The world of bed sheets is a dreamy one, filled with several options of plush fabrics in a variety of thread counts, weaves, and styles to carry you into sleeping bliss. However, with so many options, this simple decision can become more complicated than securing a fitted sheet to your mattress.
To purchase the best sheets for your bed, first, consider your comfort needs. Do you love to sink into warm, flannel layers, or do you prefer to sleep more lightly under a satin sheath?
No matter your preference, this sheet buying guide is designed to simplify your search for the perfect sheet with an in-depth look into thread count, weave, mattress size, and bedding.
Casper’s selection of dreamy bed sheets makes your search for new bedding easier than ever. Whether you want light, breathable sheets that will keep you cool or warm, cozy sheets, we have what you need.
When considering how to choose bed sheets, the material you pick may actually have a significant impact on your quality of sleep.
For example, a scratchy fabric like wool may have you dreaming of bed bugs, while a silk sheet can carry you into a deep and comfortable sleep. However, when it comes to the different types of sheets, four fabrics reign supreme in terms of comfort and durability:
Percale sheets are typically made from organic cotton threads woven in a tight pattern.1 They can also be made from other fibers, including:
People love percale sheets because of the crisp, light feeling they offer against their skin. Percale sheets are also:
If you’re searching for 100% organic cotton bedding, then you’ll want Casper’s percale sheet sets to keep you cool and comfortable as you sleep and away from harmful chemicals and pesticides.
Sateen sheets can also be made from many different woven materials. Cotton threads create the smoothest touch and will make you feel like you’re sleeping in a luxuriously soft bed. Sateen sheets like Casper’s offer many benefits, including:
Even better, the more you sleep on these sheets, the softer they get. To see how this type of sheet stacks up against percale sheets, check out our comparison of percale vs. sateen sheets.
As the temperatures drop outside, we seek cozy comfort inside. And nothing says warm and toasty quite like flannel. For the iciest of winter nights, you may want to wrap yourself in a thick flannel sheet.
If you’re worried about getting too hot at night when you cozy up with heavy bedding, there are options for maximum comfort. Look for flannel sheets, like Casper’s, that are made with 100% organic cotton in a smooth, satin weave. Its lightweight breathability will keep you warm throughout the night without the sweat. You won’t need to worry about turning up the heat.
Relatively new to the fabric world, TENCEL fibers are a material made from weaving sustainably sourced natural fibers, such as eucalyptus wood pulp. The result is a product that is:
If you’re a hot sleeper who needs sheets that allow for maximum airflow, then Casper’s cooling sheets, made of 100% TENCEL™ Lyocell, might be right for you.
There has been a lot of chatter surrounding thread count over the last decade. Often the conversation is framed to imply that a higher thread count means better sheets. But that’s not necessarily true.
Thread count refers to the number of threads in one square inch of fabric and indicates how soft the sheets will feel against your skin.2 To that end, the higher the thread count is, the softer your sheets will feel.
However, there’s no need to invest in sheets with extremely high counts since the difference in feel isn’t likely to be noticeable enough to justify the enormous price difference.
A simple breakdown of common thread counts includes:
To an extent, yes, thread count matters—you don’t want to feel like you’re sleeping between two sheets of sandpaper. In that case, what is the best thread count for sheets? if you’re looking for a comfortable and cheap option, 250 to 300 thread count sheets will do the trick.
In bed sheet terminology, weave refers to the texture of the sheets and can influence the wrinkle-resistance of your bedding. 3There are three types of weave styles to consider when learning how to choose sheets, including:
The next step to understanding how to buy sheets for your bed is to consider your preferences. Are you sweating through the night or do you shiver at the thought of getting out of bed? Do you prefer soft cotton or a satiny feel against your skin as you sleep?
When choosing your sheets, consider the following:
The correct bed sheet size is critical to the comfort of your sheets. You don’t want them to come loose and tangle around your legs while you sleep, but you also won’t want them to be so tight that every laundry day becomes a wrestling match with your bed.
There are two things you need to measure to ensure a proper sheet fit: the mattress size and depth.
The most common sheet sizes for mattresses include:5
These are standard mattress sizes. However, mattress depth has a wider variance and no set standard.
A mattress can range from 8 to 14 inches in depth. However, if you include a mattress topper you can add two to four inches of fluff to your mattress, which means you may need larger sized sheets.
As such, measure your mattress carefully to make sure you’re purchasing a sheet set that fits your bed properly.
Pillows are the plush cushions that cradle your head as you drift off into dreamland. As such, choosing the right size may affect how quickly you get there. Generally, pillows come in three bed-coordinating sizes:
If you’re purchasing a pillowcase separately from your sheets, you’ll want to buy a pair that fits your pillow size and matches the material, thread count, and weave of your sheets.
While sheets should provide comfort to your body, they should also be pleasing to the eye. Consider coordinating the color and pattern of your sheets with your bedroom aesthetic—are you aiming for a cool, airy suite or a cozy chamber with bold fabrics?
Some design aspects we love to see in sheet sets include:
Knowing how to buy bed sheets for an ideal sleeping experience is anything but a snore. In fact, deciding upon the correct material, thread count, weave, and size can catapult you into many nights of pleasant sleep. Deciding between linen vs. cotton sheets? Our team of experts are here to help.
At Casper, our number one goal is to elevate your sleeping experience. Our quality sheets and pillowcases are designed with your comfort in mind. We have a variety of styles and colors so you’re sure to find something to fall in love (and to sleep) with.
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