Bed sheet buying rules: 5 things you need to know

The right set of bed sheets can improve your sleep and instantly elevate the look and feel of your bedroom. The best bed sheets should regulate your temperature, feel soft against your skin, and wash well to withstand the wear and tear of long-term use.

You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.

I've tested cooling cotton percale sheets for warmer weather, silky cotton sateen sheets for sensitive sleepers, and bamboo bed sheets for eco-conscious shoppers. There's also linen, hemp, eucalyptus: the list goes on. With so many bed sheet types on the market, it's easy to feel spoiled for choice. 

That's where I come in. As the resident Sleep Editor here at Homes & Gardens, I lead a team of expert testers in the search to find the world's best bed sheets. Along the way, I've tested sheet sets from all the best places to buy bedding, including local home retailers, specialist sleep stores, and luxury design houses.

My bed sheet buying rules – from a professional product tester

For every great sheet set I test, I come across a few duds. Often, it's the cheap sheet sets, made from polyester or microfiber, that trap heat and pill in the wash. That's why I want to share my bed sheet buying rules with you: so that you aren't taken in by a good price on a poor product.

1. Select the right size

It might sound obvious, but it bears repeating: you should only shop for bed sheets that would fit your current mattress. There's no point snapping up a deal on twin-sized bedding if you sleep in a California King. 

The depth of your sheets is also extremely important. We've all been there: you've triple-checked the care tag, you're certain that you've bought the right size, but your sheets still aren't staying on the bed.  The problem might have something to do with the pockets. In my time as a sleep editor, I've come across sheets that are too big, too small, too thick, too thin to stay on the bed. One of my best tips is to measure the depth of your mattress, as some are much taller than others. 

If you've been burned before, and you're keen to buy sheets that stay on the bed no matter what, you should try to find a fitted sheet with enhanced elastic for a secure fit. Thicker mattresses require stronger fitted sheets with deeper pockets. 

Type 'sheets that stay on the bed' into your search engine, and you're unlikely to yield many results. That's why I've rounded up a few of my favorite fitted sheets at the fairest prices you'll find online. I've called in each of these sheet tests for review, and I'm already impressed with their snug, secure fit. 

2. Material differences

If you've ever tried to shop for sheets, whether in-store or online, you'll know that there is a wide range of bed sheet types. To the untrained eye, many materials look and feel pretty similar. Luckily, I'm here to break down the bedding buzzwords. 

Cotton is one of the most common materials for bed sheets. You can weave cotton in a few different ways. Cotton percale is crisp and cool, with plenty of interlacings to boost breathability. I'd recommend cotton percale for hot sleepers and warmer climates. Then, there's smooth cotton sateen. Tightly woven for warmth, these sheets are ideal for cool sleepers and colder weather. Because of its silky soft surface, I'd recommend cotton sateen for sleepers with sensitive skin. 

Cotton might be the most popular material for bed sheets, but there's something out there for every sleeper. The best linen sheets are ultra durable to withstand the wear and tear of nightly use and regular washing, though breathable bamboo might be better for eco-conscious shoppers. Organic materials, such as eucalyptus or hemp, are naturally moisture-wicking and antimicrobial to bust the bacteria that breeds in warm, damp environments, such as bedrooms.

Word to the wise: avoid polyester. It traps heat, feels cheap, and pills at the drop of a hat. It's also terrible for the environment, as it's made from non-renewable resources and its production emits all sorts of greenhouse gases. Polyester would be, by far, the worst bed sheet material to choose. 

3. Pick your palette

White sheets are a classic for a reason. A set of the best white bed sheets would complement any bedroom color palette, though they'll quickly show any stains or smudges.

If you're shopping for brightly colored bed sheets, you'll find a lot to like at Bed Threads. There, you can build your own bedding bundle, mixing and matching between earth tones, cool colors, and bold dues to create bespoke bed sheets. 

Perhaps you'd prefer to play with pattern. Subtle stripes and gingham prints abound at Piglet in Bed. Their bright bed linen would really pop against plain white walls, though it could easily integrate with colorful bedroom decor. For bolder, botanical prints, try Matouk. These stylish sheets won't come cheap, but they would make a serious statement in a master bedroom.

4. Set your budget

As a sleep editor and a shopping writer, I'm often asked: 'how much should I spend on sheets?'. It's a difficult question to answer without knowing the specifics of your financial situation or sleep style.

Personally, I'd never spend less than $50 on bedding. That's the lowest amount you could pay to get durable sheets to withstand nightly wear and tear. On the other hand, I couldn't afford to drop $1,000 on a set of sheets. You could easily spend that kind of money at luxury design houses. I usually shop at specialist sleep stores, instead, to ensure I'm paying for premium products, not a brand name. I recommend you set your own minimum and maximum limit before you start to shop.

If you're tight on time and money, you could narrow your search to the best affordable bed sheets. These sheets might not look or feel quite as premium, but they should regulate your temperature and fit your mattress, which are, really, the most important aspects. You could score a deep discount when you shop the bedding sales.

5. Shop sustainably

If you're paying big money for bed sheets, you want to find something that will last. The last thing you want is to buy a set of cheap sheets that need replacing after a year or two. You're looking for durable sheets that stand up to long-term use, ideally made from sustainable materials.

I tend to recommend that eco-conscious shoppers opt for bamboo bedding. According to ettitude, bamboo is the fastest-growing plant on the planet, growing at three times the rate that we can harvest it, so there's no danger of depleting natural resources. If you don't like the slippery softness of bamboo lyocell, you might prefer something stronger, such as organic hemp or eucalyptus. 

Sustainable shopping is more than a matter of materials. You might prefer to shop at a store that outlines its manufacturing process for maximum transparency. When you shop at Woolroom, for example, you can identify the exact sheep whose wool was shorn to make your bedding. It's always nice to know where your stuff comes from and should help you to shop more consciously. 

There's so much bargain bedding to buy in the Presidents' Day sales. If you want to avoid buyer's remorse, I'd urge you to slow down while you shop and stop to think about what you really want and need from your sheets. The last thing you want is to make any of the most common bedding mistakes.

It's been proven that the comfortable feel of fresh sheets and bedding has a huge impact on sleep quality and how much Americans are able to relax in their bedroom. That's why it's important not to grab the first set off the shelf and make do.

Instead, you should consider a few different things before choosing a bedding set — like what matches your bedroom's aesthetic and which material you feel is the most comfortable.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from Huayan.

If you're not sure where to start, here's everything you need to think about when looking at bedding sets.

1. The Color and Pattern

The color will be the first thing that draws your eyes to a bed set, and there's nothing wrong with that. Bed sets not only need to feel good, but they need to look good too.

First, you should consider the color of your bedroom and what will match. If your bedroom is darker-toned, a black bedroom set might be the best idea for you. 

If you prefer a fresh, crisp appearance, then you might be better off going with white.

You should also consider the cleanliness factor, though — for example, if you have a white dog who often lounges on your bed and sheds all over the place, maybe black isn't the best idea!

The pattern is also important. If you prefer solid colors and your bedroom has a very minimalist feel, it's probably a good idea for the bed set to be a solid color as well. However, if you've mixed some different patterns in with your decorating, then you might want to choose something a little bolder.

It all comes down to your personal tastes and what fits the room you've created. You could even use the bed sheets as the accent color themselves, adding a bit of brightness to the room.

2. The Size

Bed sets aren't usually one-size-fits-all. You should be aware of what kind of bed you have before you go and purchase a set, to make sure it's the best possible fit.

For example, for a king bed, you need to choose specific king bedding sets. If you don't, then the set you have will be much too small.

If you have a smaller bed, don't buy a bigger set thinking it'll do. While it will at least cover the whole bed, it'll look off, and you won't get that smooth effect when the bedding set fits just right.

There should be no need to take measurements, as long as you know what kind of bed you have.

3. The Material

The material may just be the most important thing about your bed set, as it determines how comfortable you have and how long the set will last.

Linen, cotton, and silk are among the most common types, and which is right for you will depend on what you're looking for in a bed. Cotton is cozy and comfortable, whereas something like silk is good for sensitive skin. Silk pillowcases are great on damaged hair, as there's no friction to rub up against it.

You should also consider the temperature in your bedroom. If your bedroom is usually hot, silk sheets might be a better idea than cotton as they're cooler on the skin. 

It's also important to consider the temperature when you're thinking about layers. While many people choose a bedding set that just has one layer of sheets or blanket above them, others choose multiple. 

4. The Style

You also need to consider the style of the bedding set. In the US, it's most common for people to sleep with sheets and blankets, but some people prefer a duvet which is much thicker and usually requires a cover over it.

58.3% of Americans use comforters, which also tend to be very cozy.

Which is best for you comes down to a few factors:

• The current season — it might be a good idea to change them out over the course of the year
• How hot or cold you run
• How hot or cold the room is

There's no right or wrong answer to the style of your bed set, but it's good to have an idea of what you want before you go ahead and make a purchase.

5. Your Sleeping Partner

If anyone else sleeps in the bed with you, it's good to take their preferences into consideration. Have a conversation before you go out and purchase a bed set, and this will really help narrow when what will work for you.

If you do have different preferences and can't come to a compromise, consider sleeping with separate blankets or comforters! This lets you both share a bed set and stay intimate with each other without compromising your sleep quality and comfort.

Though when it comes to materials on the sheets and the mattress itself, you'll likely have to get on the same page.

This Is How to Choose the Perfect Bedding Set

If you consider all of these things, you'll find the perfect bedding set. Make sure to think about the aesthetic of the room and what will match, the style of bed set, the material, and what your sleeping partner would enjoy. That way, you can land on a decision you won't regret.

Don't forget, your bedding set is very important to your sleep quality and, therefore, your quality of life.

The company is the world’s best Bedding Sets supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.