This is the piece of fabric that creates a sheath or barrier between you and your pillow. Typically, a pillowcase has one opening on the short side of the fabric and extra fabric that will drape over a few inches, when placed over the pillow insert. The drape is sometimes generous and provides a decorative element to what is otherwise a largely functional piece.

For a luxurious, slinky feel to your bed sheets, cotton sateen is the ideal option. Look for a thread count of at least 300 to get a good-quality set.

Thread count, ply, weave — what do any of these things even mean? We know you want your bedroom to be a comfortable and warm space to relax and wind down for the day. But with so many types of bed sheets to choose from (and all the jargon thrown around in the industry), it’s easy to give up and purchase a shabby pair that could work okay.