We all need plenty of sleep if we are to remain healthy and happy. And when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, it may surprise you to learn that the sheets you choose can be just as important as the bed and the mattress. After all, they come in direct contact with our skin and the quality of materials on offer differs vastly. Indeed, many people can get a little confused by the sheer variety of bedding materials out there and be unsure which to choose.
When it comes to finding your bedding, you can either choose to look around the shops or confine your search to online to begin with. The latter options might be best as it saves you time, there is a greater range to choose from and you can compare prices more easily. Websites such as www.daalshome.co.uk for example, offer a great range of high quality sheets so this might be a good place to start. To help you narrow down your search, you might want to consider your preferences before you start. Here are some of the main areas to think about:
• Materials: Whilst cotton is still the most popular bedding material on the market today, there is now far more choice out there than ever before. The great thing about cotton is that it both traps heat and lets cool air pass through it in the summer, so it’s good for any climate. It can also be blended with other materials such as rayon to alter the weight and feel. Then you have bamboo sheets, which are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their eco-friendliness and anti-bacterial properties. Linen sheets work well in hotter climates because they soak up body heat. Then of course you have a number of manmadefibres which, whilst being cheaper, may not be as effective and will certainly not feel as nice on the skin. Do bear in mind that if you buy sheets of a higher quality material, whilst they may be more expensive they will also last a lot longer.
• Thread Count: Thread count refers to the number of threads in one square inch of fabric. Generally speaking, the higher the thread count the softer the feel of the material and the better overall quality of the sheet (although of course a an Egyptian cotton sheet with a low thread count will still feel softer than a poly-blend sheet with a higher thread count). But the cost does mount up the higher the thread count so it really depends upon what you budget for bedding is.
• Weave: The type of weave you go for really depends upon whether you like you sheets crisp or soft so it’s a personal choice. If you like the former, then go for something like percale weave. If you want something a little more supple then go for sateen. Then there is the flat, ‘jersey’ weave which uses a flat knit to keep the sheets soft but does mean that they can be prone to slippage. Flannel sheets are perfect for keeping you snuggly if you live somewhere cold.
• Fit: Everyone knows how frustrating it is trying to wrestle ill-fitting sheets onto a mattress – and if they are too large they will wrinkle and keep slipping off. Make sure, therefore, that the sheets you buy are the perfect size for your mattress (which means measuring it beforehand). To make things easier, look for features such as elastic edging all the way around the sheet as this will make for a smooth, snug fit. If you have an extra long or king-sized bed then you may find it harder to get sheets for your exact specifications so have a look for stockists that cater for your needs.
• Colour and Pattern: Lastly, you will probably want to think about your aesthetic preferences before beginning your search. Many people like to match the colours of the sheets to the overall colour scheme of their bedroom. Some like plain sheets whilst others favour patterns. If you want you can also buy sheets and pillowcases with fancy hemstitching or pintucks.