Unless you’re a clueless college kid who thinks he knows everything, you need sheets for your bed. And, even if you don’t like to cover your pillows, pillowcases are crucial if you hope to collect massive amounts of candy on Halloween. With these cold, hard facts in mind, I went in pursuit of the best sheet set known to humans. My search led me to the Contact Us page on the California Design Den website.

Buy the California Design Den Sheet Set on Amazon

Key Takeaways

  • Material: Long-staple cotton with sateen weave
  • Thread count: 600
  • Fit: Deep pockets accommodate 9-18-inch mattresses
  • Comfort level: Soft immediately, no break-in period needed
  • Best for: Hot sleepers who want luxury without the crazy price tag

Why These Sheets Stand Out

Thread Count Sweet Spot

A big fuss is made about the thread count of sheets. The reasoning is that a higher thread count means softer sheets. The thread count refers to the number of vertical and horizontal threads in a square inch of fabric. As you may have guessed, simply going by thread count will not automatically give you the softest sheets. Good sheets range from 200 to 800 threads per square inch. All you need to know is that the 600-Thread-Count 100% Cotton Sheet Set falls within this range.

Sateen Weave + Long-Staple Cotton = Instant Softness

More important factors are the type of cotton used and the weave. This set is made from long-staple cotton fiber, which is used in the production of soft, top-quality sheets. Additionally, it’s made with a sateen weave, which is not as durable as tighter weaves, but it does feel incredibly soft and lustrous. If you are concerned about durability, California Design Den offers a “100% Satisfaction Guarantee” and “risk-free” buying, though I couldn’t find the specifics on these claims.

What’s in the Set

  • 1 flat sheet
  • 1 fitted sheet with deep pockets (fits mattresses 9-18 inches thick)
  • 2 standard pillowcases
  • Available sizes: Twin through California King
  • Color options: 26, including True Blue, Light Grey, Pure White, Sage, Spa, Taupe, Ivory

We tested Pure White in Queen size on our 12-inch memory-foam mattress.

Performance

Here is our video review of the California Design Den Sheet Set:

What We Loved ✅

Soft right out of the package: Many sheet manufacturers will put weird substances on their fabrics to protect them while they’re in storage. These substances are typically harmless and usually disappear completely after a few washes. However, they do make the sheets less comfortable initially. This was not the case with the California Design Den Sheet Set. They were immediately soft, and that did not change after several washings. California Design Den did tell me: “These are pure cotton sheets without any additional/chemical treatments. So, they do require a long wash, preferably twice, and a quick dry. With a few washes, they turn into butter!”

Easy care instructions: I’m no laundry genius: I’d throw the sheets in with my regular dirty clothes. I don’t even separate whites from colors. I’m very liberal. Anyway, regular washing was all that was needed to remove stains and dirt. Our cats even peed on the sheets early on, and we were able to remove the odor without any issues.

Perfect fitted sheet fit: Our mattress is about 12 inches thick. And, the fitted sheet fits easily without much effort. There were never any times when I’d wake up from a night of tossing and turning to find the fitted sheet had escaped from the corners. With other sheets, I’d had this problem, and it made it harder for me to sleep. Is it that weird to want everything to be perfect before going to sleep?

Temperature regulation: The sateen weave breathes surprisingly well for such a soft fabric. I didn’t wake up a sweaty mess, which is more than I can say for some higher thread count competitors.

What Could Be Better ❌

Pillowcase sizing issues (now fixed): I had a minor issue with the pillowcases not fully covering my queen-sized (16” by 28”) pillows. They just barely fit, and over the course of the night, the pillow started to escape from the pillowcase. I would have liked it if the set came with queen-sized pillowcases. It would have also helped if there had been a little lip near the opening of the pillowcase that could catch the pillow and keep it from making its nightly getaway.

California Design Den contacted us after publication to confirm they’ve updated pillowcase dimensions to accommodate both standard and queen pillows.

Conclusion: Should You Buy These Sheets?

I’m usually a “whatever’s cheapest” kind of person, but after 45 nights of genuinely comfortable sleep, I’m converted.

Buy this if you:

  • Are tired of fitted sheets that don’t fit
  • Want hotel-quality softness at home
  • Need breathable fabric to counteract hot sleeping

Skip this if you:

  • Prefer crisp, cool percale over smooth sateen
  • Don’t care about fabric quality or thread count
  • Need the absolute cheapest option available

Overall Rating: 4.2/5 stars

Buy the California Design Den Sheet Set on Amazon

Want more sleep gear reviews? Check out our best mattress toppers guide and best memory foam pillows roundup for the complete bedroom upgrade.