Why Is Bedding So Expensive? (Find Out Now!)
Many people don’t realize the huge difference quality bedding can make in getting a good night’s sleep. Until you’ve spent a night engulfed in quality Egyptian or Italian bedding, you don’t realize what you’re missing out on. While quality bedding might make for a good night’s sleep, is it worth the steep price tag attached to them?
Quality bedding is expensive because of the high cost involved in producing it. Bedding requires many raw materials to make, which is why it’s so costly. Bedding is also expensive because of the commodity that it provides. People are willing to pay a high price for a good night’s sleep.
This article will take a deeper look at why bedding is so expensive and the different types of bedding to choose from. As with most things, there are many bedding options to choose from. There are different fabrics, thread counts, and qualities, which factor into what they cost.
Why Are Bed Sheets so Expensive?
You spend almost a third of your life in bed when you think about it. Studies suggest that you should get at least eight hours of sleep per night, which makes up one-third of your day. Therefore, doesn’t it makes sense that the place you spend most of your time should be comfortable? Comfort isn’t free and usually comes at a hefty price.
The same goes for bedsheets. The more comfortable and luxurious the bedding is, the more it will cost. The quality of the sheets is closely tied to the comfort level that it provides, which is why quality bedding costs more. Here are some of the factors that impact the cost of bedding.
The Cost of the Material
Quality bedding is made out of various fabrics, including cotton, polyester, synthetic blends, silk, and flannel. Some of these fabrics are much more abundant and readily available than others. Supply and demand play a significant role in the cost of material involved with making bedsheets. The easier it is for manufacturers to get a hold of a material, the cheaper it usually is.
Certain materials like Egyptian cotton and Italian linens usually cost more than other types of bedding. This is because they provide a higher level of comfort and because it’s harder to get ahold of them. There’s a limited amount of Egyptian cotton and Italian linen in the world, and people are willing to pay a high price for them.
People Want a Good Nights Sleep
Sleep is closely linked to the health and wellness of an individual. It’s also closely related to someone’s overall quality of life and the amount of joy they get from it. As a result, people are willing to pay top dollar for bedding that improves their sleep. Today’s world revolves around comfort, whether in everyday life, in the workplace, or bed. If a certain type of bedding will improve one’s comfort level, many people are willing to pay for it.
Branding
Bedding is a competitive market that hundreds of companies are competing for. Anytime there is an open market for a good or service, branding and marketing will play a huge role. Almost without fail, the company that brands its product the best will be able to charge the most for it.
Different Components of Bedding
Another factor that impacts the high expense of bedding is the different components involved. When people think of bedding, they only think of the sheets. While that’s the main part, pillowcases and fitted sheets are also involved. These extra pieces mean that more material will be used, which means bedding will cost more.
Bed Sheets
The bedsheet is the topmost layer of bedding that lays on top of you to cover you at night.
Pillow Cases
Pillowcases are made of the same material that your sheets are made of and are meant to match them perfectly. Pillowcases are smaller than sheets and don’t require as much material to make but still factor into the cost of your bedding.
Fitted Sheet
The fitted sheet is the bottom layer of your bedding that attaches to the top of the mattress. It’s the portion of the bedding you lay on at night and is roughly the same size as your top bedsheet. The fitted sheet is sometimes overlooked but is the most essential component of your bedding. Having high-quality fitted sheets will ensure a solid night of sleep.
Different Bedding Materials
As previously mentioned, there are a variety of different bedding materials to choose from. Some of them cost more than others, and their price depends on the level of comfort they provide and how readily available they are.
Linen
Linen, especially Italian linen, is one of the most expensive and luxurious options for bedding. Here are some of the reasons that linen is often the most costly type of bedding. For a decent set of linen sheets, you can expect to pay in the neighborhood of $200to $300, with the average price being around $400. People are willing to pay as much as several thousand dollars for top-notch linen sheets.
- It’s the most comfortable.Â
First and foremost, those who spend the night on a bed of linen sheets say that it feels like nothing else. It provides a combination of breathability, moisture absorbent, and cooling. No other type of bedding can offer a similar combination of comforts.
- It’s the hardest to makeÂ
Linen is made from fibers extracted from flax plants and stalks. Removing the fibers from the stalks is a long and challenging process, which makes linen one of the most complex materials to make.
- It costs the most to produceÂ
Because of the difficulty and manpower involved in producing linen, producers can charge more. Those who make linen need to cover the expenses of paying people to extract it, but they also want to make money. Therefore, linen is one of the most expensive types of bedding to produce and form into bedding.
Cotton
Cotton is the most popular and widely used material when it comes to bedding. Cotton is available all over the world, but there are different degrees of quality and comfort involved. For example, Egyptian and Italian cotton is stronger, softer, and better than many other types of cotton. It also costs a lot more.
You can purchase the most basic microfiber cotton bedding at any retail store for as little as $30 to $50. Beware, however, that these sheets are likely to give out within a few months of purchasing them, and they won’t be terribly comfortable. High-end cotton sheets from Egypt and Italy can cost anywhere from $500 to $1,000. If you ever see cotton advertised as Egyptian but only costs $70, don’t fall for it because you’re being duped.
Silk
Silk is another high-end bedding material for which people are willing to pay top dollar. It might sound nasty, but silk is actually made out of the cocoon fibers of silkworms. As a result, it’s a fairly rare material that takes time to produce, which factors into its high cost. Silk is also one of the smoothest and most comfortable materials known to man.
Real silk bed sheets will cost anywhere from $200 up to $1,000 depending on quality and thread count. There are many types of synthetic or imitation silk sheets out there, so make sure you know what you’re buying if you want real silk bedding.
Does Thread Count Matter With Bedding?
People often hear the term “thread count” used in reference to bedding, but does it actually matter? The thread count of your bedding is directly linked to how soft and comfortable it is. The higher the thread count, the more comfortable your sheets will be.
Keep in mind, however, that the type of material in question also makes a big difference. For example, Egyptian cotton sheets with a 500 thread count will be more comfortable than other cotton sheets with the same count. Linen or silk sheets with a 500 thread count will be more comfortable than synthetic silk or basic cotton.
What is the Best Thread Count?
In general, if comfort matters to you, then you should shoot for sheets with a thread count of at least 400 or 500. For the best thread count, however, the higher the count is, the better it will feel.
Is Expensive Bedding Actually Worth It?
It all depends on what your desires are as far as having a good night’s sleep is concerned. Expensive sheets are more comfortable and more relaxing and will provide more rest. Expensive sheets are also more durable and last longer than cheap bedding. A high-quality set of bed sheets can last up to 10 years, whereas cheap bed sheets from Wal-Mart or Target might only last several months.
What is the Best Type of Bedding?
There are many quality types of bedding, but the best overall sheets are often thought to be Egyptian or Italian cotton. Pure linen and silk sheets are right up there with great cotton, and many people feel like they are superior. It all comes down to your personal preference and what your budget allows.
Related Questions
How often should I change my bedsheets?
In general, people should wash or change out their bedsheets every week or every other week. However, life often gets in the way of changing out sheets, and many people go one or several months with the same sheets.
What are silk bedsheets made of?
Silk bed sheets are made out of the cocoons of silkworms. This might sound nasty, but they produce some of the softest and smoothest fabric known to man.
Final Thoughts
The quality of your bedding directly impacts the quality of your sleep. Many people are simply too stingy to spend top dollar on a set of bed sheets when they can get by with $30 or $40 sheets from Amazon. However, if you place a high value on a good night’s sleep, then expensive bed sheets are something that you should consider.
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Before I started writing, I worked for 6 plus years in the plumbing, electrical, and HVAC business. I was primarily an HVAC installer but also worked as a plumber and electrician. Now I'm a copywriter, focusing on home improvement content and guides.
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