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by Chandler Warnick
Your bedding makes a big difference in the quality of your sleep, and sheets make a big difference in the quality of your bedding. Nothing is as beneficial to your health as a good night's rest, and a fine sheet set on your bed can make all the difference. Today, you can buy sheets in a greater number of different fabrics, colors and sizes than ever before, meaning that it's easier than ever to find sheets that fit your taste and match your bedding perfectly. It also means that doing a little homework can be very helpful when you're shopping for sheets and sheet sets. This sheets buying guide has been created to provide you information on how to buy sheets and choose the right bedding for your needs.
Material: While cotton is still king in the world of sheets, that doesn't mean there aren't other options. Nowadays, sheets come in a variety of different materials, from cotton sateen weaves to synthetic microfleece fabrics. If you want a set of cozy sheets for the winter, a couple great options are cotton flannel sheets and synthetic microfiber fleece sheets, both of which have a soft, fuzzy finish designed to keep you warm at night. If you want something extra luxurious, take a look at synthetic satin sheets or cotton sateen sheets. Each of these fabrics has a silky, glossy finish that looks and feels wonderful. If you want cotton sheets that are a step up from the norm, you can find high-quality Egyptian cotton sheets, high thread count sheets made from cotton, cotton damask sheets and even eco-friendly organic cotton sheets.
Size: It barely needs mentioning that sheets and sheet sets come in the usual twin, full, queen and king sizes. However, there are a few exceptions to the sizing norm. If you have a pillow-top mattress, you will probably want to buy deep-pocket sheets. Deep-pocket sheets are fitted sheets with extra deep corners designed to fit over extra-thick pillow-top mattresses. If you have a California king-size mattress, which is larger than a standard king mattress, keep your eye out for California king-size sheets, since standard king-size sheets might not fit your bed.
Thread count: Thread count is the total number threads that run horizontally and vertically in a square inch of fabric. A higher thread count indicates a tighter weave and lends softness and durability to the material. A thread count of at least 200 makes a wonderful, long lasting sheet. Sheets with a thread count of 300-400 are a little nicer yet still affordable. 400-900 thread count sheets may cost a little more, but if it is softness you want, these sheets are wonderful. Thread counts of 1000 or more make very soft and smooth sheets, the height of luxury; however, the finer threads necessary to achieve this high thread count often make these types of sheets less durable.
Weave: Weave creates the texture of the fabric and affects the look and feel of the sheets. Sheets are usually made from either percale weave fabrics or sateen weave fabrics. Percale sheets are woven closely in a kind of basket weave and have no gloss, creating smooth-textured sheets. Sateen sheets are woven with more fibers on the fabric surface, creating a luster like that of satin sheets.
Colors and patterns: There is nothing wrong with white. White is a great color and is, obviously, the most common sheet color out there. However, if you're never considered buying sheets in any other color or pattern, you should give it some thought. Buying sheets in a color that matches the decor of your room can make a big difference in the aesthetic appeal of your bedding, and there aren't many reasons why you shouldn't buy colored sheets. Nowadays, a decent online retailer usually offers sheets in a wide variety of colors and even patterns, so it's easy to find just what you're looking for.
Sets or individuals: Buying sheet sets and buying sheets individually both have advantages. One advantage of buying a sheet set is that it saves money. Like most things that you buy in a set, you usually pay less for a sheet set than you do for the same items purchased individually. Also, when you buy sheets in a set, you don't have to spend time finding matching items. However, buying sheets, pillowcases and fitted sheets separately often allows you to individualize your bedding. For example, buying items separately is a wise choice if you want to buy a top sheet and a fitted sheet in complementary colors.
