Bed Sheets Buying Guide
Picture your perfect bed. Luxuriously soft, breathable, eco-friendly sheets envelop you as you drift into a peaceful night’s sleep. Sounds great, right?
We’re here to make your dreams a reality. In a world of jargon and misleading online marketing, bridging the gap between what you want and what you desire can be hard. In this bed sheet buying guide, we’ll run you through everything you need to know about buying your perfect sheets. From size to material to thread count, we’re here to help you understand all the lingo and make a more informed decision.
Let’s start with the basics.
What is a Fitted Sheet?
There’s some confusion as to what counts as a sheet set, but generally speaking, ‘sheets’ refers to any and all bed linen. So, what comes in a sheet set and quilt cover set?
Most adult sheet sets (size double and above) consist of:
- 1 Flat sheet
- 1 Fitted sheet
- 2 Pillowcases
Kid’s sheet sets (single and king single) come with:
- 1 Flat sheet
- 1 Fitted sheet
- 1 Pillowcase
Most adult quilt cover sets (size double and above) consist of:
- 1 quilt cover
- 2 Pillowcases
Kid’s quilt cover sets (single and king single) come with:
- 1 quilt cover
- 1 Pillowcase
These pieces can either be purchased in a set or individually to allow you to mix and match colours and sizes.
What are the Different Types of Bed Sheets?
Preferences aside, your sheets should serve three main purposes —protecting your mattress, encasing your quilt and creating a comfortable, smooth surface to lie on. Here are the main types of sheets you’ll come across when shopping for bedding.
Fitted sheets
More often used as a bottom sheet, fitted sheets are best known for their four elastic corners designed to hug your mattress and keep the sheet in place.
Flat sheets
Used either in replacement of a fitted sheet or as a layer between your quilt and skin, flat sheets are rectangular pieces of cloth that, as their name suggests, lie flat on your bed.
Quilt covers
A quilt cover is a covering for your duvet to protect it from staining and early wear and tear. It is often the focal point of your bed set.
Sets
Consisting of a fitted sheet, flat sheet, quilt covers and pillowcases.
Bed Sheet Sizing Guide
To find the right measurements and dimensions for your bed sheets, use our sizing chart.
| Bed Size | Flat Sheet Size | Fitted Sheet Size |
|---|---|---|
|
Bed Size
Single |
Flat Sheet Size
195cm x 260cm + 10cm |
Fitted Sheet Size
92cm x 193cm x 40cm |
|
Bed Size
King Single |
Flat Sheet Size
210cm x 260cm + 10cm |
Fitted Sheet Size
107cm x 203cm x 40cm |
|
Bed Size
Double |
Flat Sheet Size
240cm x 260cm + 10cm |
Fitted Sheet Size
137cm x 193cm x 40cm |
|
Bed Size
Queen |
Flat Sheet Size
255cm x 260cm + 10cm |
Fitted Sheet Size
153cm x 203cm x 45cm |
|
Bed Size
King |
Flat Sheet Size
285cm x 260cm + 10cm |
Fitted Sheet Size
183cm x 203cm x 45cm |
|
Bed Size
Super King |
Flat Sheet Size
320cm x 270cm + 10cm |
Fitted Sheet Size
203cm x 203cm x 50cm |
Choosing a Material for your Sheets
We spend roughly a third of our lives in bed, so it’s worth investing in bed sheets that we love. When it comes to material, there’s no one-size-fits-all. With a wide range of fabrics available, it can be hard to pick a favourite — until now. We’ll list a range of bedding materials and their features to make finding your perfect set a piece of cake.
Egyptian cotton
For the most decadent night’s sleep you’ll ever have, Egyptian cotton is a no-brainer. It’s synonymous with luxury — with extra-long fibres that weave into an incredibly strong, smooth and breathable fabric. Gossypium Barbadense, the cotton seed used to grow Egyptian cotton, grows in the fertile soil of the Nile Delta in Egypt. The climate fosters slow and lengthy growth, producing exceptionally fine and premium fibres used to make the finest cotton in the world.
BeddingCo Egyptian cotton features
- 100% Egyptian cotton
- 1200 thread count
- Certified by Egypt Cotton Association
- Soft yet durable and strong
- Breathable and temperature-regulating
- Hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant
- Eco-friendly
BeddingCo’s Egyptian cotton range includes a 1200 thread count Egyptian cotton sheet set, quilt cover set, pillowcases, flat sheets and fitted sheets and 700GSM Egyptian cotton towels.
Mulberry silk
The king of silks — mulberry silk is a truly indulgent product, with a signature sheen that leaves skin and hair feeling supple and hydrated. The silkworms that produce mulberry silk fibres are fed exclusively on the leaves of the mulberry tree, resulting in some of the longest, finest and most refined silk fibres in the world.
BeddingCo mulberry silk features
- 100% mulberry silk
- A grade and 20 momme
- Luxuriously soft and ideal for sensitive skin
- Durable and strong
- Promotes skin & hair hydration
- Anti-ageing properties with 18 amino acids
- Rich lustre with a refined matt sheen
- Temperature regulating
- Hypoallergenic, antibacterial and dust mite resistant
- OEKO-TEX certified
BeddingCo’s mulberry silk range includes a 20 momme mulberry silk sheet set, quilt cover set and pillowcases. Also available is a mulberry silk quilt in summer warmth and all seasons warmth
French flax linen
Sustainable, natural and buttery smooth — linen is a popular bedding fabric for a reason. Woven from the fibres found in the stem of the flax plant, this material is best known for being eco-friendly and naturally breathable. The flax used for French linen is grown in France, where the cool climate and unique soil create an exquisitely high-quality fibre.
BeddingCo French flax linen features
- 100% pure French flax linen
- Strong and durable 160GSM
- Buttery soft and great for sensitive skin
- Temperature regulating and breathable
- Maintains an ideal temperature all seasons
- Hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, antibacterial
- Eco-friendly and requires less water to cultivate
- European Flax and OEKO-TEX certified
- Becomes softer with every wash
BeddingCo’s French flax linen range includes a 160GSM French flax linen sheet set and quilt cover set.
Organic cotton
How does organic cotton differ from regular cotton? It’s certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the world’s leading textile standard. GOTS organic certified bedding must contain at least 95% organic fibres, producing a fabric that’s not only eco-friendly but notably supple and smooth. Organic cotton is naturally stronger and softer than short-staple cotton due to the care taken in cultivating, picking and weaving this fabric.
BeddingCo organic cotton features
- 100% certified organic cotton
- Durable 500 thread count
- Temperature regulating
- Soft and great for sensitive skin
- Hydrates the skin and hair
- Eco-friendly and sustainable
- Hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, antibacterial
- GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified, free from pesticides & chemicals
BeddingCo’s organic range includes a 500 thread count 100% organic cotton sheet set and quilt cover set.
Organic bamboo
Soft, sustainable and stylish organic bamboo is made from its namesake — the bamboo plant. Long and naturally strong organic bamboo fibres are harvested from the organic bamboo plant, creating bedding that’s both incredibly soft to the touch and durable. Few fabrics rival the smoothness of bamboo, making it a very popular choice
BeddingCo organic bamboo features
- 100% organic bamboo
- 350 thread count
- Unrivalled softness, great for sensitive skin
- Exceptionally breathable
- Suitable for all seasons
- Long-lasting and durable
- Hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, antibacterial
- Eco-friendly and sustainable
- OEKO-TEX certified
BeddingCo’s organic bamboo range includes a 350 thread count 100% organic bamboo sheet set and quilt cover set.
Organic cotton flannelette
The perfect winter staple, organic flannelette comes with a brushed finish for a soft and cosy texture and insulation. Unbelievably soft GOTS-certified organic cotton fibres are woven together and brushed to result in raised fibres that create the signature well-loved feel of flannelette sheets.
BeddingCo organic cotton flannelette features
- 100% certified organic cotton
- 160 GSM brushed finish
- Perfect for winter
- Temperature regulating
- Soft and great for sensitive skin
- Eco-friendly and sustainable
- Hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, antibacterial
- GOTS and OEKO-TEX certified, free from pesticides & chemicals
BeddingCo’s organic cotton flannelette range includes a 160GSM 100% organic cotton flannelette sheet set and quilt cover set.
Blends
Blends refer to two or more fibres woven together to create one fabric. They can be made with natural or synthetic fibres and often a bit of both. When done well, blends aren’t inherently bad, but be wary of seemingly natural or organic sheets sold at a significantly lower price point than the competition — this is a telltale sign of a polyester or synthetic blend.
Polyester and other synthetics
A cost-effective sheet option, polyester and other synthetic sheets are often made from petroleum-derived plastic. They’re more prone to pilling and static than sheets made from natural fibres and are also more prone to staining. Synthetic sheets can vary significantly in quality and durability, meaning they’ll need to be replaced more often than their natural counterparts. Synthetic materials also tend not to be breathable, trapping sweat against the skin.
What is a good thread count for sheets?
When it comes to thread count, there is no magic number. However, generally speaking, the higher the thread count the higher the quality. That being said, thread count should be one consideration when choosing sheets, not the only. Features such as weave, finish, manufacturing processes and even whether it’s organic can impact how sheets feel and perform. Even within each fabric category, there’s a range of thread counts which would be considered premium.
The good news is that after decades of trading, we’ve discovered the thread counts that perform the best for each fabric in our collection. Some fabrics may have different metrics for measuring fabric weight (like GSM and momme), but they essentially mean the same thing. The table below reveals the thread counts balancing comfort, price and quality for each fabric in our range.
| Fabric | Best Thread Count/GSM/Momme |
|---|---|
|
Fabric
Egyptian Cotton |
Best Thread Count/GSM/Momme
800-1200 thread count |
|
Fabric
French Linen |
Best Thread Count/GSM/Momme
160-190 GSM* |
|
Fabric
Mulberry Silk |
Best Thread Count/GSM/Momme
18-22 momme^ |
|
Fabric
Organic Bamboo |
Best Thread Count/GSM/Momme
300-500 thread count |
|
Fabric
Organic Cotton |
Best Thread Count/GSM/Momme
500-800 thread count |
|
Fabric
Organic Cotton Flannelette |
Best Thread Count/GSM/Momme
160-190 GSM |
Read more in our dedicated guide to thread count.
Ethical considerations when buying sheets
As more and more people understand the importance of sustainable and eco-friendly living, we’re looking to the textile industry to step up. We’re proud to say that all of our products are sourced and manufactured with sustainability in mind. Our all-natural sheet collection features certified organic products, naturally sustainable plants and chemical and pesticide-free practices.
Within our collection, our most eco-friendly sheets are our organic cotton and bamboo range. The textile industry is infamous for excessive water consumption, but our organic products come from plants sustainably cultivated using less water than their non-organic counterparts.
Here’s the complete list of eco-friendly certifications and programs that ensure BeddingCo sheets are ethical and environmentally friendly.
- GOTS - Global Organic Textile Standard
- OEKO-TEX®
- ICS - Institute for Computational Sustainability
- Sedex - Empowering Responsible Supply Chains
- BSCI - Business Social Compliance Initiative
- FSC - Forest Stewardship Council
- Carbon Neutral Plant-a-Tree program
Bed Sheet Buying Guide FAQs
Should I buy organic bed sheets?
It’s entirely up to you! If eco-friendliness is your concern, choose a natural product over synthetic. Organic bedding is the next rung on the ladder, where natural fibres meet sustainable agricultural practices. Our GOTS-certified organic sheets meet the world’s highest organic processing standards, with fibres grown without pesticides or chemicals. With responsible cultivation and processing, the result is often softerand more durablethan its non-organic counterpart.
Linen vs cotton sheets. What’s better?
The choice between linen and cotton is subjective. Both are natural, soft, breathable, hypoallergenic and long-lasting. However, lovers of luxuriously smooth sheets may prefer the feeling of cotton sheets, whereas those who prefer something soft and textured may prefer linen.
Linen vs bamboo sheets. What’s better?
When comparing linen and bamboo, there’s no clear winner. Bamboo may feel softer right out of the box, while linen has a more textured feel that gets softer with use. Both materials are breathable, perfect for all seasons, durable and allergy-friendly. Use your own judgement to determine what sheets are best for you.
Bamboo vs cotton sheets. What’s better?
There’s no picking favourites when it comes to bamboo and cotton — they’re both fantastic choices for sheets. Both bamboo and cotton are naturally hypoallergenic, breathable, soft and strong. Bamboo sheets are incredibly soft and comfortable, making them an easy choice, but if you’d prefer a luxury hotel-like experience, Egyptian cotton or organic cotton sheets may be a better pick for you. It’s up to you.
Where can I find the best bed sheets in Australia?
Finding a reputable sheets company in Australia with decades of trading experience and a large volume of positive reviews can be tough, but they’re certainly out there. Look for brands that align with your values and are honest about their products and processes.
At BeddingCo, what you see is what you get. We put the environment at the forefront of our business and genuinely care about bringing you high-quality sheets. In fact, we offer a 120-day free trial period, so you can send your sheets back if you’re not fully satisfied.
Shop our full collection of luxury BeddingCo sheet sets today.
