Nile egyptian cotton sheets and pillowcases on bed

Sheet Buying Guide

How to Choose the Best Sheets for You

When it is time to buy new luxury sheets, it really can be quite overwhelming to choose the best type for your bedroom. From selecting a thread count and knowing the difference between linen and cotton, to choosing the right fabric and buying sets and single pieces – there is a lot more to the world of luxury sheets than just bed size.

When trying to choose the best type of sheets to buy for your home, it is a good idea to learn a little bit about the different types of sheets available, how to choose sheets that best suit your needs, and the best type of sheets to buy. Our Bed Sheet Buying Guide is here to help with information, tips, and suggestions to assist you in finding the best type of sheets for you.

How to Buy Sheets

Bed Sheet Buying Guide:

The first step to understanding some basics about luxury bedding is to learn more about the different types of fabrics and weaves that are available. Once you know about your options for different types of materials for sheets, you can better make a choice about the best type of sheets to purchase for your home.

What Sheet Material is the Best?

One of the most popular fabrics for luxury sheets is cotton. Not only is it super soft and comfortable, but it is also very durable and offers great breathability. The best quality luxury sheets are made from cotton with long-staple fibers that are spun into high-quality, fine yarns.

You may have heard terms like percale and sateen, which are both used to describe how the fabric for the cotton sheets is woven. However, you may not be familiar with the features of each as well as the differences.

Linen is another popular fabric choice for luxury bed sheets. Breathable, natural linen bedding exudes laid-back luxury and is an excellent choice for warmer climates due to its natural wicking qualities.

The natural fibers of luxury linen sheets offer texture and dimension to your sleep experience, which is the opposite of cotton sheeting that feels smooth and crisp. Those who enjoy the simple and textured style of luxury linen sheets include them among the finest sheets in the world.

Best Types of Luxury Sheets

Here are some of the most popular types of sheets and the unique qualities that each present, to help you choose the best type of sheets to buy for your home.

Sateen - This 100% cotton fabric is made with a satin weave that gives it a silky-smooth feel. Sateen for sheets is woven in a one-over, three-under pattern for a stronger, more lustrous fabric. This type of weave gives you a higher thread count than percale which results in a heavier feel, making sateen sheets a great choice for cold weather snuggling.
Percale – This crisp, durable cotton fabric is made with a plain weave, known as the simple one over. While not as lush and silky as sateen, high-end cotton percale bedding is luxuriously soft to the touch and offers a crisp, clean feel. Percale sheets are the lightest and most breathable of the types of cotton weaves and are great for warmer climates or for those who tend to get hot while sleeping.
Pima – What is pima cotton? Considered by many to be the world’s finest cotton, pima is a fiber known for its softness, strength, and beautiful natural luster. Pima sheets must be made from woven fibers and materials born from 100-percent American pima cotton to be trademarked with the prestigious pima cotton label. Pima sheets offer the ultimate in luxury and comfort.
Linen – Linen is adored for the look of relaxed elegance that comes from the fabric’s natural and unique irregularities and special weave. The breathable fibers and unmatched wicking ability make linen bedding perfect for year-round use and offers a luxurious look that is cool to the touch, comfortable to sleep on, and oh-so-pleasant to the eye.

Luxury Sheets Buying Guide FAQ

Next, you may have seen other terms used to describe sheets such as thread count, it is important to know the proper sheet lingo when shopping for luxury sheet sets for your home. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about buying luxury bed sheets.

What is the most luxurious bedding?

Luxury bedding comes down to the finest, carefully selected materials that create the ultimate sleep experience. Choice luxury sheets are made from long-staple cotton fibers that are spun into high quality yarns. Egyptian cotton is highly sought after, but it is the long-staple fibers that are crucial for the most luxurious feel and lasting comfort.

Are luxury linens worth it?

Once you've slept on luxury linens, you will know they are absolutely worth it. At Peacock Alley, we offer only the finest high-end bedding to give you the ultimate restful comfort that will last for years to come.

What are the most luxurious sheets in the world?

A sateen weave matched with extra-long staple cotton is considered the best combination for luxury sheets. Sheets made with extra-long staple cotton and thread counts between 420 and 600 provide the softest and smoothest texture. Peacock Alley's Emily Egyptian Cotton Sheet Set, Soprano Sateen Sheet Set and Virtuoso Sateen Sheet Set are made to meet the standards of the finest sheets in the world, made in India, Portugal and Italy.

What Thread Count is Best for Sheets?

When you hear the term thread count, it refers to the number of vertical and horizontal threads in 1 square inch of fabric. Thread count is typically a sign of a high-quality fabric, but not always, so it is important to know the difference. The theory of thread count is that when there is a higher number of threads per inch, it usually indicates that each individual piece of yarn is finer. This means that more pieces of yarn will fit in the 1 square inch of fabric, giving it a smooth and strong weave.

A good rule of thumb for quality sheets is a thread count of 200 to 300 for percale sheets, 300 to 600 for sateen sheets, and 80 to 120 for linen sheets. Sometimes, thread counts are inflated, though, to make sheets appear to be a higher quality than they actually are. For example, if a fabric is made using two-ply yarn, which is actually two individual threads twisted together, some manufacturers count both threads, which artificially doubles the thread count.

How Often Should You Buy New Sheets?

A high-quality set of sheets can last from 5 to 10 years if properly cared for and maintained on a regular basis. Lesser quality sheets are most likely ready to be replaced within two years. When you notice that the fit of the sheets is no longer a snug, firm one, they start to look dingy after time, or the material is pilling or has tears, it is time to start shopping for new luxury linens for your bed. If your budget allows, it is a good idea to have an extra set of luxury sheets for each bed in your home to make changing sheets more convenient and less time-consuming.

How to Choose Sheets that Fit Well?

Before you begin shopping for luxury sheets, it is important to know exactly what size sheets you need for your bed. There are more factors that go into choosing the correct sheet size besides just knowing if you have a full, queen, or king mattress.

Be sure to check the size, including the depth of your mattress for the best fitting sheets. Include in your measurement, any mattress topper you might be using. While most regular size sheets will fit most mattresses, if your bed has an extra thick pillow top mattress or a separate memory foam topper, you may require sheets that are made especially for those types of beds. Look for “deep” or “extra deep” pocketed sheets for the best fit. If sheets are not labeled as such, look for the measurements on the packaging of your luxury sheets to determine the best fit.

Peacock Alley Has the Perfect Luxury Sheets for You

Whether you prefer luxury linen sheets with the beautiful variations in the natural woven fabric, or soft and luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets for your bedtime ritual, Peacock Alley knows that sheets are so much more than just a cover for your mattress. Luxury sheets provide a smooth and soft layer of comfort for you to lie on, so you can relax into the most enjoyable sleep possible. Which Peacock Alley luxury sheets work best for you?

When it is time to buy new luxury sheets, it really can be quite overwhelming to choose the best type for your bedroom. From selecting a thread count and knowing the difference between linen and cotton, to choosing the right fabric and buying sets and single pieces – there is a lot more to the world of luxury sheets than just bed size.

When trying to choose the best type of sheets to buy for your home, it is a good idea to learn a little bit about the different types of sheets available, how to choose sheets that best suit your needs, and the best type of sheets to buy. Our Bed Sheet Buying Guide is here to help with information, tips, and suggestions to assist you in finding the best type of sheets for you.