Have you ever bought a sheet set and are at a loss for what the flat sheet and fitted sheets are actually used for? In this article we explain the reasons why you may or may not want to sleep with a flat sheet, ways to keep it in place while sleeping, ways to repurpose a flat sheet, what a fitted sheet is used for, and what sheet combination is best for you. 

What is a flat sheet?

A flat sheet is the layer of fabric that typically comes in a sheet set and provides a barrier between you and your blanket, comforter, or duvet cover. It can also be used alone on an extra warm night when you need a light layer.

Why do I need a flat sheet?

1. Protection. A flat sheet is an easy solution for keeping you clean and protected. Instead of having to wash your blanket, comforter or other top covering – that can be time consuming and cumbersome – you can easily take the flat sheet off your bed and throw it in with your wash every week or two weeks.

2. It can provide extra warmth. A flat sheet doesn’t seem like it would add a lot of extra warmth but you would be surprised by how much it does when you sleep with it, especially if you buy flannel or sateen sheets.

3. You don’t need a duvet cover. If you have a comforter and want it to stay clean than we suggest using a top sheet to provide an extra barrier between you and your comforter. But if you don’t want to sleep with a top sheet, then we suggest using a duvet cover with a fitted sheet and pillowcases.

The important take away is that you want to protect your comforter/duvet insert as much as you can, helping it last longer. A top sheet and/or duvet cover can protect and provide more life out of your comforter.

How can I get my flat sheet to stay in place?

We suggest tucking your flat sheet underneath your mattress to help secure it in place. Or you can use the hospital corner technique – that makes an envelop fold on the corners of your bed – to make it extra secure by following the steps below. 

1. Spread the flat sheet out evenly across your bed leaving a small space at the top where you want your pillows to be placed (There is a top and bottom to a flat sheet. The top usually has a large hem – this should be at the top of your bed where the pillows are placed – and bottom is where the tag is, this should go at the bottom of the bed). At the foot of the bed, tuck the flat sheet under the mattress, leaving the sides loose.
2. At one of the corners, hold the flat sheet up making a triangle shape.
3. Tuck the lower drape under the mattress.
4. Then fold the top drape at a 45 degree angle and tuck it underneath the mattress.
5. Repeat on the other side.

What is a fitted sheet?

A fitted sheet is a piece of fabric that goes around your mattress, adding a protective layer between you and your mattress, maintaining the mattress quality and preventing body oils, hair, and skin from seeping into your mattress.

Fun Fact: Do you hate when the fitted sheet comes off in the middle of the night? To prevent this from happening we put an elastic band all the way around our fitted sheets that helps to secure the sheet in place and doesn’t allow it to flip off when you move around during the night.

Pro Tip: If you only want to buy a fitted sheet with pillowcases then we also suggest you buy a duvet cover that encases your comforter. This provides protection and can be easily washed much like a top sheet (want to know more about duvet covers? Here is an article on that). 

What sheets are best for me?

It depends on your personal preference and can only be learned by experience and trial and error. If you don’t know what to do, try buying a sheet set with a top sheet first and see how you sleep. If you like it, great! If you don’t, then you can use your top sheet as a blanket for the beach and buy a duvet cover instead.

Ways to repurpose a flat sheet, if you don't want it

1. Take it to the beach - instead of using only a towel to lay on at the beach, take a flat sheet that is big enough to hold all of your beach gear and some. While your flat sheet gets sandy and wet, your towel is dry and sand-less ready to be used when you jump out of the ocean. 
2. Use it as fabric - great creative and repurpose your flat sheet into curtains, a quilt, cloth napkins, table runner, wall hanging or any other project that requires a fabric material.
3. Go on a picnic - carry this lightweight cloth on a picnic that isn’t as cumbersome as a blanket and provides protection against the grass.
4. Drop cloth - are you painting your house? Lay a flat sheet down on the floor you don’t want paint to get on.
5. Make a fort or teepee - don’t forget about the kids! Use a flat sheet as part of a fort or a tent or a teepee.