Between the Sheets

These last couple years have been doozies, to say the least. How many of us would like to go to sleep and wake up to learn it’s all been a dream? (Sign me up!)

While that’s not going to happen, we can strive to go to sleep easily, sleep well and have good dreams. And it helps to start with high-quality bedding. Or more precisely, luxury linens. We’re going to break it all down—how to achieve a beautiful bed that’s also a soothing place to sleep; how to choose the right material; and how to apply some quick tips that will help along the way.

Orange, pink, and grey yarns combine to create this elegant sateen jacquard duvet cover and shams. (Pienza collection with Fiona sateen sheets, from Sferra)

BALANCE AESTHETICS & COMFORT
We want our bedrooms to be our sanctuaries, so start with the idea that your linens can be the canvas on which you build that sanctuary. As Michelle Klein, CEO of Italian luxury lifestyle brand SFERRA, puts it, “We firmly believe that [people] should not have to choose between comfort and aesthetics; these should go hand in hand.” So how do you do it?

Invest in luxury bedding. It’ll look good and feel good. This may mean exploring different luxury linen retailers to find the right one for you, but Klein offers this tidbit: “To me, what constitutes luxury is quality and craftsmanship.” Craftsmanship equates to the artistry and the precision of the work that goes into producing the linens. And quality materials include things like linen, silk, Egyptian cotton, satin, bamboo or other organic materials, as well as lustrous sateen and percale weave fabrics.

These cotton sateen sheets have a gorgeous sheen and are available in a variety of hand-mixed hues. (Bria from Bella Note Linens)

Find a retailer with a range of colors and textures to choose from so that you cannot only enhance your bedroom’s décor but also create a personal haven. “Textural geometric patterns continue to stand out as being important in design,” explains Klein. While textured linen bed sheets offer a luxurious feel, any kind of texture can provide a more pleasant (and sensory) sleep experience.

Choose calming colors. Soothe your soul with cool hues such as blues and nature-inspired greens, as well as soft neutrals. You can never go wrong with a soft white. Lighter colors make spaces feel more open and airy, and fortunately, this spring’s color trends are on track to visually open up our bedrooms. “Blush tones accented with greys and neutrals round out our palette for spring,” says Klein.

These sheets are made of cotton which is grown in the Nile river valley, and woven by master craftsmen in Italy. (Giza from Sferra)

CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERIAL
Struggling to narrow down which type of material to purchase? Given that there’s a seemingly endless array of options, this is understandable. Start by asking yourself some questions.

How do you sleep? If you tend to get warm at night, a crisp percale would likely make you the most comfortable. Silk too has an airy feel, and linen traps very little heat and is thus quite breathable. Cooler sleepers would do well to go with sateen sheets, though the ever-versatile linen can also be cozy for those who tend to get a chill at night.

This smooth Italian-woven percale features a sateen applique band to create a modern look. (Orlo from Sferra)

What season is it? In warmer months, smooth percales are sought after, but “If you are looking to have a warmer sleep for the cooler fall and winter months, sateens work well,” says Klein, “and layering the bed with a nice blanket and/or coverlet is always a nice touch, both in terms of comfort and aesthetics.”

Do you care about thread count? You probably shouldn’t. What matters more is the quality of the thread itself and the length of the bedding’s fibers. Extra-long fibers equate to finer linens and as such will be labeled as “long-staple.” At the very least, don’t rely on thread count alone. Weave is another important factor, and percale and sateen are among the most popular weaves, given their softness.

A pique border and velvet ribbon accent adorn sateen sheets. (Celerie Kemble Calypso Peacock by Eastern Accents)

TAKE NOTE OF THESE BUYING TIPS
Touch and feel, if possible. You’re crawling between the sheets every night and spending (hopefully!) at least 8 hours there, so make sure the material feels great on your skin. If you’re shopping online, see if there’s an option to go to the store to see and feel the product before you buy it.

Go big. Today’s mattresses have more depth than those in the past (and many have feather tops), so consider going up a size when it comes to blankets, duvets or comforters. If you have a queen bed, for example, you might want to get a bit more coverage with the king-size version of these items.

Think sustainable. Many of today’s consumers are keen on eco-friendly fabrics, and if this is you, there are a number of brands that offer organic and even recycled linens that can help promote sustainability and sound sleep.

For truly wonderful sleep that will make you never want to get out of bed, the first step is to explore luxury linens. So what are you waiting for? Deep sleep awaits.