Few things are more dear to our heart than sliding into a deep sleep under luxurious, soft bed sheets that embrace us throughout the long night. Not surprisingly, you'll have to spend a few extra coins to get the best. Given the frequent and convincing case made by health experts in recent years about the importance of sleep on our health and general sense of well-being, consumers are responding by opening their wallets with a new appreciation for the connection between quality sheets and a good night's sleep.
Popular fabric choices for bedding are cotton, bamboo, silk and linen. While there are pros and cons for each, consumers must be willing to pay more for luxury sheets of any fabric type. Consumers have been taught to check the thread count as one way to discern quality, with a preference for a higher thread count being advisable. Typically, a thread count of 200 to 800 will suffice for most consumers. Selecting a brand known for producing superior sheets might be as important as checking the thread count. Luxury brands typically use tough quality control standards.
1 - Percale Cotton
It's hard to beat the crisp feel of breathable cotton when it's time to retire to the comfort of bed. While new arrivals like bamboo have grown in popularity, consumers still embrace cotton sheets as a traditional and comfortable fabric synonymous with a restful sleep.
One of the major benefits of cotton sheets is that they provide the cool surface that most people want on most days. Additionally, they are also versatile enough to combine well with warm blankets to adjust to cold nights.
Granted, there are cheaper alternatives. But, after factoring in the cool sleep that these sheets offer and the soft matte finish, the $50 to $150 price tag associated with a quality queen set of percale sheets is well worth the expense.
2 - Bamboo
As a relatively new arrival on the bedding scene, bamboo has become quite popular as a fabric of choice for sophisticated consumers. The reasons bamboo sheets are sought after are many. While many consumers are put off by the expense of bamboo sheets, the fact that these sheets are naturally hypoallergenic and extremely soft convinces many people to give them a try.
Bamboo sheets rival the softest bedding fabrics and are often viewed as even softer than cotton sheets. That opinion means something since prior to the introduction of bamboo sheets, bedding snobs often touted the superiority of cotton's soft feel over other competitor sheet fabrics. Another contributing factor that positively impacts bamboo's reputation is that it is breathable. What that means is that bamboo sheets don't trap heat, leaving you cool even during summer months.
Any discussion about preferred sheet choices would not be complete without considering durability. Since bamboo is stretched out over the entire sheet as compared to other fabrics that are composed of short fibers woven together, bamboo sheets are stronger and less likely to tear.
3 - Silk
Often associated with luxury, silk sheets have long been considered to be a superior sheet option. This strong and breathable fabric keeps the bed cool in the summer and warm in the winter. As the value of a good night's sleep is continuously touted for good health, consumers are willing to pay more for quality sheets. By its very nature, silk drapes well and does not encourage static cling. Many consumers appreciate the natural sheen of silk as a preferable quality that elevates this fabric above all others.
4 - Linen
The flax fibers used to produce linen sheets are especially durable. Linen actually gets softer with use. Given the longer life of linen sheets, the larger upfront cost is still justified. Scandinavians often pass linen duvets from generation to generation to get the most out of this luxury fabric. Known as a porous material, linen redirects body heat, cooling your skin during hot summer months. Conversely, linen holds onto heat during cold winter months. Drafts can't penetrate linen sheets.
