In addition, the duvet cover material offers a choice of comfortable options. Select a soft flannel on a chilly January day and switch it out for lighter cotton when the warmer weather arrives in April.

Thread counts for bedding typically range from 200 to 800, though 1,000 and higher thread counts do exist. Thread count is not however, the most important indicator of quality bedding, more important is the quality of the cotton threads that the bedding is weaved from. You can have high thread count sheets made from poor quality cotton.

And finally, brushed cotton is for those looking for something in the middle in terms of cooling/heat-retaining qualities. To turn cotton into brushed cotton, the fabric undergoes a couple of extra treatments that result in the softest flannel-like bedlinen. While both percale and sateen sheets may take a few washes to become more supple and soft, a new set of brushed cotton bedding feels like you’ve slept in it forever. It is a great year-round option because it won’t warm or cool you down excessively.