Bed sheet mistakes: experts warn against these 5 bedding blunders

The bedding market is constantly growing, and while this means the selection is bigger and better than ever, it makes finding great bedding ever more complicated. There are thread counts, colors, and what feels like thousands of bedding materials to choose from, and getting it wrong, could cost you a great night's sleep.

Though you can pick up a cheap bed sheet set from both big-name retailers like Amazon and Target, choosing the best set for you isn't so easy. What's more, it can impact your quality of life. Research suggests that sleeping under poor-quality bedding can ruin your quality of sleep. 

As a sleep editor, I've tested dozens of of bedsheets, making plenty of mistakes along the way.  To help you shop for the best bed sheets online, and get it right, I've spoken to the experts and put together a five-step guide on what not to do. 

5 bed sheet mistakes 

To make the bed sheet buying process even easier, I'd suggest making sure you first have a budget and style in mind. You should also consider any sleep issues you're facing. Once you have these sorted, these are the pitfalls to avoid:

1. Thinking higher thread count is better

The biggest mistake shoppers make when choosing bed sheets is the thread count. There is a common myth that the higher the thread count, the better quality. Yet this isn't necessarily true. Rather, thread count refers to the amount of yarns per square inch of fabric.

As Yusuf Ozkanli, the founder of luxury bedding brand Beddable explains, 'Essentially, a higher thread count means more yarns present in your bed sheets, and since a limited number of threads can fit into each fabric square inch, quality will actually depend on how thick the yarns are.' He advices that 'the best thread count for bed sheets is 200-400, because sheets within this range are soft and durable.' 

Yusuf Ozkanli

Yusuf Ozkanli is the founder and product manager of luxury bedding brand Beddable and has over 7 years of experience in sourcing home textiles from across the world. 

2. Not considering your sleep needs

Especially when browsing online, it can be easy to pick a set based on how it looks, rather than whether it'll suit your sleep needs. Different materials will help with certain sleep issues. Bamboo is naturally moisture-wicking, working to keep hot sleepers sweat-free. Eucalyptus is cool to the touch, for those who like a fresh sleep surface, and all-organic bedding that is hypoallergenic is ideal for those who suffer from allergies. You should therefore avoid choosing your bedding based on how it looks on the bed, or even because it may be trending – the latest waffle bedding trend for example is not good for those with sensitive skin as the texture can be rough on skin and hair. Instead, you should choose fabric based on how it will help you sleep, then look for style. 

Below are the best bed sheets that keep your sleep needs in mind. A hot sleep myself, I've tried and tested them all. 

3. Forget about the season

Another common bedding mistake is forgetting about the season. Linen looks chic and stylish, but it is not suitable for cold weather. Conversely, a velvet bedspread might look luxurious, but it won't do you any favors during a summer heatwave. 

If you're shopping by season, linen is the best option for summer. Lightweight, breathable and breezy you'll sleep cool all night. I've tested out linen bedding during a heatwave and have to say it is the only fabric that helped me not overheat. The best bedding to choose for winter has to be a washed cotton. Super soft (softer than polyester, but made of high-quality cotton) they wash well and won't bobble or wear easy. They have brushed finish that feels cozy and snug working to keep you warm in winter. 

Cotton bedding is probably the best all-season option you can buy. It's breathable and temperature-regulating, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. Still, you should pay attention to the finish. There are two popular cotton finishes: sateen and percale.

Sateen bed sheets have a silky finish that's smooth to the touch. This is generally a great middle-ground option you can sleep in all year round. 

Percale bed sheets are typically used in hotels and have a cool, stiff feel. They're ultra-durable and will wick away any moisture, meaning they're best for hot sleepers or used during the summer. They literally feel cold to the touch too.

You should also consider the season when choosing the color of your bed sheets. Whether you choose light or dark bed sheets will make you feel hotter, or colder as you sleep. Light bed sheets like white or pale blue bed are the freshest choice, and will feel cool to the touch. Dark bedding, on the other hand, will feel hotter, especially if warmed by the sun. 

4. Ignore certifications and bedding standards

Lots of bedding brands may market their bed sheets as 'luxury', but key to quality bedding is whether it has any certifications. Don't be fooled into thinking bedding is the best because it's made of Egyptian cotton, for example. It's not always a guarantee of quality, and there are other places that also produce great sheets. You should look for 'cotton that comes from Portugal, for example,' explains Ozkanli, 'Portugal is one of the best manufacturers of cotton, where local families run generational mills that meet high production standards'. 

When buying bedding, ensure it has an Oeko-Tex certification. This ensures the fabrics are made without any harmful chemicals, like dyes and bleaches. Generally, polyester bedding won't hold these certifications – hence polyester is considered the worst bed sheet material to choose. 

5. Choose the wrong size

It may sound simple, but making sure your bedding fits properly is essential to a comfy bed. Many brands may label their bedding as a certain size, either being, twin, queen, king, Cali-king, but it's important to check the measurements. Just as clothes sizing can sometimes be off, bed sheet sizes may differ depending on the retailer, and there are additional sizes to the spectrum that you may get confused with, like Twin XL and full sizes. The general bed sheet sizes are as follows: 

Twin: 38 x 75 inches
Twin XL: 38 x 80 inches
Full: 53 x 75 inches
Queen: 60 x 80 inches
King: 76 x 80 inches
Californian King: 72 x 84 inches 

Another key measurement to consider is depth of your fitted sheet. Mattresses come in different depths, and your fitted sheet should fit snugly underneath the mattress. If you have a sheet that is too short, you'll struggle to keep all four corners down; too long and you'll experience sagging and excess material. Not only will this be uncomfortable but it will also look unpleasant.

FAQs

Buying bed sheets can be complicated, but once you've found the best bed sheets for you, you won't compromise on a good night's sleep. Second to choosing the right bedding, you should know how to wash your bed sheets properly, as there's no point in buying the best set to only ruin them in the wash.