As the resident Sleep Editor at Homes & Gardens, I'm often asked: 'do you really need a top sheet?' I can understand your hesitation. A top sheet, also known as a flat sheet, is one more layer to wash and dry and, in the absence of elasticated corners, it often ends up tangled at the bottom of the bed.
Top sheet vs no top sheet is one of the great debates in the bedding industry. Personally, I'm coming out in favor of the flat sheet: I find it keeps my comforter cleaner for longer and it makes me feel like I'm sleeping in a luxury hotel. The best bed sheets are practical, as well as pretty, so you should be able to find a top sheet that works for your set-up.
To help settle the debate, I've asked an expert panel of bedding designers whether or not you really need a top sheet. Don't worry if you encounter any unfamiliar terms: you can always cross-reference against my bedding jargon buster. I'd love to hear your take in the comments below.
Top sheet vs no top sheet − which side are you on?
Before we begin, it always helps to define our terms. I asked Akshay Bahl, CEO founder of luxury bedding and homeware brand Delara Home, to give us an overview of the top sheet debate.
'A top sheet, also known as a flat sheet, is that extra layer between you and your comforter,' Akshay explains. 'Some people love the extra layer: others find it tangles easily or it isn't necessary for good sleep.'
'At Delara, we recommend top sheets for customers who want that hotel bed feeling: crisp, breathable, and polished,' Akshay continues. 'I suggest you try sleeping with and without a top sheet to see what feels best for you.' Many of the best places to buy bedding will give you the option to add or remove a top sheet from your bundle.
Parima Ijaz, CEO and founder of the luxury bedding brand Pure Parima, can think of a lot of benefits of using a top sheet.
'Having a flat sheet between you and your comforter or blanket should absorb most of your body's sweat and oils, keeping your comforter cleaner so you don't have to wash it as often,' says Parima. 'As long as you wash your flat sheet routinely, you can increase the hygiene of your bed and provide an additional layer of sanitary protection.' It's worth learning how to wash bed sheets properly at home.
'Sleeping with a top sheet can also help with temperature flexibility,' Parima continues. 'If you suffer from night sweats, you might choose a percale sheet with cooling properties, which helps to keep your body comfortable all night long. Contrarily, if you are a cold sleeper, you might find that an additional layer in the right material and weave, such as Egyptian cotton sateen, keeps your warmer throughout the night.'
I'm in the middle of testing this bedding bundle and I'd already rank it among the best cooling sheets. The sateen weave feels soft and silky against my skin. I appreciate the oversized fit of the flat sheet for a dramatic drape.
According to our expert tester, Camryn Rabideau, these are some of the best affordable bed sheets on the market. Camryn has a healthy skepticism of celebrity products, but she acknowledges that 'Martha Stewart bedding offers surprisingly soft sheets at unbeatable prices.'
Reigning champions for the title of 'best bed sheets', this sateen sheet set is finished with elegant hemstitching. Available in a wide range of colors, prints and patterns, these sheets could complement any color palette.
Not everybody is on board with the use of flat sheets. Kendra Cosenza, Associate Brand Manager at Mulberry Park Silks, recalls that 'in recent years, the top sheet has become something of a relic. Lots of people have ditched the sheet set in favor of purchasing "a la carte" fitted sheets, comforter and duvet cover separates.'
'Some people abhor the top sheet,' Kendra continues. 'Their reasons vary from disliking getting tangled in it to not liking a tucked-in feel when sleeping. Those who sleep hot may avoid a top sheet because it provides an extra layer of insulation that keeps them too warm at night.'
'Still, some who sleep hot have ditched their comforter entirely in favor of just a top sheet when sleeping,' Kendra reasons. 'As you can see, opinions vary. It's not just a question of top sheet vs no top sheet. Before you buy, it's important to consider the pros and cons of different bed sheet types.'
I asked Tandy Avery, VP of Product Development at the luxury bedding brand LUXOME, how to make a top sheet work for you. Tandy says: 'It starts with the right material. At LUXOME, we use incredibly soft, breathable fabrics like viscose from bamboo that are skin-friendly and drape beautifully.'
'Pairing the right top sheet with the right sleep set-up, whether it's cooling pillows or a breathable blanket, can actually make your entire bed feel more luxurious,' says Tandy.
'Tucking it in loosely at the foot of the bed or sizing up so it has a bit more room to move with you is ideal to keep it in place throughout the night. Overall, it's about creating a sleep environment that feels both indulgent while still being functional for you.'
Meet our experts
Out of all the bedding mistakes I encounter with customers, the biggest one you can make is failing to try new things. If you've never slept with a top sheet, it's worth trying it out before you write it off. I find a top sheet is the best way to bring that hotel bed feeling back home.
