House Rules: Taking to the bed

According to those who know, type B flu has peaked. It is called type B because this year’s flu vaccine didn’t cover it, but the news that it is on the wane will be cold comfort to all those who succumbed. Real flu takes no prisoners, and once you get over the not-caring-about-anything stage, you can get pretty bored with your bedroom and resentful of the lumps in your previously adequate pillows.

So in the spirit of future planning, what do you need to take to your bed like a true Victorian and set yourself up for the next time you falter?

Decent sheets with a high thread count are an obvious start. Also, it’s obviously a matter of taste and usually a generational thing as to whether you’re the all-white type or have a predilection for patterns.

If you're not quite ready to splash out on a new mattress, a mattress topper (from €65 in Ikea, though do go for the best quality you can afford) is a great help – and support. However, the one thing that will make the world of difference when you're able to sit up and gaze blearily at your copy of The Irish Times is a set of enormous pillows.

Debenhams sells large, square feather and down pillows for €70 a pair, and they are brilliant for propping you up and helping you to feel, not only better, but more picturesque. For real luxury, take the idea of bed linen seriously with the softest of real linen pillowcases. The Vivaraise range starts at €29.95 for a pair of pillow covers at Avoca – and they are absolutely gorgeous. Or check out linenme.com for a greater range of colours under its own label; magically, they don’t need ironing.

When I was younger, my granny had a friend who had “taken to her bed”. We used to go to visit her, surrounded by cushions, throws and a range of what I now realise to be rather alarming soft toys. I thought she was the most glamorous person I had ever met.

I don’t quite see it like that these days, of course, but if there is one thing to be said for being ill, it’s those couple of days when you start to feel better, but you’re still not quite well enough to get up.