Your Guide to the Types of Bed Sheets

Picking a bed sheet type doesn’t have to be complicated.

If there’s one thing that’s true about bed sheets — and sleep in general — it’s all incredibly personal. The right bed sheets for one person might make another feel suffocated, and that’s okay! That’s why it’s so important to understand the types of sheets and what you like — after all, that’s the key to a great night’s sleep, which is essentially the key to a great day, too.

Whether you’re a hot sleeper, a cool sleeper, a chronic napper or something totally different, the right bed sheets do exist for you. By diving a little deeper into the science and makeup of the bed sheets you’re looking at, you can be sure to choose the right pair for you. Here’s what you need to know about the different types of bed sheets.

What to look for when buying bed sheets

When you’re looking for bed sheets, there are a lot of terms that you’ll see… and they’re hard to make sense of. From high thread count to wrinkle-resistant to plain weave, it’s essentially a vocabulary lesson once you start shopping. However, there’s really just one thing you need to know — and it’s that whether you choose linen sheets, sateen sheets or silk sheets doesn’t matter. What does matter? That they feel good to you. It’s that simple.

When looking for bed sheets, we’d recommend always paying attention to a few things: whether or not they’re environmentally friendly (you will be sleeping on them, after all!), the way they trap body heat and the finish of the bed sheets themselves. A hot sleeper, for instance, is likely going to prefer a crisper sheet, while a cool sleeper might want a softer, warmer sheet. 

You’ll also want to look for sheets that are going to stand the test of time, meaning that you may want to stay away from materials like polyester sheets and instead go towards sheets made of linen, sateen, or cotton. When you pick your bed sheets right, you can trust that you’ll have them for years… so a little bit of intentionality can really go a long way.

The types of bed sheets at Skylark+Owl

At Skylark+Owl Linen Co., we’re proud purveyors of all types of bed sheets: flannel, sateen, linen and percale. Here’s what you need to know about the types of bed sheets we offer so that you can pick the right collection for your dreamland visits:

Flannel Sheets

At Skylark+Owl, our flannel sheets are crafted in northern Portugal by textile experts who care for your comfort as much as you do — and the organic sheets are also certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard, meaning that they’re as environmentally friendly as they are soft. Warm flannel sheets are the ultimate colder-weather (and cool sleeper) pick. The velvety touch of flannel makes these sheets a great choice for the winter… but they’re also a year-round option for people who sleep cold.

How to care for flannel sheets: Wash in cool water, either alone or with items of a similar colour and fabric, and tumble dry on low heat only. Avoid using harsh chemicals.

Refined Sateen and Washed Sateen Sheets

Luxurious and smooth, sateen sheets are the type of bed sheet you’ll want if you’re looking for a luxe finish that strikes the perfect balance between cool and warm. Made with cotton, sateen sheets have a luminous finish that feels lovely on the skin, and they're an all-around great choice for any sleeper. At Skylark+Owl, our sateen sheets come in two finishes: sateen and washed sateen. Our Washed Sateen collection goes through an additional garment washing process for extra softness. 

How to care for sateen sheets: Wash in cool water, either alone or with items of a similar colour and fabric, and tumble dry on low heat only. Avoid using harsh chemicals. 

Linen Sheets

Light and breathable, linen sheets are the types of bed sheets you’ll want for a relaxed finish that’s remarkably cooling and perfectly crinkled. Made with flax, our linen sheets are garment washed to feel soft to the touch that very first night, and get even softer with use! Linen sheets are a great choice for those who sleep hot year-round and are a perfect pick for warmer climates as well. At Skylark+Owl, our 100% flax linen sheets are made in Portugal and certified by Oeko-Tex to be free of harmful chemicals.

How to care for linen sheets: Machine wash in warm water on a gentle cycle, either alone or with items of a similar colour and fabric. Line dry or tumble dry on low heat only. Avoid using harsh chemicals. 

Essential Percale and Washed Percale Sheets

Classic and crisp, percale sheets are the go-to bed sheet for every sleeper, as they manage to strike the perfect temperature balance. Made with cotton, percale sheets have a matte finish that stands the test of time as a cozy, breathable option. At Skylark+Owl, our 100% Egyptian cotton percale sheets come in two finishes: classic percale and washed percale, which undergoes an additional garment washing process for extra softness.

How to care for percale sheets: Wash in cool water, either alone or with items of a similar colour and fabric, and tumble dry on low heat only. Avoid using harsh chemicals. 

How to care for bed sheets

When you pick the types of bed sheets that are the best for you, caring for them is key to making sure they last for many, many nights of sleep. While bed sheets care instructions may differ slightly for each type of bed sheet, follow these general rules of thumb for care:

• Machine wash in cool to warm water (not hot!), and use the gentle cycle where you can
• Avoid washing any bed sheets with materials that could snag or pill on the fabric
• Always wash bed sheets with items of a similar colour and material, if not by themselves
• Tumble dry on low to medium heat, and always pull the bed sheets out of the dryer promptly
• Wash bed sheets regularly

And, there you have it — our guide to picking the right types of bed sheets! Always remember, it’s more about personal preference than anything else. Lucky for you, we have types of bed sheets for every sleeper at Skylark+Owl Linen Co.

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