As the weather warms up, I'm on the hunt for cooling bedding to regulate my temperature and wick away my night sweats. When the rest of the house is a heat bubble, a calm, cool bedroom is the oasis I need.
Over the years, I've reviewed a wide range of sheet sets, comforters, blankets, and throws, and not all of them are created equal. Sweaty synthetic fibers make me too hot, while thin, cheap sheets leave me too cold. I've shopped at all the best places to buy bedding and I still couldn't find a cooling set that met my needs.
That is, until I came across Riley Home. I was intrigued by their mission statement to offer bedding for those who have a 'champagne taste on a rosé budget.' As a parent, I don't have much wiggle room in my budget to buy luxury bed sheets, so I'm more than happy to buy more affordable bedding − as long as it looks and feels premium.
My lightweight summer bedspread is all from Riley Home
I wanted to see whether the performance of Riley Home bedding outstripped the price, so I called in a sheet set, a comforter, and a throw for testing. If you want to learn more about how we test bed sheets at Homes & Gardens, you can read our expert explainer.
Material: Cotton percale
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King
Colors: 7
Care instructions: Machine wash on cold, gentle cycle; tumble dry on low
+ Crisp and cool
+ Get softer with each wash
- Flat sheet sold separately
The Riley Home Percale Sheet Set is one of the most luxurious I've tried. After a long day looking after five children, I love slipping into these crisp, cool cotton percale sheets. It's the sort of thing you normally find in high-end hotels. Unlike some sheet sets, which lose their softness over time, the Percale Sheet Set is designed to get softer with each wash. I found that these sheets held up well to washing and drying, and I didn't notice any rough patches after laundry day. I'd put them up there with the best bed sheets.
Fill: White Goose Down
Cover: Cotton sateen
Density: All Season, Extra Warm
Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/California King
Care instructions: Machine wash on cold; tumble dry on low
+ Available in multiple densities
+ Features baffle box construction
- Not suitable for vegan shoppers
This comforter is filled with white goose down for natural loft and wrapped in cotton sateen for a silky smooth finish. I especially like the baffle box construction of this comforter, which stops the down from bunching up inside the case, creating lumps, bumps, and cold patches. No matter how many times I found myself throwing back the comforter to tend to one of my children, the down stayed neatly in place, like all the best duvet inserts. If you'd like to introduce more color to your bedroom, you can use the corner loops to connect your comforter to a duvet cover.
Materials: Combed cotton
Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/California King
Colors: 9
Care instructions: Machine wash cold on gentle, tumble dry on low
+ Wide colorways
+ Comforting weight for all seasons
- On the more expensive side
I might be a hot sleeper, but I still like a layer. A light throw or cute coverlet can break up the blank canvas of white sheets, adding some much-needed texture and just the right amount of additional warmth. Some nights, I pull this throw off the bed and wrap it around myself to cuddle up on the couch with a good book. I appreciate the wide range of colors, from slate gray to cloud blue and blush pink, but it's pretty expensive for a coverlet.
If, for whatever reason, you'd rather not shop at Riley Home, but you're still looking for ways to keep cool as the weather warms up, then I'd encourage you to consider these Riley Home alternatives.
Material: Cotton percale
Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
Colors: 9
Care instructions: Machine-washable and dryer-safe
+ Breathable
+ Highly affordable
- No envelope closures on pillowcases
'These sheets are hard-wearing yet seriously soft,' says expert tester Camryn Rabideau. 'I'm still sleeping on them more than a year later.' Now that she's tested them through all four seasons, Camryn ranks the Martha Stewart 100% Cotton Sheet Set among the best cooling sheets.
Fill: Recycled PET
Cover: Lyocell sateen
Density: Lightweight
Sizes: Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/California King
Care instructions: Machine wash on cold and hang dry
+ Highly breathable
+ Suitable for vegan shoppers
- Lacks a little natural loft
Compared to the Riley Home White Goose Down Comforter, the Buffy Cloud Comforter lacks a little natural loft, but that's the only real downside. The lyocell cover should keep you cool, while the recycled PET fiber filling is good news for vegans and eco-conscious shoppers.
Materials: Polyester, acrylic, viscose
Colors: Black and White, Rust
Sizes: 1 (50"x60")
Care instructions: Machine-washable
Part of the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore home furnishings line, this lightweight throw is breathable, durable, and affordable. The color range isn't quite so wide as you'll find at Riley Home, but the black-and-white herringbone design should complement any color palette.
If you've tried replacing your bedding, and you're still struggling to keep cool overnight, then the problem might be your mattress. One easy and affordable fix would be to switch to one of the best cooling mattress toppers or pads. If you're sure your bed is the problem, then it makes sense to consider the best cooling mattress.
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