I've spent the last year sleeping on Martha Stewart bedding − I didn't want to admit it, but I'm impressed

Martha Stewart 100% Cotton Sheet Set | $64.99 at Amazon
If you need some quality sheets ASAP, Martha's sheets are now on sale at Amazon. They come in a wide range of colors and are remarkably good for the price. You might be able to save more money when you shop the bedding sales.

View Deal

Martha Stewart is the queen of all things home, so it should come as no surprise that she has her own line of bedding. Much as I'm a fan of Martha, I have a healthy skepticism of celebrity endorsements. Back in October 2023, I decided to get my hands on the Martha Stewart bedding collection so I could try it for myself.

I've tested dozens of bedding bundles throughout my career, so I was curious to see how the sheet set from the Martha Stewart collection stands up against the best bed sheets. I didn't want to admit it, but I'm impressed: these sheets are hard-wearing yet seriously soft. I'm still sleeping on them more than a year later. I'd rank the Martha Stewart Down Comforter among the best duvet inserts. I'm not a big fan of the pillows, which felt insufficiently supportive for side sleeping, but you might appreciate their plush, sink-in feel.

More than a year into testing, I give the Martha Stewart bedding collection top scores across the board for look and feel, thermoregulation, and durability. It just goes to show that Amazon can be one of the best places to buy affordable bedding, if you know where to look.

Martha Stewart bedding collection – my honest review, one year later

If you like the look of this bedding bundle, I suggest you shop the Martha Stewart Bedding & Bath Amazon store. You'll find sheet sets, towels and bath mats, duvets, quilts, and comforter sets, and even a line of Martha Stewart mattresses.

Martha Stewart Bedding Specifications

Who would the Martha Stewart bedding collections suit?

• Buyers on a budget: the Martha Stewart 100% Cotton Sheet Set contains some of the best affordable bed sheets on the market. Like all the best affordable bedding, these pieces look and feel more expensive than they actually are, and they stand up well to prolonged use.
• Hot sleepers: if you suffer from night sweats or hot flashes, you should consider the Martha Stewart 100% Cotton Sheet Set. These are some of the best Amazon cooling sheets. I've been sleeping on these sheets for more than a year now, and I find they keep me warm in winter and cool for the summer.
• Front and back sleepers: you'll appreciate the plush, sink-in feeling of the Down Alternative Pillows. If you sleep on your side, like I do, then you probably need something more supportive to stop your neck from straining. I suggest you shop from our best pillow buying guide.

Test 1: Cotton Sheet Set

I tested out the Martha Stewart 100% Cotton Sheet Set in a pattern called Otto Geometric Light Blue. The Queen-size set fit well on my mattress, which is around 14 inches thick, and I loved the colorful pattern, which features a light blue quatrefoil motif with yellow accents. The pillowcases and flat sheet have a pleated detail on the hem, and overall, it’s a very pretty set that brightens up the bedroom. I only wish that the pillowcases had a envelope closure, as they sometimes migrated off the pillow when I tossed and turned at night. 

Before putting the sheets onto my bed, I washed them according to the care directions. They had a slight odor initially, but that's common for bedding that’s been sitting in a warehouse waiting to be shipped. The smell went away after a cycle through the laundry. The sheets were also noticeably softer after laundering, which often happens with 100% cotton fabric. 

In terms of comfort, I was really impressed with the feel and weight of these sheets. They were soft and comfortable to sleep on, keeping my partner and I warm, but I think they’re also breathable enough to use during the summer. They seem to get softer after each wash, so I think they’ll only continue to get better over time. I also like that they’re OEKO-TEX certified, which means they’ve been tested for harmful chemicals and deemed safe for sleep. 

Test 2: Down Comforter

In addition to the sheets, I used the Martha Stewart Down Comforter on my bed. The outer shell is made from a blend of cotton and lyocell, which is a type of rayon, and it’s super smooth and soft to the touch. In fact, it felt so good that I didn't bother to add a duvet cover.

This comforter features baffle box stitching that keeps the blend of down and feathers evenly distributed across the blanket. It's cozy and lofty without being too puffy. Unfortunately, the Martha Stewart Down Comforter easy to clean, but that’s not surprising given that it’s filled with down. The care tag reads 'dry clean only' in large letters, so you will need to pay to have it laundered. To that end, it’s probably a good idea to use a duvet cover on it, especially if you have pets who climb on the bed.

We keep our house quite cool during the winter – generally around 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night (just a touch cooler than the best temperature for sleep) – so this blanket was absolutely amazing for chilly nights. When paired with a lightweight quilt, it provided the perfect amount of warmth, keeping both me and my partner comfortable all night long. 

The brand claims the blanket’s medium-weight is suitable for all-season use, but as someone who sleeps hot, I think it would be too warm for the summer: that's when I'd want the best cooling comforter. But for the winter in New England, it was absolutely ideal. Not to mention that it’s notably more affordable than many other down comforters, costing around $130 for a king size.

Test 3: Down Alternative Bed Pillows

Finally, I tried out the Martha Stewart Down Alternative Bed Pillows in a standard queen size. The two pillows were tightly wrapped up in a layer of plastic. I had to very carefully cut away the wrapping to get them free, and they were a bit flat at first. However, I tossed them in the dryer for 10 minutes, and they fluffed up nicely.  

These pillows come in a pack of two, which costs $50, and honestly, they’re a little pricey for what they are. The exterior of the pillows is a cotton-polyester blend, and they’re filled with regular polyester fiberfill. They’re definitely not as thick as they appear in the product photos, but they do have a cute light blue piping detail around the edges. 

As a side sleeper, these pillows simply didn’t provide enough support for me. I like a fairly thick pillow that keeps my head supported, and these pillows were way too soft and plush. My partner liked the pillow better than I did, saying that it was comfortable to cushion his head when he was sleeping on his back. 

Overall, I think these pillows are better suited for back sleepers or stomach sleepers, but even then, you can definitely find similar options that are much cheaper: $25 for a regular fiberfill pillow is a bit steep. 

What do other customers say about Martha Stewart bedding?

When I first started testing, I couldn't stop talking about Martha Stewart bedding and how well it performed at the price. I ended up piquing the interest of our Content Director, Lucy Searle, who ordered her own set of Martha Stewart bedding. Six months later, I asked Lucy how her bedding is holding up.

'Let's talk first impressions.' she says. 'The bedding arrived in neat pocket cases and my first thought when I pulled the sheets out was how soft they felt. The sheets were a little wrinkled from their journey to me, so I washed and ironed them. The most pleasant surprise was how easy they were to iron to a crease-free finish. The second surprise? That they didn't perceptibly crease again until I washed them after a week's use, at which point they needed a light press to look as good as new. I air dried mine on a hot day, though I noticed that one reviewer claimed a quick spin in a warm dryer made more or less wrinkle-free sheets.'

Should you buy Martha Stewart bedding?

All things considered, I was pleasantly surprised by the Martha Stewart bedding line. Despite the reasonable prices, the products were all well-made and comfortable to sleep on. I particularly liked the sheets, which come in both solid colors and fun patterns, and the down comforter was a perfect option for cold nights in the winter. I wasn’t sold on the pillows, which were too soft for me, but if you sleep on your back or stomach, they might be a better fit for you. 

Overall, the bedding is a great budget-friendly option for your home, and it should make your bedroom feel like a little lap of luxury.

Martha Stewart 100% Cotton Sheet Set | $64.99 at Amazon
If you need some quality sheets ASAP, Martha's sheets are now on sale at Amazon. They come in a wide range of colors and are remarkably good for the price. You might be able to save more money when you shop the bedding sales.

View Deal

How we test bedding

As a seasoned product tester with dozens of bedding reviews under my belt, I'm part of H&G's bedding testing team. We spend a minimum of 30 nights sleeping on sheets before we write our initial reviews, in order to get a good indication of long-term performance. After the initial test period, we often continue to sleep with that bedding and update our reviews accordingly.

For the sake of a fair fight, we score each sheet set against the same criteria: look and feel; thermoregulation; and durability. First, we describe look and feel, considering the material properties of the bed sheets: whether they wrinkle, for example, and how they feel against your skin. To assess thermoregulation, we switch off our AC and sleep through all seasons, considering whether we feel too hot or too cold under these sheets. To assess durability, we strip the bed and clean the sheets according to the instructions on their care tag. Then, we remake the bed and carry on testing, considering whether the look and feel of the sheets has changed.

We also consider the practicalities of sheet shopping, including the details of delivery and the range of sizes and colors available. Where possible, we like to compare our results against verified reviews to give you the fullest possible picture of what it might be like to sleep on these sheets. Then, we bring it all back to the price of the sheet set to help you determine value for money.