How to Buy Sheets to Fit a Pillow-Top Mattress Published April 29, 2010 | Updated June 11, 2015 Everyone knows that pillow-top mattresses are designed for additional softness and comfort. Due to the padding, pillow-top mattresses have more depth than regular mattresses. The height of the padding varies, but generally, manufacturers make pillow-top mattresses in depths varying from 7 to 22 inches. Specially made deep-pocket sheets for pillow-top mattresses are available; however, it is important to know the depth of your mattress before purchasing sheets. Here's how to buy the best sheets to fit your pillow-top mattress. Shop Deep-Pocket Sheets ▸ Take MeasurementsPlace a piece of cardboard between the mattress and the box spring. Place a second piece of cardboard on top of the mattress. Measure the distance between the pieces of cardboard. This is the depth of your pillow-top mattress. Search for the SheetsSearch for sheets in the size of your pillow-top mattress.
Sheet sizes are available in twin, twin-XL, full, queen, California king, and king. It's important to get the sheets that are meant for your exact mattress; twin-XL mattresses are longer than twin mattresses, and California king mattresses are longer than king mattresses. Choose a Type of Fabric and Thread CountThe higher the thread count, the smoother the sheets will be, but that can come with a higher price tag. Bed sheets are available in a variety of fabrics, from cotton to satin. A current trend is microfiber sheets, which have the feel of high-thread-count sheets but at a lower price point. Shop for Deep-Pocket SheetsDeep-pocket sheets are meant for pillow-top mattresses and are available in three depths: 7 inches to 14 inches (standard), 15 inches (deep), and 16 inches to 22 inches (extra deep). Find Fitted SheetsFitted sheets have elastic on the sides that hold the sheets in place. They're available with elastic on all four sides, elastic on the four corners, or elastic on two sides.
Sheets with elastic on all four sides fit pillow-top mattresses better. Consider Other OptionsIf you are unable to find fitted sheets with the appropriate depth, consider using straps with sheets for regular mattresses. Straps on each of the four corners will keep the sheets in place. You can also use flat sheets that are one size larger than your pillow-top mattress and tuck the sides under the mattress. More Than You Want To Know You need to buy this mattress Fashionable and elegant, but beauty is pain! Showing 1 - 14 Satin Luxury Deep Pocket Full Sheet Set in Red Bedding > Bedding > Sheet Sets Sheets & Pillowcases > Sheets & Pillowcases Wamsutta® 620-Thread-Count Egyptian Cotton Deep Pocket Queen Sheet Set in White Diamond FULL, CAL KING, QUEEN, KING Tribeca Living 750-Thread-Count Cotton Sateen Deep-Pocket Queen Sheet Set in Navy Blue taupe, bone, white, navy/blue, ivory, chocolate Wamsutta® 620 Egyptian Cotton Deep Pocket Queen Sheet Set in Ivory
metal, blue jean, silver, emerald, navy, merlot, aqua, light blue, honey, ivory, white, charcoal, sage, canvas, rust KING, CAL KING, TWIN XL, QUEEN, TWIN, FULL Wamsutta® 620-Thread-Count Egyptian Cotton Deep Pocket Queen Sheet Set in White Stripe QUEEN, KING, FULL, CAL KING Wamsutta® 620 Egyptian Cotton Deep Pocket Queen Sheet Set in White Designer Picks > Real Simple > Holiday Hostess Real Simple > All Real Simple 600-Thread-Count Cotton Sateen Queen Fitted Sheet ivory, white, blue jean, taupe 14" DEEP, 15" DEEP, 19" DEEP, 21" DEEP, 10" DEEP, 11" DEEP, 12" DEEP, 13" DEEP, 16" DEEP, 22" DEEP, 18" DEEP, 17" DEEP, 20" DEEP Wamsutta® Finest Sateen 725-Thread-Count Queen Deep Pocket Fitted Sheet in Taupe Registry Favorites > All Registry Favorites > Bed & Bath taupe, pink, light blue, white, navy, ivory, grey, chocolate, silver, sage CAL KING, QUEEN, Twin, FULL, KING, TWIN XL
All Natural Cotton 400-Thread-Count King Sheet Set Bedding > Bedding > Sheets & Pillowcases 300-Thread-Count Queen Deep Pocket Sheet Set in Ivory Bedding > Sheets & Pillowcases burgundy, blue, sage, mauve, coco, taupe, ivory FULL, KING, CAL KING, TWIN, QUEEN Robin Wilson Home 500-Thread-Count Deep Pocket Sheet Set blue, fawn, gold, burgundy, sage, lilac CAL KING, KING, QUEEN, FULL 400-Thread-Count 60-Inch x 80-Inch with 10-Inch Deep-Pocket Queen Fitted Sheet in Light Blue taupe, light blue, grey, white 18" DEEP, 22" DEEP, 21" DEEP, 16" DEEP, 20" DEEP, 19" DEEP, 13" DEEP, 17" DEEP, 15" DEEP, 14" DEEP, 10" DEEP, 11" DEEP, 12" DEEP Tribeca Living Casablanca 300-Thread-Count Premium Cotton Deep Pocket Sheet Set Bedding > Bedding > Duvet Covers QUEEN, KING, CAL KING, TWIN, TWIN XL, FULL 250-Thread-Count 60-Inch x 80-Inch with 10-Inch Deep-Pocket Cotton Queen Fitted Sheet in Ivory
17" DEEP, 22" DEEP, 13" DEEP, 12" DEEP, 21" DEEP, 11" DEEP, 16" DEEP, 10" DEEP, 19" DEEP, 18" DEEP, 15" DEEP, 14" DEEP, 20" DEEP Where To Find Sheets for 8-10" Mattresses? Q: We've owned a Tempurpedic mattress for a while now and love it. The only problem is that we can't find sheets that have narrow enough pockets to fit it tightly. Almost all bed sheets these days are made for the extra deep pillow top mattresses that are 15"+ thick. Our mattress is 9" thick and all of our sheets are bunching up and falling off of it. Outside of having expensive custom linens made, do you or your readers know of a good source for nice sheets made for 8-10" mattresses? Editor: Leave your suggestions for Catherine in the comments - thanks! • Got a question? Send us yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first) Get a good night's sleep on pretty and practical bed linens. Learn how to buy bed sheets and pillowcases for your bedroom.
Share your take on this idea!Upload your photo here. Combined with pillows and top coverings, sheets both practical and pretty refresh a room for an easy makeover. Crisp white sheets never go out of style. Sheets in colors, prints, and patterns are easy to find in all sizes and price ranges. Frequent washing tends to fade colors on budget-price sheets. Here are some additional sheet terms and facts to keep in mind. BONUS: After you buy bed sheets, learn how to care for them so they stay in tip-top shape. Thread count refers to the number of threads woven into 1 square inch of fabric. Why does it matter? The higher the thread count, the softer and smoother the sheets will be. Thread count also determines whether a sheet is muslin or percale. Sheets with a thread count of 140-180 are muslin. Everything higher is percale. The most common percale sheets have thread counts of 180-200. Higher-quality sheets have a 250-300 thread count and feel silky to the touch. Sheets with a high thread count (300-400) are considered luxury quality.
Look for a minimum thread count of 200 when selecting sheets. When buying cotton-polyester blend sheets, choose a thread count of 220 or more. Expect to pay more for higher thread counts, because it takes more finely spun threads to make them. For comfort and durability, cotton is still king. Want a natural, breathable fabric? Choose 100 percent cotton. If you are allergic to dyes and chemicals, look for sheets made from organically grown, natural, undyed cotton fibers. Flannel, muslin, oxford, percale, and sateen weaves are most commonly used for cotton sheets. Percale, which is tightly woven, is still a basic weave for sheets, as is sateen. Muslin sheets come at a lower price point than percale because prices are typically based on thread counts. Look for wrinkle-resistant cotton sheets as an alternative to stiff cotton-polyester blends. Machine-washable, combed-cotton percale with a thread count of 200-250 will provide long wear. 50 percent cotton/50 percent polyester sheets resist wrinkling but can be stiff.
The 60 percent cotton/40 percent polyester blend is another option. Look for a high thread count (above 220) to ensure quality in cotton-polyester blends. Silk satin sheets are ideal for cold climates because the material traps warmth. These sheets feel smooth and luxurious, but they are expensive and must be dry-cleaned. Avoid satin-style sheets made of polyester; they feel scratchy against the skin. Cotton jersey knit is made from the same breathable fabric as cotton T-shirts and is comfortable year-round. Dark colors and patterns tend to fade, however. Linen, which is ideal for hot climates, is considered the finest sheet fabric. Fine linen sheets last for decades, making them a worthwhile investment. Editor's Tip: Not sure which fabric is best for you? Buy a pair of pillowcases and see how you like them before committing to a complete set of sheets. Getting ready to shop for sheets? Start by carefully measuring the mattress. Mattress sizes can vary, and you want to make sure you're getting the right size for your bed.
Write down your mattress dimensions, measuring from head to foot, side to side, and top to bottom (mattress thickness). That way you'll know exactly what you need. These are the standard sheet sizes, listed in inches, for typical mattress options. Twin Bed: As the smallest mattress, the twin is usually meant for one person. Twin flat sheet: 66x96 Twin fitted sheet: 39x75 Twin Extra-Long Bed: Usually found in college dorm rooms, this mattress is longer than the standard twin. Twin XL flat: Not made; use a standard twin flat sheet. Twin XL fitted: 39x80 Full-Size Bed: Also known as a double, this mattress can sleep two. Full flat: 81x96 (to 100) Queen-Size Bed: The queen mattress sleeps two. It is both longer and wider than a full-size mattress. Queen flat: 90x102 (to 106) King-Size Bed: Also known as the Eastern king, this mattress is the largest option. King flat: 108x102 (to 106) Pillowcase: 20x36 (to 40) California King Bed: This luxurious mattress is longer and narrower than the Eastern king.
California king flat: 102x110 California king fitted: 72x84 Many newer beds feature pillow-top or extra-deep mattresses, which often run 14-16 inches deep -- and may be even thicker. Use these mattress depths as a guide when selecting sheets. Bear in mind that you might need to buy the next size up (e.g. a king flat sheet for a queen-size bed) to accommodate a deeper mattress. Deep: Up to 15 inches Traditional January white sales are the ideal time to purchase bargains. Linen outlets are year-round destinations for bargain hunters. For the most savings on quality sheets, look for sales of marked-down individual sheets instead of sets. Mix and match fitted and flat sheets with pillowcases and shams. For mixing, choose white or a solid pastel for one of the sheets or for the pillowcases. Another smart strategy: Consider buying identical sets of sheets so that you can trade off sheets if something spills or a sheet gets damaged. Stock these items to dress every bed in comfort and style.
Two or three sheet sets in the correct size. Each sheet set should include top (flat) and bottom (fitted) sheets plus two pillowcases. You may need additional pillowcases if you use more than two pillows. Change and launder sheets and pillowcases once a week. Two mattress pads: one in the linen closet, one on the bed. Wash every two to four weeks. Two pillowcase protectors per pillow One duvet and duvet cover or comforter, if using One coverlet, quilt, or spread One bed skirt, if using Two sets of sheets per bed. Wash linens and remake the bed after each visit so the room will always be ready. Note that a twin sheet set includes only one pillowcase. One mattress pad for each bed Two pillows per twin bed; four pillows per full-size bed Two pillowcases per pillow One duvet and duvet cover or comforter per bed, if using One summer blanket per bed One winter blanket per bed One bed skirt per bed, if using BONUS: How to Fold a Fitted Sheet