After finding the right mattress for you, it’s time to find the right sheet that goes along with it, and there has been a long and winding debate about whether the classical flat sheets are better or the more modern fitted sheets.
In this article, we will learn more about both fitted and flat sheets, their pros and cons, and what you should consider before choosing one over the other.
What is a fitted sheet?
If you're wondering what is a fitted sheet, it's simply can latch securely into the mattress, as it can be identified by its elastic corners, which snuggly fit the mattress and prevent it from sleeping off while you’re tossing and turning during the night.
Pros of Fitted Sheets
Secure fit
The elastic corners of the fitted sheets make them snuggly fit your preferred type of mattress, which in turn enhances the overall quality of your sleep, as fitted sheets won’t slip off and irritate you while you’re asleep.
Can extend the life of your mattress
The fitted sheet snaps directly into your mattress with a snug fit, which means that it can serve as a mattress protector from dust, stains, and other things that could shorten the expected lifespan of your mattress, as fitted sheets are great mattress protectors.
Improved comfort
Fitted sheets can be made from breathable materials such as Tencel, which regulate the temperature and prevent overheating. Fitted sheets also serve as a layer between your body and the mattress, which means that you won’t have to touch the surface of the mattress, which is especially helpful if the surface is rough or has some irregularity.
Neat appearance
Fitted sheets are always snuggly fitted into the mattress due to the elastic corners, which means that they won’t get wrinkled or slip off the bed, and that will make your room look more neat and aesthetically pleasing.
Ease of use
While fitted sheets are relatively newer than flat sheets, they're super simple to use; you just snap the elastic corners to the edges of your mattress, and you’re done!
Cons of Fitted Sheets
Hard to fold
The elastic edges provide great support and stability to the fitted sheets, but it also makes them harder to fold and store, unlike flat sheets.
Must match the mattress size
Before buying a fitted sheet, you need to make sure that it matches your mattress size; otherwise, it won’t fit, and the elastic edges won’t be able to snap on the corners of the mattress.
Cleaning and Maintenance
While you can simply clean the fitted sheet in the washing machine, it could show signs of wear and tear much faster than flat sheets, as the elastic corners get a bit worn out each time the sheet is cleaned.
What is a flat sheet?
Flat sheets have been considered the standard type of bed sheets for so long because they are rectangular, unlike fitted sheets, which don’t have elastic corners that can snap around the mattress and need to be tucked under the mattress so it won’t slip off the bed.
Pros of flat sheets
Easy to fold
Just like their name suggests, flat sheets are flat and can be easily folded and stored without taking up much space at all, which is especially great for people who are looking to save their storage space.
Versatile
Unlike fitted sheets, a flat bed sheet can be used in multiple ways, as they can be used as a regular bed sheet or as a layer with other bedding products, such as a blanket or they can serve as duvet covers.
Size convince
If your flat bed sheet is bigger than your mattress, you don’t need to worry, as you can simply tuck it at the bottom of the mattress without worrying whether it exactly fits your mattress or not.
Maintenance
Flat bed sheets, or top sheets, are so much easier to clean than fitted sheets, as they don’t have round elastic edges, which makes them easy to wash, dry, and iron.
Cost
If you want affordable sheets, then you can just opt for flat sheets, as they’re much more affordable than fitted sheets.
Cons of flat sheets
Slips off easily
Because flat sheets do not securely fit into the mattress, they can slip off while you’re moving during your sleep, which can be an issue for some people.
Frequent washing
If you’re using your flat sheet alone, without other bedding, then you might need to wash it frequently to maintain its cleanliness.
It gets easily wrinkled
Flat sheets don’t look as nice and neat as fitted sheets. After all, it gets wrinkled so easily because it’s not snuggly fitting the mattress.
Requires tucking
The only way to keep your flat sheet intact is to tuck it underneath your mattress, which makes changing the sheet a bit challenging.
Which sheet is best for you (Flat sheet vs fitted sheet)?
| Difference between flat sheet and fitted sheet | Fitted Sheets | Flat Sheets |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | While fitted sheets might look similar in their rectangular shape to fitted sheets, the key difference in is their elastic round edges. | Flat sheets are the classical rectangular-shaped sheets, similar to the ones you see in hotels or hospitals. |
| Maintenance | Washing a fitted sheet might be a bit of a hassle as it requires extra carefulness because if it is washed incorrectly the elastic edges might loosen up and not latch to the bed properly. | Washing, drying, ironing, folding, and storing flat sheets are very simple because they don’t have the elastic corners of the fitted sheets. |
| Use | The elastic round corners of the fitted sheets latch onto the mattress edges and snuggly fit on top of the mattress, preventing any chance of slip-off. | Flat sheets are very versatile in their usage, as they could be used as flat sheets only on the bed, or you can use them with other bedding products such as blankets and duvets. |
How to Choose Your Bed Sheets
Material
- Cotton: Cotton material is a great sheet material as it blends comfort with durability; it’s soft to the touch and doesn’t shrink when it’s washed.
- Flannel: Flannel is a popular choice among many people because it has a bit of a rougher texture that creates a cozy and warmer feel.
- Linen: Bed linen is probably the most durable material for sheets, as it can withstand many washing cycles without showing any signs of wear.
- Silk: Silk is a great option if you’re looking for a cooling sheet as it has temperature control; it’s also very durable; however, it’s not the cheapest option if you’re on a tight budget.
- Bamboo: While it’s not the most commonly used material for sheets, bamboo is very soft and light and enhances the cooling properties of your mattress.
Weave
The method that is used in weaving the thread of your sheets together affects the overall properties of your sheet. Here are the most common thread weaves:
- Percale: If you prefer coziness and you live in colder weather, then percale weave is a great option as it’s slightly rough and crisp.
- Sateen: If you want your sheet to be as smooth and soft as possible, then opt for sateen sheets, which provide the maximum amount of softness to the surface of the sheet.
Thread Count
Thread count is a very significant factor that needs to be considered before choosing a sheet, as the more threads the sheet has, the softer it gets, but it also gets heavier and harder to handle.
Size
Size is one of the most crucial aspects that needs to be considered before buying a sheet, especially if you’re buying a fitted sheet, as it needs to be the same size as your mattress or it won’t fit.
Price
The prices for sheets can vary drastically depending on the material, whether it’s fitted or flat, and the size, so choose wisely which sheet fits your budget and offers the most comfort.
Personal Preference
When it comes to what sheet is better or which material is better, it boils down to what makes you feel more comfortable and improves the quality of your sleep. There are no right answers, so make sure to choose the right sheet for you.
Flat and Fitted Sheets Dimensions
| Mattress Size | Flat Sheet Dimensions | Fitted Sheet Dimensions |
|---|---|---|
| Twin | 66” x 96” | 39” x 75” |
| Twin XL | 66” x 96” | 39” x 80” |
| Full | 96” x 102” | 54” x 75” |
| Queen | 96” x 102” | 60” x 80” |
| King | 102” x 112” | 76” x 80” |
| California King | 102” x 112” | 72” x 84” |
FAQS
Why do hotels use flat sheets?
The main reason is that it’s easier to maintain because it doesn’t have the round edges of the fitted sheets, which makes them easier to clean, dry, and iron. They’re also easier to fold and don’t take up a lot of storage space. Check out our article "How to make your bed like hotels" for more tips.
Can you use a flat sheet as a blanket?
Yes, flat sheets are quite versatile and can be used as a blanket, especially if you use them with other bedding, which can help make you warmer during the night.
Why does my fitted sheet keep coming off?
The most common reason why a fitted sheet slips off the mattress is that it doesn’t match the size of the mattress; maybe it’s bigger or smaller, so you need to check the size of your mattress and make sure that it matches the size of your sheet.
What should I consider before choosing between a fitted sheet vs flat sheet?
There are many things to consider, such as maintenance, comfort, and price, but the most important factor is personal preference, so we recommend trying both sheets before deciding which one is better for you.
Do I have to tuck in a flat sheet?
The only way to ensure that the flat bed sheets don’t slip off during your sleeping sessions is to tuck them under the bed; however, that doesn’t provide the same level of stability as fitted sheets.
Can You Use a Flat Sheet as a Fitted Sheet?
Yes, you turn your flat sheets into fitted sheets by using what’s called the hospital corners technique, which means that after you place your sheet on the bed, you tuck it under the bed, folding the four corners of your sheet before tucking them down as well. This technique is usually used in hotel bedding.
Conclusion
The key difference between fitted sheets and flat sheets is that fitted sheets have an elastic round corner that snaps into the mattress and allows the sheet to snuggly fit the mattress and doesn’t slip off or get wrinkled, as well as protecting the mattress itself.
Because of those elastic corners, fitted sheets are harder to fold and clean, whereas flat sheets sit on top of the bed and can be tucked under the mattress, which makes them prone to slipping off and getting wrinkled. However, they’re much easier to maintain, fold, and store.
Jessica H.
Jessica is a reviewer, writer, and sleep enthusiast at Sleepiverse. Jessica graduated with her master's degree in Nursing research and education. She is a registered nurse and currently works in the Intensive Care Unit. Since becoming a nurse, Jessica has worked the night shift, which means a disrupted sleep schedule. Knowing she needed to function at her best while caring for patients at night, she spent a lot of time researching how to sleep well with a difficult schedule.