Maybe the best test of a bedsheet’s quality is done at a hotel, where sheets are being put through the literal wringer daily.
“We’re flipping the sheets every single day, so they need to be as soft, sturdy and pristine as they were on Day One,” says Ave Bradley, creative director and senior vice president of design for Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants. “We also pressure-test our linens before they’re rolled out.” While Kimpton uses 300-thread-count Frette linens (and sells them to guests who want to take them home), Bradley uses 100 percent organic Coyuchi crinkled percale in her guest bedroom in Los Angeles.
Which made us wonder: What do bedding experts — designers, hospitality gurus — choose for their own beds? Most of the professionals we spoke to advocate for natural materials, especially linen. Lightweight linen is nice for warmer climates, while a heavier linen is preferred for cooler climates or seasons, Bradley explains. Thread count doesn’t matter as much as the material, which should be 100 percent cotton. Note that percale sheets are a bit heavier than others, with more texture, a more-relaxed feel, and a 200-thread count; sateen sheets have a slight sheen to them, with a 300-thread count. Color or no color is up to you and your bedroom’s design scheme, so find what you like and sleep easy.
“When it comes to affordable options that are still good quality, Target is my go-to,” says Moorea Seal, a Seattle-based retailer and author of the 52 Lists project series. “They have great prices and a great variety of patterns.” She’s a fan of any material that Nate Berkus designs, including the new sateen, 100-percent cotton Modern Printed Sheet Set in blue stripe by Project 62 + Nate Berkus ($45.99 for queen fitted sheet, flat sheet and two pillowcases, target.com). “They are super-soft and cozy and have held up well for being such an affordable set of sheets.”