The Sheets
I know I've said the bed is your foundation, and the mattress is the single most important element of the bed, but the sheets are high up there too. Again, like mattresses, sheets preference is subjective, but there are some basic rules to follow, no matter what you like.
- Always go for 100 percent natural fibres. That means cotton, linen, satin, bamboo, etc. It sounds obvious, but some sheets are polyester or polyester blends, and they don't breathe like cotton, stain easily, and can pill. For comfort factor alone, avoid sheets with polyester or any other man-made fabric.
- Thread count doesn't really matter. Don't tell Tom Haverford, but high thread count equaling better sheets is a myth. The fabric and the weave is far more important.
- Avoid special treatments. Any time a sheet promises some flashy feature like wrinkle resistance, it usually means it's been treated with chemicals. (P.S. Do you really need wrinkle-free sheets? Just make your bed.
So which sheets to choose? I'm a diehard linen sheet fan and will always recommend these, which get softer and softer with every wash, and keep you cool on Summer nights and warm on cold Winter ones. They're not everyone's cup of tea though, and I occasionally like the feel of a crisp cotton sheet. If you like getting into bed and feeling that cold sheet sensation on your legs, look for percale cotton sheets. If it's Winter and you want a seriously cosy feel, you can also go for flannel sheets (if you're not a nighttime sweat-monster like myself).
You also don't have to splurge on sheets if you're trying to save somewhere. On the lower end, Target has some great options (just follow the above rules), Pottery Barn has excellent mid-range sheets, and if you're splurging, then look for a brand like Frette. And then please invite me over for a sleepover.