Luxury Linens for the BED, BATH and TABLE

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February 2, 2023

What is the Best Thread Count for Sheets?

What is the Best Thread Count for Sheets

When you experience the undeniable luxury of sleeping on a bed made up with high-quality bed sheets, you will never go back to using ordinary bedding again. While there is an extensive list of features to consider when selecting quality bed sheets, the one that comes up most often is thread count. Most webiste articles will say that the best thread count for sheets typically ranges from 200 to 800. However, comfort isn’t solely determined by thread count; fabric quality is equally important.

Thankfully, finding the best quality products has never been easier with the advice and recommendations of experienced and highly-renowned linen specialist, Liz Barbatelli. As President and Owner of E. Braun & Co. in Los Angeles, Liz carefully selects from a variety of styles and colors to create luxurious and inviting settings that reflect the personality of the client. She provides dedicated and personalized services to her clientele and strives to curate unrivaled linens of the highest quality for bed, bath, and table.

Let’s take a deeper look at what truly makes the best thread count for bed sheets: 

What Does Thread Count Mean? 

Thread count is the measurement of the number of threads woven – vertically and horizontally – into one square inch of fabric, and how tightly woven the fabric is. This is calculated by adding the threads together. For example, a cotton sheet with 200 vertical warp threads and 200 horizontal weft threads in each square inch of fabric would have a total thread count of 400.

Thread count can also be used as an indicator of the softness and feel of a fabric, but keep in mind that, generally, the higher the thread count, the warmer the sheeting will be.

Is A High Thread Count Better?

It is often marketed that a higher thread count can be an indication of a higher quality product, but this is not always accurate. 

Thread count reflects how many threads are woven per square inch, which can deepen the density of the sheets, making them more dense and thereby thicker and warmer depending on the weave used. Warm sleepers may prefer a lower thread count of a sateen or percale for a more breathable and cooler rest, whereas a higher thread count sateen creates a silkier and cozier experience, which may be considered warmer to some. 

While a high thread count can be a useful way to determine the quality of your bed sheets, it is not the only feature to consider. Luxury bed linens have a premium quality to them, which comes not only from the thread count but also the quality of the yarn, or threads, used and their source. 

Ask yourself these questions during your search: Does it have an optimum thread count made by a good weaver using high-quality yarns? 

Does the weave offer the experience and feel you’re after?

Read on to learn which thread count is best for each sheet material and other factors to look for when finding the perfect set of sheets for your sleeping pleasures. 

What’s The “Best” Thread Count For Each Sheet Material?

When finding the ideal sheets for your bed, consider the thread count that will best optimize your moments of rest and relaxation. Where one might think a higher thread count is the smoothest and most luxurious, another may find it too hot for sleeping under. If you are not sure what to look for in terms of thread count, consider Liz’s expert advice and recommendations for the different material choices available:

  • 100% Cotton: Cotton is the most popular choice of fabrics, noted for its comfort and natural moisture-wicking properties. Egyptian cotton has prevailed as the finest of pure indulgence, but Supima, often grown right here in the USA, is a superior and longer staple fiber. Both provide supreme comfort and luxury every time you crawl into bed. If choosing to go with cotton, look for Egyptian or Supima, both of which are classified as extra-long staple cotton, with a minimum of 300 thread count. Thread counts can go as high as 1000 threads – choose the one that feels the best to you based on density and smoothness. 

    When selecting the best quality cotton sheeting for yourself, you must consider the weave of the fabric. Either is good and is strictly a personal preference. 

    • Percale Weave: Percale is woven by placing one yarn over and one yarn under repeatedly creating a simple, lightweight, and smooth fabric. It is exceptionally long-wearing and has a crisp and cool feel, making it an acceptable choice for warmer seasons or for those who get too warm during the night. When looking for high-quality percale sheets, choose one with a thread count of anywhere between 400 and 800, depending on the comfort and feel you prefer. 

    • Sateen Weave: Sateen fabric is created using the process of placing four yarns over one single yarn. This style of weave produces a very soft, lustrous feel, with a silky, glossy finish. A thread count of 300 up to 1020 is sufficient for sateen sheets because when made with the best quality yarns at a high quality weaver, the fabric it creates is always a luxurious and comforting experience.
  • 100% Bamboo: Bamboo makes both a sustainable and enjoyable fabric for bed sheets, as it feels softer than linen and silkier than cotton. It is naturally hypoallergenic, and is exceptionally breathable. If going with bamboo as your fabric of choice, consider sheets from a quality manufacturer for the best resting experience. 

When Thread Count Can Be Ignored

Not all high-quality fabrics are determined by their thread count. See when thread count is irrelevant in your bed sheet search and why these materials still make an indulgent and excellent choice:

  • Linen: Thread count is not a useful determinant for quality linen bed sheets. Quality linen sheets are available in different qualities and weight of sheeting fabric. Some linen fabric may be thicker, making it durable and crisper, while extra high quality linen creates an undeniably soft sheet. Like cotton sheeting, the quality of linen sheeting is a highly personal preference. Instead, when shopping for linen sheets, look for ones that work best for you based on weight, softness, and style. 
  • Silk: Known to be one of the softest and most resplendent materials in the world, silk is a luxurious material that can provide the ultimate sleeping experience. The density of silk is measured by momme or the grams per square meter of fabric. Most silk bed linens range between 19 to 22 momme, which is equivalent to a thread count of 400 to 600. Though silk is incredibly soft, there may be a commitment to care that is higher than other sheeting fabrics. One factor to consider is that silk sheeting may not breathe as well as cotton and linen. On the other hand, silk shams or pillowcases are said to help preserve your hair and skin, making indulgent beauty rest truly possible.
  • Flannel and Knit Fabrics: Thread count is not an indicator of quality for flannel sheets. While flannel may be a less universal choice, it can be a snug option to have on hand when the moment is right. Cotton sheets with a flannel or knit weave using a brushed finish create an added coziness, perfect for cool fall evenings or cold weather nights. 

What is the Best Thread Count for Sheets

What Qualities Make for Good Sheets

How to Judge the Quality of Sheets?

Having high-quality, luxury bed sheets does more than simply make you look forward to every end of the day. Beyond aesthetics, your chosen fabrics and thread count should reflect your sleeping habits and comfort preferences. Here are a few other characteristics to consider beyond thread count when shopping for high-quality bed sheets: 

Fabric: High-quality fabrics go the distance, while standard fabrics of lower quality may need to be replaced more frequently. Some fabrics require more commitment to care than others, as well. Determine the fabric that is best for you by asking these questions:

Was the fabric sourced from Italy or a country known for weaving high quality sheeting?

Was the fabric made by artisans and weavers known for creating a quality product?

Brand/Source: Knowing who and where your luxury bed sheets came from can ensure that you are receiving the best customer service and quality products from a brand that you can trust. 

Before you buy, ask yourself these questions:

Does the brand have a good reputation for high quality?

From where are the materials sourced? 

What are the Best Sheets to Buy According to Linens Stylist, Liz Barbatelli

Whether you prefer a buttery soft feel or a material so light-weight and airy that it feels like a part of you, there is a perfect bed sheet out there for everyone. If you’re looking to elevate your home, Liz Barbatelli offers her expertise and mastery of linen experiences to select and share the best bed linens on the market. 

Sateen  – E. Braun & Co. Giotto Sateen Collection: Take a page from those in the know and elevate any sleeping space with the unparalleled 600 thread count specially certified Supima cotton sateen sheets by E. Braun & Co., grown in the USA, woven by Italian craftsmen and finished with a baby hemstitch called Punto Parigi. 

Percale – Matouk Lowell Collection: This collection is Matouk’s best-selling iconic style, an excellent addition to any modern bedroom. Lowell sheets are 600 thread count Egyptian cotton percale with a one-inch Nocturne sateen tape border in 31 color variations.

Flannel – The Company Store – Legends Luxury™ Flannel Collection: Experience the coziest sleep with the Legends Luxury Flannel collection from The Company Store. Made by master Portugal weavers, these hand-crafted cotton flannel sheets are made for cold winter nights and get softer over time, creating a velvety feel. The collection is available in ten muted solid colors.

Silk – 30 Momme Silk Sheet Set: When it comes to premium silk linens, Mulberry Park Silks is one brand to consider. These 30-momme weight sheets are made from 100% Grade 6A silk. The ivory linens are stunning in every room, bringing an eye-catching luminosity to the aesthetic of the space while delivering exquisite comfort.

For more of Liz’s recommendations, read her article on the 20 Best Bed Linens.

To make your home curating experience even more enjoyable, please visit E. Braun & Co Beverly Hills’ website, where you are invited to explore a dreamscape of comfort, repose, and intimacy. Here, you will find all of your bed linen needs, from the most soothing sheets to the most sumptuous pillows and comforters. Acclaimed design expert and fine linen stylist Liz Barbatelli offers expert guidance and a customized client journey to help you find the best bed linens for your home. Discover more about Liz’s experience and artful approach to designing and curating timeless luxury environments on her website.

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BORN FROM PASSION

A love of linens is innate in my being. There's no greater comfort than beautiful Supima cotton bedding, 100% Giza cotton towels, and gathering family and friends around the dining room table dressed to perfection with linen napkins and festive settings.”

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“A love of linens is innate in my being. There's no greater comfort than beautiful bedding, 100% cotton towels, gathering family around the dining room table, dressed to perfection with linen napkins and festive settings.”

LIZ BARBATELLI
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