A Luxury Sheets Guide

When you are looking for luxury sheets for your bed or a guest bed that you may be fitting, it is important to think about how you plan on using them. Not for sleeping, we know that. More to the point, what type of arrangement do you hope to create for yourself or your guests. This is the most important thing to discover or understand about what you want to create going in. Also, there are different definitions of luxury bedding. What may be luxurious to some is simply normal for you. Take, for example, flannel sheets. Now, these are not necessarily considered luxury by most standards. But, if you define luxury in terms of comfort, pleasing sleep conditions and looks, then flannel certainly could be in this category.

However, there are some more well heeled bedding ensembles that we will discuss here that are more classic representations of luxury bedding as well as some more contemporary styles. In the classic category, we have such bed sheets as the satins and silks. We will also touch upon thread count and what that means, as well as some more environmentally friendly sheets and how these fit into the luxury category. Typically, we wouldn't put 'green sheets' in the luxury category, they seem to be at odds with one another intellectually. However, after reading this, you'll see how these natural bedding choices are in fact luxurious.

Luxury bedding is more of a statement about what your bed and sleeping represent to you. Fads come and go in terms of what type of mattress and bed makes someone feel like they are living high on the hog. For example, there were times when a waterbed was the 'in' mattress to have. Slightly later, the Japanese futon took over. Eventually, the mattresses started having pillow tops, larger sizes, and a variety of other memory foams, individually controllable air pressure devices and more. In keeping with a G-rated version here, we will say that luxury is defined in terms of how you feel when sleeping or 'laying' between these sheets. What makes them feel smooth and cozy has to do with the quality of the materials and the craftsmanship that goes into making them.

For the most part, a higher thread count means better quality sheets and a smoother feel. Thread count simply means how many threads per square inch as the measurement. For example, you will see numbers like 400 thread count, 1,000 thread count, etc. In this case, 1,000 thread count sheets would have a much smoother feel and tighter pattern to them. Most common sheets are made with cotton. This fabric is the material of choice for its workability, performance and washing properties.

Another type of quality bedding includes Egyptian cotton sheets. These sheets, like their name suggests, are made from cotton that has been grown and harvested from Egypt. For its silkier feel and sensation on the skin, it is traditionally recognized as a higher quality material. Again, the higher thread count sheets will often employ Egyptian cotton because of its legendary feel as well.

There is yet a different name for some other luxurious feeling sheets.  The term Percale sheets refers not to a type of cotton but to the type of pattern woven by the threads.  This tightly woven pattern, more than 200 threads per inch, gives these sheets a nice feel and comfort. 

Now, let's talk about some even smoother feeling sheets. In this section, let's talk about some silk and satin sheets. These sheets just conjure up images of - again G-rated - passion and intimacy. This is because they feel so wonderful on the skin. Just look at those red silk sheets and your beautiful lady in waiting, irresistible, right? Exactly the point. Luxury brings into the bedroom an air of elegance and opulence. We all want to feel that we can afford the best and most beautiful things in life. These types of sheets give us that feeling. Because of the materials used, silk will cost a pretty penny, so you would probably use them on special occasions and not for your everyday sleeping arrangements. However, if you want to feel like you are living in the lap of luxury each night as you rest your head, then by all means get those silk sheets.

Now, let's talk about some unconventional or modern takes on the term luxury when it comes to the bedroom. There is and has been for some time to get a more environmentally friendly and responsible position in the world. This involves the foods we eat, the cars we drive, our home and landscape designs, as well as our interior decorating and needs detail. In this case, this same environmentally friendly attitude can be taken to the bedroom and to our bedding. Natural bedding or organic bedding as it is sometimes referred, is great for us on many levels. It is considered a luxury both because of its higher cost and its health benefits. If we think about the basic sheet as a 'necessity', then natural bedding like organic and these other green sheets are certainly worthy of the luxury title. These fabrics may also be cottons, but they are likely to be organically grown and manufactured in a way that uses only natural dyes or non-toxic substances. For these reasons, you can be assured that what you lay your head down on each night is as clean as nature intended. These are great options for baby bedding and children's beds. Another interesting player in this natural department is bamboo sheets. These are a relatively newer material to bedding and clothing. Because of its ability to be harvested and grow rapidly, it is a renewable resource. This makes it environmentally friendly. It is 'biologically' friendly because it has some natural antimicrobial properties that make it a great choice for bedding.

To sum up this introduction to luxury sheets, remember that it is often the mindset you have regarding luxury that determines the types of sheets you end up choosing. Also, if these sheets are for your bedroom, then you know what will or will not be pleasing. However, if you are buying some new sheets to make some guests feel more welcomed or to give them a luxury hotel type of feeling when staying with you, you might want to find out if they would like to sleep on those black satin sheets you have in mind. Below you can see some samples of what is available and the prices for some finds from Amazon and Ebay. Just something to keep in mind, sweet dreams.

Futon Beds

You can learn a little more about how futons are made and what types of styles are available and why they are making such a big comeback.

Futon Mattresses

These unique types of mattresses stepped in where the waterbed left off in some respects. The trend toward more functional bedding and sleep arrangements definitely stops with the futon. THe futon is the go to choice for flexibility and comfort, learn why.

Asian Bedding

This asian bedding site not only gives information regarding this particular style of bedding, but also Asian-inspired ideas for your bedroom.