guide to the different types of bed sheets
the sleep summary
Bed sheets come in a range of styles and materials, including flat and fitted sheets, as well as in cotton, brushed cotton, Egyptian cotton, linen, silk and synthetic fibres. The best material to go for will depend on whether you’re a hot or cold sleeper, and your personal preferences. Cotton bed sheets are one of the most popular types due to their softness, breathability and durability, brushed cotton is great for feeling cosy, Egyptian cotton is a more luxurious option, silk is incredibly soft, linen is best if you want a more relaxed look and microfibre sheets are a more affordable option that are easy to wash and dry.
If you need a hypoallergenic bed sheet option, cotton, microfibre and silk are best for you.
Thread count is the number of threads woven into each square inch of fabric, but the higher the thread count doesn’t necessarily mean the better and a thread count between 200 and 800 is considered suitable for most people.
The softest bed sheets are those that are made from high-quality natural fabrics with a smooth weave such as Egyptian cotton, silk and brushed cotton.
Bed sheets come in a range of depths such as standard, deep and extra deep and it’s important you have the right size for your mattress. To find the right sheet depth, measure from the bottom of the mattress to the highest point of the mattress, including your mattress topper if you intend to leave it on underneath the sheet.
what are the different kinds of bed sheets?
There are a variety of types and materials of bed sheets that all offer different feels and levels of comfort. There’s flat and fitted sheets that come in materials like cotton, brushed cotton, Egyptian cotton, linen, silk and synthetic fibres such as polyester and microfibre.
what is the best material for bed sheets?
The best material for your bed sheets depends on your personal preferences and needs, including whether you’re a warm sleeper or you feel the cold, and what will suit your bedroom décor and personal style. Do you need something easy maintenance or do you have the time to give delicate bedding the care it needs? Below we’ve listed some of the different bed sheet materials and their benefits:
cotton bed sheets
One of the most popular choices thanks to its softness, breathability, and durability. Cotton sheets help to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, making them versatile for year-round use.
brushed cotton
Firstly, what is brushed cotton? It’s a cotton that’s treated with a brushing process using fine-toothed metal brushes to create a soft and fluffy texture. It’s loved because of its cosy and gentle feel against the skin and is very popular in winter as it’s so warm and snuggly. If you’re wondering what material is the softest for bed sheets, brushed cotton is up there with fleecy bedding sets.
Egyptian cotton
Egyptian cotton is a type of cotton that is (unsurprisingly) grown in Egypt. It’s known for its long staple fibres, which make the fabric soft, durable, and breathable. Egyptian cotton is highly regarded for its exceptional quality and luxurious feel, making it a popular choice for bedding. Typically, Egyptian cotton is more costly than other cotton bedding.
microfibre/polyester bed sheets
Synthetic fibres like polyester are commonly used for bed sheets as they’re affordable, wrinkle resistant, and have moisture wicking properties. But is polyester bedding good for you? This depends on your personal needs. Polyester bedding isn’t as cooling as fibres such as cotton, but if you’re looking for bed sheets for a spare room or you tend to feel the cold, polyester bedding might be the perfect choice as it’s affordable, durable and very easy to wash/dry.
linen bed sheets
Hailed for its natural texture and exceptional moisture-wicking properties, linen sheets are ideal for those who prefer a more relaxed and casual look, as they tend to have a slightly wrinkled appearance.
what is linen made from?
Linen is made from the fibres of the flax plant. The process starts by harvesting the flax plant, then soaking the stems, which separates the fibres. Next, the fibres are spun into thread and woven into fabric which has a natural coolness and raw, natural aesthetic.
silk bed sheets
Silk is incredibly soft and smooth, offering a cool and comfortable sleeping experience. However, silk bed sheets may require more delicate care and due to the long and expensive creation process, are generally more expensive.
hypoallergenic bed sheets options
If you’re looking for hypoallergenic bed sheets, we’d recommend going for cotton, microfibre or silk.
Cotton is natural, breathable and easy to wash at high temperatures which can help remove allergens.
The tightly woven fibres of microfibre can help reduce the build-up of dust mites, and it’s also easy to wash and maintain.
Silk is naturally smooth and tightly woven, although this is a more delicate material and usually needs gentler washing.
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what is bed sheet thread count?
Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into each square inch of fabric. While it may seem like a higher thread count indicates better quality, this might just mean finer yarns, as you can get more thinner yarns per square inch than you can thicker yarns.
what is the best thread count for sheets?
A thread count between 200 and 800 is considered suitable for most people. Sheets with a thread count below 200 may feel rough and less durable, while those with a thread count above 800 may not necessarily provide much added benefit in terms of comfort, as you also have to consider the quality of the threads, the fabric and weave too. A higher thread count doesn’t automatically mean better quality.
finding the perfect bed sheets for you
Like any other element of your bed setup, finding the perfect bedding is all about understanding how you sleep. We've gathered some bed sheet recommendations designed to suit some common sleep situations.
what are the softest bed sheets?
If softness is high on your priority list, the softest sheets are those that are made from high-quality natural fabrics with a smooth weave. We’d recommend going for:
Egyptian cotton – it has long, fine fibres which can create exceptionally smooth and soft sheets
Silk – a smooth and luxurious option, but requires gentler washing
Brushed cotton – soft and cosy and a great choice for the colder months
what are the best bed sheets for hot sleepers?
Lightweight, breathable and moisture wicking sheets are best as they'll help air circulate around your body and prevent heat and sweat becoming trapped. Linen is a great choice thanks to its naturally airy, loose weave, and as previously mentioned, cotton is naturally cooling.
what is the warmest bedding for winter?
For ultimate comfort and cosiness, we love brushed cotton and teddy fleece bedding sets. Combined with a feather down duvet, you’ll be so cosy and warm you’ll never want to leave your bed. Brushed cotton and fleece are known for their incredible insulation properties, trapping body heat to provide cosiness throughout the night. Paired with a heavyweight down duvet, you'll achieve a perfect balance of warmth and comfort. Down duvets are filled with the soft and fluffy insulating feathers of ducks or geese, providing excellent thermal insulation. Enhance the warmth levels with an electric blanket and slide into total bliss night after night. It’s enough to make you look forward to winter!
fitted vs flat bed sheets
A fitted sheet has elastic corners that wrap securely around the mattress which helps it stay in place, whereas a flat sheet is a simple piece of fabric that is used as an additional layer between you and your duvet. Flat sheets can be used instead of a fitted sheet, but fitted sheets tend to be more convenient as they stay in place.
Pros | Cons | |
Fitted Sheets | Stay securely in place Easy to put on the mattress Available in different depths Gives the bed a neat appearance | Can be fiddly to fold and store away Can sometimes be tricky to find the right size if you have a particularly deep mattress Less versatile than a flat sheet |
Flat Sheets | Can be used as a lightweight layer during the warmer months Provides a barrier between you and your duvet, helping to keep it cleaner Easy to fold and store away Versatile Don’t require a specific depth | Can become untucked or move around Takes longer to make your bed neatly Some dislike having the extra layer Extra bedding to wash and change |
bed sheet depth
Bed sheet depth is important when choosing a fitted sheet to make sure it fits securely around your mattress and doesn’t bunch up or slip off.
Fitted sheets are usually available in different depth ranges, such as:
Standard depth: Usually suitable for mattresses around 20–30cm deep.
Deep fitted sheets: Designed for mattresses around 30–40cm deep.
Extra-deep sheets: Made for particularly thick mattresses or mattresses with a topper, often 40cm+.
Exact measurements will vary between manufacturers, so it’s always work checking the products dimensions before purchasing.
how do you measure mattress depth?
To find the right sheet depth, measure from the bottom of the mattress to the highest point of the mattress, including any mattress topper if you intend to leave it on underneath the sheet.
It's also worth allowing a little extra room. A fitted sheet that's slightly deeper than your mattress is generally easier to put on and should stay securely in place. If it's too shallow, the corners may pop off, or the sheet may pull up during the night.
what happens if your fitted sheet is too deep or too shallow?
A sheet that's too shallow may struggle to reach underneath the mattress, causing the corners to come loose or the sheet to ride up.
A sheet that's too deep can leave excess fabric around the sides, which may cause bunching.
Top tip: If you have a mattress topper, remember to include its depth when measuring. A fitted sheet that fits your mattress perfectly on its own may not be deep enough once a thick topper is added.
caring for your bed sheets
Taking good care of your bed sheets can help keep them fresh, comfortable and in good condition for longer so you can continue sleeping peacefully.
As a general rule, sheets should be washed once a week, although you may need to wash them more often if you sweat heavily, have allergies or sleep with pets. Always check the care label before washing, as different materials have different requirements, and avoid using excessive detergent or heat where possible.
Air drying your bed sheets can help protect the fibres and always make sure they’re completely dry before being folded and stored away. With the right care, quality bed sheets can stay soft and comfortable for a long time.
