Law #5: CHOOSE SHEETS THAT FIT YOU AND YOUR LIFESTYLE
Many factors influence your sleep, not least of which is your bedding. Often, the focus is on choosing the perfect mattress, but a good mattress won’t save the day (or, should we say, night!) without a good set of sheets. Picking the best sheets for you has a lot to do with your sleeping patterns, budget, lifestyle, and environment. Learn the types of sheets available and how to pick the best ones to have the best night of sleep possible.
Sheets. Three basic sheets make the foundation for a good bedding set.
Fitted sheet. This sheet is the first layer of bedding and includes an elastic band around the edges to help it fit snugly on top of your mattress. If you use a mattress protector, the fitted sheet goes on top. Make sure to tuck all the corners of the fitted sheet around the mattress when you make your bed to achieve a crisp, flat, clean look.
Flat sheet. Sometimes called a top sheet, the flat sheet goes on top of the fitted sheet and often has a decorative trim at the head of the sheet, which goes toward the head of the bed. You should tuck the flat sheet into the sides and foot of the bed, but leave the top untucked so that you can fold it back to make room for pillows. Your flat sheet will give you a light layer of warmth.
Pillowcases. These cases protect your pillows from wear and tear and make it easier to keep the surface where you lay your head clean, as they are easier to remove and wash than laundering the whole pilot. Pillowcases typically match the fitted and flat sheets, but you could also get creative and switch up the pillowcases to create a unique accent. Twin-sized beds usually have one pillow, while larger beds have two.
Options for picking sheets:
Material. You have options when choosing sheets, not least of which is the type of material. One hundred percent Egyptian cotton is a gold standard for durable comfort, while cotton blended with polyester will offer a more wrinkle-resistant look that may feel easier to manage to some. The cotton used to make sheets is usually woven in one of two distinct ways: (1) percale is a plain weave where a warp thread is laid over a weft thread to give sheets a matte look, while (2) sateen weave has 3-4 warp threads over a weft thread, creating more of a sheen look. Percale sheets feel cooler to the touch and may be better for warmer weather, while sateen sheets are silkier and retain more heat, which may sleep better in the winter. Here’s an excellent guide for a breakdown of different types of sheets, including cotton, bamboo, polyester, linen, Tencel, silk, microfiber, and satin.
Thread count. Often thought of as the standard for evaluating sheets, thread count measures the number of threads woven into a square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the softener the sheet will feel.
Size. The size of your mattress dictates the size requirements for your sheets. Sizes range from twin to California king. Here’s an excellent guide for determining mattress sizes.
Color. Quite self-explanatory, you get to express your creativity through the colors you choose. Color may also impact your mood and feelings as you dive into bed. If color motivates you, pick options that soothe and calm you.
Cover options
Quilt. Perfect for colder months, a quilt is made by stitching together a top sheet, a middle layer called batting, and a bottom sheet. Adding a quilt to a comforter or duvet will offer tremendous warmth. A central part of the design for a quilt is typically the exposed stitching, which can show off gorgeous, fancy patterns.
Comforter. Comforters are quilted, fluffy blankets made of two pieces of breathable fabric filled with down or synthetic fibers. Often the heaviest part of bedding, comforters offer a lot of warmth.
Duvet with a cover. Duvets are made of two soft, flat pieces of fabric stitched together with a filling of down or synthetic fibers. When filled with down, they are called down duvets; when filled with synthetic fibers, they are called down alternative duvets. A duvet is typically covered with a sheet-like cover to keep them clean, with many options for color and pattern that you can change up as often as you like. Some people remove the top sheet from their bedding mix when using a duvet with a cover.
Bedspread. Also called a coverlet, a bedspread is an extra layer used for decoration, warmth, and often both. Bedspreads don’t typically extend beyond the corners of your bed, so they usually just go on top of your comforter or duvet. This piece works well in colder climates or seasons; however, some use this as the main cover for bedding in warmer temperatures in place of other cover options.
Blanket. Similar to bedspreads, blankets are typically used in addition to a duvet. Before the advent and ubiquity of centrally heated homes, blankets were primarily used for temperature control, allowing people to add layers they could remove as needed to achieve the perfect temperature. These days, blankets are more common for design elements.
Decor options
Shams. Like standard pillowcases, shams are designed to cover a pillow but are designed to be more decorative and fully encapsulate a pillow (unlike pillowcases, which open at one end). A sham's more polished look makes it a perfect decorative element to set atop your carefully curated bedding.
Accent pillows. An accent pillow it’s also for decoration, but unlike a sham, it is often pre-filled with down or synthetic fibers rather than needing to be filled by a pillow. Accent pillows come in many different shapes and sizes, for instance, a throw, lumbar, Euro, or bolster.
Sleeping pillows. The pillows you use to support your body, typically your head, neck, and back, are some of the most important parts of your bedding. They play a critical role in sleep quality, and choosing the best type of pillow for your body composition and sleeping habits is important. Beds larger than a twin size typically have two pillows, and the size of pillows naturally increases depending on the size of your bed. For instance, a king-sized bed will typically boast king-sized bed pillows. Here are some options for personalizing your pillow selection to support sleeping on your back, side, or stomach. Also, here is a guide to help with pillow selection. Whatever type of pillows you choose, follow the manufacturer's suggested guidelines for replacing, storing, and cleaning your pillows. Most will start to deteriorate in 12 to 18 months and should be replaced.
Get multiple sets if you can. Multiple bedding sets will allow you to change your sheets regularly without inconvenience. At least one extra set will allow you to swap sheets out in an emergency.
Wash regularly. Make sure you clean your sheets regularly and appropriately. Often, you can wash most of your bedding at home. If you’ve opted for a cover with a duvet, you can remove the duvet cover and wash that. Some items may require professional cleaning, costing you a bit more money, but it’s worth sleeping on clean, fresh bedding. Wash bedding at least every two weeks and more often, depending on your bedroom activities and how much you sweat in bed. Appropriately caring for your bedding will extend its life and keep you from replacing sheets frequently. Use a mild detergent with lukewarm or cool water without bleach for your cotton fabrics. Fabric softeners are also unnecessary for cotton since it releases oil, and your sheets will soften naturally with regular laundering. Be careful not to over-dry sheets since it can cause them to wrinkle or, even worse, become brittle over time. Reduce your dryer’s temperature, remove them just as they are almost fully dried, and let the open air do the rest.
Change sheets seasonally. If changing your bedding based on the season sounds too fancy, think again. Different types of sheets and covers for different seasons could be a great way to ensure that your body is comfortable based on environmental changes. If you are sensitive to weather changes, especially if you don’t have central heating and air, changing your sheets could make or break your sleeping patterns in different seasons. For instance, if you live in an area where the weather gets warm in the summer but swings a lot cooler in the winter, you could benefit from a lighter set of sheets in the summer and a heavier set in the winter.
Be careful how you store them. Store your bedding in a dry, cool spot in your closet or drawer, but avoid packing them in plastic bags or containers to protect against trapping moisture that leads to mildew.
Pillows rule. A good pillow can make or break your sleep. But what is a good pillow for you? Much of that choice concerns what is best for your body and sleeping patterns, so do the work to figure out what pillow is best for your sleeping habits.
“Nothing makes you feel better than when you get into a hotel bed, and the sheets feel so good. Why shouldn't you wake up like that every day? Spend money on your mattress and bedding because these things make a difference on your sleep and, ultimately, your happiness.”
- Bobby Berk
“I’m surprised I haven't gone through with a homeware brand. The bedding, the comforters, the candles, the this and that. I would like to design everything.”
- Lisa Vanderpump
“My bedspread isn't washable. Since my bedding has to be washed every day, I'll have to throw it out.”
- April Winchell
“I try to apply the organic concept to my clothes and bedding as well. There's nothing like swimming in organic cotton sheets.”
- Woody Harrelson
“In a small space, you want to keep the bedding as simple as possible so it looks clean, calm and collected.”
- Nate Berkus
Bedding matters so much to me. I’m not quite like the princess from "The Princess and the Pea," but small changes in bedding do make a big difference for me. A quality thread count, an excellent duvet cover, and the right duvet insert for the season make all the difference. Living in Los Angeles, the weather is often lovely, but no matter the season, I love to chill my top floor to about 68° and then crawl under super comfy, warm bedding for a good night's sleep. Anything less than a semi-firm down pillow just feels like mush under my head, and I can’t sleep well on it.
Some of you may live in a situation where you don’t choose your own sheets. For instance, if you’re in the military, bedding selection may not be a thing for you right now. But if you are the person who invests in your bedding, it’s wise to explore your options to select the best fit for your needs.