'Bamboo has similar benefits to sateen,' says Bed, Bath & Beyond. 'It provides a silky smooth sensation and tends to be cooler to the touch than cotton. However, bamboo tends to be more expensive and requires more careful cleaning.'

Percale sheets (pronounced “per-kail”) are made with cotton. These have a plain weave — one yarn over, one yarn under — that creates a matte, crisp finish. These sheets get softer with each wash and are best for hot sleepers and warm weather. They aren’t wrinkle-resistant, so it’s best to remove them from the dryer immediately following the end of the cycle. 

Having the right sheets can help you catch those much-needed zzz’s — not to mention increase that deep sleep we’re all after — so we’ve compiled all the information you need to make an informed decision on sheet-buying, without having to do all the research yourself. Learn to pick the right sheets for your perfect night of sleep.

One of the most popular sham sizes, the “Euro” Sham, measures 26 x 26.” Also known as a European or Continental sham, this decorative pillow is part of the main bed-scape, or “top of bed.” As part of the decorative look, Euro shams can have man different types of closures, and are meant more for propping yourself up in bed. A Queen bed typically has Euro shams, but a King bed needs 3 Euro shams to proportionately fill the bed’s width.

What is Cotton?

A coverlet is a decorative fabric covering that does not touch the floor and normally does not cover the pillows. Woven coverlets and quilts fall into this category. These are normally bed accents and they can sit on top of bedspreads. If you think of hotel room bedding, these can also be found at the foot of the bed used like foot runners.