7 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Bedsheets

Did you know that roughly a third of your life is spent sleeping? 

With all that time spent in between your sheets, you might as well make the most of the experience. 

However, choosing bed sheets that you’ll love may seem like a daunting task because you’re confronted with so many options. Should you choose luxurious supima cotton sheets or cozy flannel? 

The answer is that it all depends on your budget, personal preferences, and what you need from your bedsheets. 

Learning about how the different fibers, threads, and weaves that go into bedsheets can change how they feel on your skin, how durable they are, and how well they insulate is a good place to start. 

Here are seven things you should consider before splurging on new bedsheets.  

1. Fiber Content

You can never go wrong with 100% cotton (usually labeled “American Upland”) – it’s soft and affordable. However, if you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious, look for bed sheets made from Extra-Long Staple (ELS) cotton. 

ELS cotton such as Egyptian and Pima (usually labeled as Supima, a trademark of the Supima association) is incredibly soft, durable, and produces a beautifully supple weave.

Flannel sheets (also known as brushed cotton) are made from cotton that has been brushed to fluff out the fibers – they make an extra-cozy choice for winter because they feel warm and slightly fuzzy against your skin. 

Linen sheets are a pricier choice than cotton sheets, but they are worth the investment because they are antimicrobial and can last for decades with proper care. Linen sheets are more breathable than cotton sheets, which make them a popular choice for warmer climates.

2. Thread Count

A sheet’s thread count is a number that ranges from 150-count to as much as 1,000 or more. Thread count refers to how many threads (horizontal and vertical) there are in one square inch of the sheet. The higher the thread count, the more expensive the sheet will be. 

Generally, sheets with a 200 thread count are a good standard. 

Sheets with higher thread counts feel softer because more threads provide more surface area for the fiber. Traditionally, sheets with a higher thread count were higher quality, however, many manufacturers have artificially raised the thread count in their sheets by double-twisting the yarns in cheaper fabrics – so going by thread count alone is no longer a good indication of quality. 

3. Weave

Oxford and percale labels on sheets refer to how the fabric is woven – each different weave has different characteristics, which makes sheets feel different to the touch. 

Percale is a lightweight, plain weave where the fibers have been woven together tightly. Percale sheets feel crisp, light, and cool to the touch. 

Oxford weave is usually used to make men’s dress shirts. Oxford sheets have double the threads running lengthways, making them extremely durable – they stand up to frequent washing very well. Oxford sheets feel soft, heavy, and crisp to the touch.

Other weaves include sateen, microfiber, pinpoint, and jersey, to name a few. 

4. Pattern

As with every element of furniture or fabric in your home, your bedsheets play a huge role in your overall décor. If you want to experiment with bold prints, try small, medium, and large scale patterns in the same color palette so that your décor doesn’t jar and clash. 

Bear in mind that it’s easier to change your bedsheets than it is to change an entire room.

5. Seasonality

Whether you like to change things up frequently or if you’re looking for something that will be comfortable year-round, however many sets of bed sheets you need is entirely up to you. 

You can buy cooler sheets for summer and warmer sheets for winter, or you can make lighter bed sheets work all year by adding a few blankets or a warm comforter – which is also a great way to instantly add texture and color to your bedroom.

6. Size

Always make sure you measure your bed before you buy bedsheets because standard sizes like single, double, queen, or king only account for the length and width of your bed, not the depth of your mattress. 

You should also take into account any potential shrinkage that may occur when you wash your sheets.

7. Return Policy

Always check the return policy of the store you buy your bed sheets from – it’s not easy to tell if you love the way they feel unless you’ve tried them out.