Nobody needs designer bedding. Unlike a solid bed frame or a supportive mattress, it's not a sleep essential. Stylish sheets and shams might not guarantee a good night's sleep, but will should instantly elevate your bedroom decor.
Some of the biggest names in fashion also make bedding, from Vera Wang to Ralph Lauren. While most designer bedding is clean and crisp, you'll find the occasional bright burst of color and texture from maximalist brands, such as Michael Amini. Since designer bedding comes in every shape, style, and size, it can be difficult to know where to start.
That's where I come in. As H&G's resident sleep writer, I've slept under some of the world's best bed sheets and laid my head upon the best pillow money can buy. I have an eye for design, but I won't compromise on comfort or quality of construction. Designer bedding shouldn't just look good − it should also wash well, keep you cool, and soothe your skin.
The best designer bedding
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It should goes without saying, but it bears repeating: some of this stuff is seriously expensive. We're talking thousand-dollar sheets and shams, so costly that I couldn't call them all in for testing. Instead, I've scoured the specifications, read countless customer reviews, and sighed over the stunning pictures.
Vera Wang
Vera Wang haute couture is chic, sophisticated yet simple. Her bedding brand plays by the same rules. As she designs sheets, shams, cases, and comforters, Vera sticks to a classic palette of pure whites, light grays, and deep, dark blacks: the closest she comes to color is a gray-toned blue. Where a lot of designers push linen collections or bedding bundles, the Vera Wang Amazon store front allows you to pick your own pieces, mix and match them to create bespoke bedding.
Made from wrinkle-resistant cotton sateen, these sheets should lie beautifully across your bed. Each flat sheet, fitted sheet and pillowcase is ornamented with a scalloped edge for a sweet finish.
This duvet cover is woven into waffle pique for touchable texture. Just bear in mind that it only comes in sizes Queen and King. For anything bigger or smaller, you might be better off shopping elsewhere.
This 100% cotton blanket is totally reversible, with ribs and ridges throughout each side. It would look just as good draped over the edge of your bed as strewn across your sofa.
Ralph Lauren
From his classic cable-knits to his crisp white linens, Ralph Lauren does casual luxury better than anyone. The same cool class that characterises Ralph Lauren clothing carries through to his bedding brand. You'll see pinstripes and paisley prints, and cable-knit cushions set against denim blue backgrounds. If you like the look of a particular piece, you can shop the matching set, and get a flat sheet, fitted sheet, duvet case and cover. Most of the time, you'll find a pillow or a cozy blanket thrown in for good measure.
If you like the look and feel of a crisply tailored shirt, you might appreciate Ralph Lauren's Shirting Stripe collection. These sheets are cut from the same cloth as the finest menswear and feature double-needle topstitching to boost breathability.
If you prefer to err on the side of subtlety, you might appreciate the Bethany Jacquard Bedding Collection. Each piece features soft swirls and florals with a stitch-down tailored flange for neatness.
Inspired by Britain and made in Portugal, the Oxford Bedding Collection oozes Americana. The stars are stitched in yarn, while the stripes are woven from organic cotton.
Hugo Boss
Hugo Boss makes bedding that looks a lot like their menswear. Several of the sheet sets are constructed from cotton piqué: a breezy, breathable weave that's ideal for hot sleepers and more commonly used to make polo shirts and tennis skirts. For sleepers with sensitive skin, I would recommend something slightly softer in cotton sateen. Hugo Boss bedding is designed for stylish sleepers with busy lives: that's why almost every piece is washer-, dryer-, and iron-safe.
Each flat sheet, fitted sheet, duvet cover and pillowcase in this collection is crafted from silky-soft cotton sateen and printed with blue and white tennis stripes.
If you've ever shopped at Hugo Boss, you'll recognize this color scheme. This gray and beige bedding celebrates Boss's classic tricolor. It should blend beautifully with all styles of bedroom decor.
These sheets come in gray, charcoal, camel, and natural flax. You could pick a favorite shade or mix and match to create your own bespoke bedding.
Sferra
Unless you're serious about your sleep, you might not have heard of Sferra. Let me put you onto something: this is one of the best luxury bedding brands in the business. Sferra cater for every size and style of sleeper and make it easy for you to find what you're looking for, thanks to their in-site navigation system. You can filter your search for sheets to silky smooth Egyptian cotton or moisture-wicking alpaca wool. You can shop for Herringbone or matelassé accents, in addition to your standard jacquard and lace. Best of all, Sferra is one of the only designer bedding brands to offer twin-sized selections, so that the smallest child can sleep in style.
Although the Rombo Collection includes just three items – two shams and a coverlet – the right colors can make a big impact. I love the look of willow green peeking out between the sheets.
Each sheet, sham, and case in the Fiona Collection is crafted from long-staple cotton and woven into super-smooth sateen. Complete the look with a bed skirt and a swatch of Fiona Fabric.
For understated elegance, consider the Sferra Estate Collection. The plain white sheets should complement any bedroom color palette while the appliqué detail draws the eye.
Matouk
I don't have a thousand dollars to drop on a sheet set. If I ever do, Matouk is where I want to shop. Every sheet and sham is made by an artisan, who weaves, embroiders, irons, and folds by hand. Matouk has manufactured luxury linens for more than a century, from the same base in Fall River, Massachusetts. Theirs is one of only three USA production facilities to be OEKO-TEX SteP certified for sustainable textile production. Naturally moisture-wicking and antimicrobial, Matouk bedding is kind to your skin, kind to the planet, and seriously stylish, too.
Tapes and trims add interest to these otherwise plain white sheets. But there's more to the Astor Braid than meets the eye. Each piece is made from crisp cotton percale for that hotel-quality finish.
I've never seen bedding like this. Inspired by Moroccan mosaic, each sheet, case, and cover in the Aziza Collection features a zig-zag appliqué cut to add depth and dimension
Woven from Giza Egyptian cotton, these sheets are accented with hemstitch detail for a dramatic drape. They should feel cool to the touch and soft against your skin.
Michael Amini
Take the quiet luxury trend, flip it on its head, and turn up the volume: you might come close to the scale and grandeur of Michael Amini. Where most designer bedding brands prefer to play with subtle shapes and muted shades, Michael Amini embraces loud luxury. His sheet sets are so sumptuous that they only come in King: anything smaller just won't fit. Your typical Michael Amini bedding collection contains one comforter, four shams, and more decorative pillows than you can count. To complete the country castle aesthetic, you'll find a dust skirt and a monogrammed cushion.
Bring English Country Manor style across the pond with the Woodside Park Comforter Set. Oversized stripes and paisley prints work together to draw the eye without overwhelming the space.
This queen-sized comforter set oozes Old World glamor. Totally reversible, you can show the spa blue side or the gold jacquard: whichever blends best with your bedroom decor.
Jewel tones and paisley patterns evoke the stained glass windows of Seville, Spain. This comforter set would make a real statement on a four-poster bed or in a master bedroom.
Designer bedding FAQs
How can I get designer bedding on the cheap?
You can't, unless you take advantage of holiday discounts and site-specific sales. When you're shopping for premium bedding, you can't be surprised by a premium price tag. Many of these pieces are designed by the biggest names in fashion and hand-crafted by artisans. If your heart is saying 'luxury', but your budget is whispering 'necessity', it might be best to stick to window-shopping while you save up the funds.
Which are the best designer bedding brands?
Matouk make the best designer bedding for eco-conscious shoppers and stylish sleepers alike. Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss bedding is breathable and durable, designed for stylish sleepers with busy lives. These collections play with pattern, but they should be subtle enough to blend with any bedroom decor. For elegant understatement, shop at Vera Wang or Sferra: for the complete opposite, try Michael Amini.
Final thoughts
Once you've spent some serious cash on the best designer bedding, it's even more important to take good care of it. Make sure to avoid these bedding laundry mistakes to get the most out of your luxury goods.
If you know you need new sheets, but you simply can't justify the expense of designer bedding, then you're in luck: I've found the best affordable bed sheets to suit every style of sleeper and size of budget. If you know where to look, you can find some premium pieces, without the premium price tag.
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