If you're looking to transform your bedroom into a place of ultimate zen, you need the right sheets. The most luxurious sheets make crawling into bed at night feel like you're at a five-star hotel, and that's a moment of bliss everyone deserves — especially since we spend so much time in bed.
But with so many different high-end bedding options available today, it can be hard knowing where to begin. Do you go for Supima cotton or Mulberry silk? Does thread count matter or is it overhyped? According to Consumer Reports, the optimal thread count is around 400, and there's really no need to spend money going beyond that. However, the kind of fabric does matter — the key is knowing what makes any given material, from silk to flannel to linen, the most luxurious in its class.
What Makes A Material Premium?
For comfortable cotton sheets, look for those made with long-staple cotton (Pima, Supima, and Egyptian cotton are well-known examples). From there, it's all about the weave: If you prefer cool, crisp sheets, percale is the only way to go, but if you want soft, smooth sheets, a sateen finish will feel dreamy.
For sumptuous silk sheets, the highest quality silk is Mulberry, which is produced by worms only fed Mulberry leaves, and make sure you're seeing a momme (or weight) of at least 19 for strength and quality. For ultra-breathable linen, you'll find that the best sets come from organic flax plants. And if you're looking for warmth, you can't go wrong with a Portuguese flannel sheet, made with long-staple cotton, that's brushed to reduce pilling.
A Note on Natural Sheets
If organic is a priority for you, look for a GOTS-certification, which ensures that all materials meet ecological and social criteria. Also look for those with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 rating, which means every material used in the sheets, from the dyes and yarns to sewing threads and labels, are free of any harmful chemicals or toxins.
Once you've settled on the right material for you, it's time to shop. The luxurious bed sheets below are all highly rated on Amazon and have fans raving about them.