The qualities of a good sheet set are as subjective as those of a white t-shirt: One person’s airy linen bedding is another’s scratchy nightmare. Which makes investing in a new one a purchase worth spending some time ruminating over—do you run hot or cold? Aesthetically, do you prefer cozy and lived-in or crisp and hotel-like? And where are you on patterns? Turns out, interior designers are just as picky as we are when it comes to sourcing sheets (for both themselves and their clients), so to settle some questions, we went straight to the pros.
While our panel of experts all turned up different recommendations, there were a few common threads. High-end brands like Sferra and Frette, expensive but designed to last, got multiple mentions. As for the most sought-after material? That distinction belongs to percale, a cool, durable fabric with a matte finish; typically, this is what hotels use to achieve that luxurious feel we’re all trying to replicate post-holiday in our own homes.
Interior Designers’ Favorite Sheets:
Ahead, 10 interior designers share where they buy their favorite sheets—plus, how to style yours like a pro.
Kelly Wearstler
“Frette has been my standard for as long as I can remember. The Classic set has this incredible weight and softness, and it only gets better with time. I always keep the bed simple. The material is the moment.”
Amy Kehoe
“My favorite, go-to sheets are our Nickey Kehoe white cotton sheets. They’re that perfect crisp percale when you first get into bed, and soften with every wash. This set has a beautiful stitch, which is just enough detail and presence. I also love these percale sheets from Coyuchi: They have a soft warmth to them, and a slightly crinkled texture that feels relaxed and easy on the bed.”
Emily Ward & Louisa Pierce, Pierce & Ward
“We love a small scale pattern, which is why we designed the diamond set for our West Elm collaboration. It pairs well with any color, and it’s fun to mix and match with a patterned duvet. A less-expensive alternative we love is Parachute’s percale sheet set in bone. It takes a bit more time to get soft, but it’s lovely, and a cost-efficient option.”
Jeremiah Brent
“I tend to gravitate toward quiet bedding, but for my collectsion with Target I wanted to introduce a bit more variation and dimension… this chalk stripe adds movement, while still feeling restrained. Try styling it with tonal layers: Soft neutrals, an exaggerated lumbar pillow, and a simple coverlet so the stripe reads more like depth than pattern. Most of the year we reach for percale sheets. Something crisp gives the bed that tailored, hotel-like feeling. I love layering Frette’s with textured accents so the bed feels structured yet custom.”
Alice Palmer
“I love Tekla’s Anais cover paired with their percale flat sheet. The simple broderie anglaise detailing feels classic and timeless without being too plain and the crisp, fresh white cotton creates the perfect base for layering color and texture. In my bedroom at home, I’ve styled my sheets with a valance and cushions in our Inverse Palm Grove print, along with a headboard made in the same fabric. The soft green tones work beautifully with the white and add a gentle touch of pattern to the room.”
Anishka Clarke
“The weight of these Rough Linen sheets is perfect—I own several sets. They come in a generous size that extends well beyond deep mattresses. No need to steal the cover from your partner! Linoto is another great mid-priced brand, with a wide range of colors in addition to beautiful neutrals. It’s a Black-owned brand, the linen feels refined, and it’s customizable: We needed custom sizing for a particular project and they were quite amenable.
We tend to keep the styling to a minimum. Style as you would sleep: one to two pillows, though we might add an accent pillow if the room calls for it. Depending on the vibe of the space, we either lean towards fully made-up, with corners tucked in perfectly, or just thrown over the bed for a casual slightly messy look. We may also add an oversized textured blanket when needed.”
Lauren Stern
“I start with a reliable, luxurious base for every bed. I typically select a solid—often a warm white, depending on the room’s palette—from Matouk for soft, durable sheeting; from there, I add layers for visual interest and soul. (King beds are so large, and look best with layers of pillows, varied colors, and rich textures.) Matouk’s Gatsby sheeting, featuring a 1,000 thread count, offers an incredibly soft touch with a modern, tailored aesthetic. It is rare to find such a high thread count in a percale weave, which provides breathability without the ‘heat trap’ of traditional high-count sheets.”
Augusta Hoffman
“I always prefer a crisp white bed in a super luxurious fabric. My very favorite thing to splurge on is a full set of the Giza 45 sateen collectsion from Sferra.”
Merissa Haas
“For my clients who prefer a crisp percale, I often recommend Sferra’s Sereno sheets. They have a crisp yet silky finish, similar to that of a fine Italian men’s shirt. They are incredibly fresh and breathable, which makes them especially lovely in warmer climates like California’s. I also love Society Limonta for their approach to bedding as a layered composition rather than a traditional matching set: Their pieces are designed to be mixed across fabrics, tones, and textures, which allows the bed to evolve seasonally. Airy linens and cottons in warmer months, then richer layers as the weather cools down.
If clients are adventurous, I often encourage them to think about bedding this way. A slightly imperfect mix always feels more relaxed, personal, and beautifully lived-in.”
Alvin Wayne
“I love the crisp, tailored feel of a percale sheet. The organic cotton fabric is cool and breathable, and it only gets softer with each wash. I usually keep the sheets in a neutral tone and layer in texture with pillows and a colorful quilt, so the bed feels polished but still relaxed.”
