sheet fit, duvet covers, pillows and featherbeds, log on to www.smartbargains.com.

About Laurie Smith Laurie Smith was the one of the first designers to hit the airwaves on TLC's breakout hit show Trading Spaces. She received her Bachelors Degree from SMU in Dallas, and attended the New York School of Interior Design. Self described as a "modern classic," Laurie uses color and vibrancy to create new spaces and always does so with style and passion. She lives in Jackson, Mississippi with her husband and son. Her new book, Discovering Home: Find Your Personal Style, is available now.

About SmartBargains.com Since 2000, SmartBargains has reached millions of consumers with its superior quality goods and top brands at up to 70% off retail value. SmartBargains provides its customers the very best in apparel, electronics, jewelry, home goods, and much more. Visit www.SmartBargains.com for more information and a complete product selection.