Commonly used in North America, but uncommon in Europe, a top sheet (also known as a flat sheet), is the sheet that separates you from your comforter, blanket, or quilt. In Europe (and very slowly catching on in the United States), the duvet cover takes the place of the top sheet.

Heavy Weight Duvet Insert

The decision between fitted and flat sheets boils down to individual preferences and the desired bedroom aesthetic. By understanding the nuances of each, you can make an informed choice, ensuring your bed is one of comfort and style.

As a natural fiber like cotton, linen offers excellent breathability. However, linen is evenmorebreathable than cotton, because the fibers themselves are more hollow, meaning air can flow through more easily. Plus, it usually helps that most linen fabrics have a lower thread count — and thus looser weave — than most cotton fabrics.