Travan Oversized Queen-Size Bedding, 2-Piece

Is there any more important piece of furniture in the house than your bed? Based on the time you spend there, clearly not. So you won’t want to cover it with just any old set of sheets. What you buy for bedding is almost as important as what kind of bed you buy.

When you’re talking about a queen-size bed, it shouldn’t be too hard to find sheets that fit. The standard measurement for this type of bed is 60 inches wide by 80 inches long. That fits the bill for a number of different sleeping arrangements, since it’s big enough for a single person who wants to stretch out or a couple who doesn’t mind keeping things cozy. Of course, not all queen-size mattresses are created equal. Some may be thicker than others, which means you’ll want a mattress cover with deep “pockets” that allow the sheet to stretch fully over the bed.

Other parts of a basic bedding set include the fitted sheet, pillowcases and duvet or comforter. A duvet will have two pieces: The duvet itself filled with thick, cozy material such as down or feathers, and a cover that can be pulled off for easy washing. A comforter combines the two and is essentially a very thick blanket. You might also need (or just want) other touches like shams (for decorative pillows) or boxspring covers that hang down below the mattress.

Once you’ve found a good fit, you’ll want to research your materials a bit. Bedding manufacturers like to throw a lot of adjectives around when it comes to their fabric, but their sheets are usually made from one of three main materials: Cotton, linen or polyester. Microfiber (which you’ll see advertised on many bedding brands) can be any synthetic fiber that’s woven very thin, but it’s usually polyester.

All have their strengths, and when it comes to affordability, polyester blends will usually win out. When well made, polyester sheets can be quite comfortable and the fabric is definitely the most durable. They also tend to wrinkle less than cotton sheets, though cotton is hands down the best for those who suffer from allergies. Cotton also has a softer feel on the skin and has moisture-wicking properties that will help you stay warm without soaking the bed in sweat. With it’s thicker thread, linen is woven to last, and can be very breathable. While it does tend to wrinkle, nothing beats the look of pressed linen when you can give it a little TLC.

Whatever material you choose, the weave will have a big effect on how it feels. Most sheets are either percale or sateen, and percale is the more traditional weave. Threads are woven simply, one over the other, and the result is a soft yet textured feel. If you like smoother, silkier sheets, go with a sateen weave where the threads are laid unevenly, four-over-one. This works especially well with cotton.

Stitching is also important, especially when it comes to your duvet or comforter. Nice, fluffy wool is great, but it’s enhanced by box stitching which helps make sure the stuffing is spread out evenly. Some decorative stitching will also go a long way for your pillow shams and boxspring cover. Remember, you want your bed to look as inviting as it feels.

You’re likely to see bedding manufacturers boast about the high thread count of their sheets without telling you what that means or why it matters. Long story short: It doesn’t actually matter all that much. Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into the fabric per square inch, and while you certainly don’t want anything with a count below 100, super-high numbers don’t equate to a comfier or more durable sheet. As long your material has a halfway decent weave, you can find sheets with a count of 250 that feel just as luxurious as those with 1000.