The best patterned sheets for every style

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I have a confession: I hate white sheets. They're classic, sure, but I'm on a mission to fill my home with things that bring me joy. For me, nothing really compares to the bright, colorful patterns of the best patterned sheets. From florals and stripes to mini-prints of frogs wearing rain boots, printed sets are the best sheets to add whimsy and character to your bed.

I tested a bunch of patterned sheets, looking for sets that combined beautiful designs with comfort, breathability, and durability. The best place to buy patterned sheets is The Company Store, thanks to its wide variety of colorful prints, from subdued plaid to elegant florals. For those on a budget, I recommend Target's Threshold Printed Performance Sheet Set. This set features gorgeous designs for a third of the price as our other top option. It's great for dorm rooms, too.

Our top picks for best patterned sheets

Best overall: The Company Store Patterned Sheets - See at The Company Store

Best budget: Target Threshold Printed Performance Sheet Set - See at Target

Softest: Cuddledown Patterned Sheets - See at Cuddledown

Best vintage-inspired: Garnet Hill Patterned Sheets - See at Garnet Hill

Best floral: Organic Cotton Sateen Printed Sheet Set - See at Anthropologie

Best trendy: Urban Outfitters Patterned Sheets - See at Urban Outfitters

Best striped: Brooklinen Patterned Sheets - See at Brooklinen

Best flannel: L.L.Bean Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set - See at L.L.Bean

Best overall

The Company Store's sheets are equally cute and comfortable. It's hard to find a set of sheets that blends a unique pattern with unparalleled comfort, but somehow, The Company Store has done it. Out of all the sheet sets I tested, I was most impressed with The Company Store and its balance of quality, style, and variety.

Both the percale and sateen weaves are excellent. The sateen and percale sheets are Oeko-Tex-certified and can fit mattresses up to 18 inches deep. The percale sheets were crisp and slept cool, while the sateen sheets were silky soft and smooth. They also fit on the bed well, with little shifting throughout the night, which is impressive, since I have a bad habit of thrashing in my sheets. I loved the percale sheets and was sad to switch them out at the end of my seven-night testing period.

My favorite designs include colorful florals and elegant peacocks. In terms of the designs, there are a few that stand out, and my favorite are the patterns from the collaboration with Rifle Paper Co. These designs feature the stationery brand's iconic prints reimagined on bedding, though they're usually excluded from promotions. I tested the Rifle Paper Co. Strawberry Fields Percale Set, and I was absolutely obsessed with how it looked. The flowers on the sheets are so colorful, with vibrant pops of red from the strawberries on the vines. Our senior home editor, Jaclyn Turner, tested the Peacock Sateen Sheet Set. It's a beautiful design of elegant peacocks, green leaves, and flowers on a cream, ivory, pink, or evergreen background.

You can fully customize your bed. In addition to sets, each piece of bedding is sold individually. This makes it easy to replace individual pieces without buying the entire collection. Or, if you hate a top sheet, you can forgo it by purchasing the pieces of bedding individually. Many patterns have matching duvet covers, comforters, and shams, too, if you want a fully cohesive look. I love the idea of mixing and matching my sheets and duvets with different patterns.

Best budget

Our favorite budget sheets come in patterns, too. The Threshold Performance Sheet Set is the budget pick in our best sheets guide — and for good reason. For under $60, the sheets are soft and durable, holding up well to washing and drying. They're also available in more than 20 prints — the most common being floral designs and geometric prints — making them a no-brainer to be our favorite budget patterned sheets.

I like the floral and plaid prints. The Tulip Toss print is super cute, with a mini-print of tiny pink tulips on a solid cream background. It's a subtle design that would look adorable in any bedroom. The Pink Plaid pattern is another standout, with simple double-lined plaid on a coral pink sheet.

They're a great choice for dorms. These printed sheets also come in Twin XL, making them an excellent choice for college students living in dorms. The patterns are easy to match with a solid-colored duvet cover or quilt, and you won't have to skimp on comfort in favor of affordability.

Be sure to wash them frequently. Our tester did notice that the sheets have a slight smell out of their packaging, so we recommend washing before adding them to your bed. The sateen weave can trap oils. That said, the sheets don't pill or shrink after washing, so you won't have to worry about them deteriorating after your wash day. Just be sure to remove them from the dryer quickly since they're prone to wrinkling.

Softest

Cuddledown specializes in soft sheets. All the picks on our list are comfortable, but the Cuddledown Patterned Sheets are the softest. Cuddledown's sateen sheets have a luxurious, almost velvety feel. I'm looking forward to using these sheets in the winter because I know they'll be a warm and cozy respite from the cold. The thick fabric also holds up well to care, with no pilling or torn threads evident after washing and drying.

Each design element is unique. I tried the Meridian Sateen Sheet Set in honey, a lovely mustard yellow. The design is made of interlocking geometric circles that create a unique design. I also love the piping on the border of the sheet. It's a beautiful design element, but it also helps me differentiate the top and the bottom when making the bed. They slept a little hot for me, but I did test in the late spring and tend to overheat at night.

I also love the mini-prints. Otherwise, the range of Signature Sateen Prints includes a variety of adorable mini-prints. The Dragonfly design comes in eight different colors, so you can easily match the color of the dragonfly with a duvet cover for a stylish, cohesive look. These sheets also include the piped border that I loved from the Meridian set. Animal lovers can rejoice, with both Dog and Cat prints.

Cuddledown sheets are sold in individual pieces. As you shop on Cuddledown, keep in mind that not all sheets are sold as sets. You'll likely need to purchase a fitted sheet, top sheet, and pillowcases individually, but they are all listed in the product page.

Best vintage-inspired

Garnet Hill's design are subdued and classic. When embracing the vintage look for your bedroom, you'll want to search for sheets with timeless designs like subdued florals, simple stripes, and polka dots. With an excellent range of classic patterns, Garnet Hill is our pick for best vintage-inspired patterned sheets.

Garnet Hill sells patterned sheets in cotton, linen, and flannel. I tried both the cotton and linen sheets. I loved the Micro-Print Organic Cotton Percale Sheet Set — they were crisp and comfortable, everything a percale sheet should be. I got the Sage Ditsy Floral design, which features tiny burnt orange and yellow flowers with green accents. My favorite part of these sheets is the embroidery detail in the pillowcase and the top sheet. It's a simple design element, but it turns the entire sheet set into something special and unique.

Patterned linen is hard to find. I'm not a huge fan of linen sheets — they tend to be too loose for me and the fitted sheet comes off the bed — but it's rare to find linen sheets with patterns besides stripes and gingham. The Chelsea Garden Relaxed Linen Sheets stand out, with a light blue or green background adorned with realistic designs of flowers, birds, and fruit.

The flannel sheets are perfect for winter. While I didn't test the flannel sheets, I'm impressed with the pattern range. The Winterberry Flannel Sheet Set features designs of rambling vines topped with vibrant berries, which makes excellent bedding for winter and the holiday season.

They're pricey but durable. These sheets, especially the linen, are expensive. That said, I was impressed with their thick feel and durable design, so they'll last for years. Plus, you can buy bedding individually, so you can replace separate pillowcases or sheets without replacing the entire set.

Best floral

I'm in love with these sheets. The Organic Cotton Sateen Printed Sheet Set are my go-to when I'm not testing another set of sheets, which is the highest honor I can bestow upon any piece of bedding. The prints rotate seasonally, giving a limited-time element as new designs are released.

Anthropologie really shines is with its floral designs. The Nalini Cool pattern, which I tested, has an impressionist flair that reminds me of Monet's waterlilies. It's covered in white and purple flowers and greenery on a light blue background. I'm also a fan of the Plum sheet set, a beautiful, deep burgundy design covered in natural-looking wildflowers and branches. There are plenty of designs outside of florals, too, like mini-print swans and leopard print.

The sateen sheets are so comfortable. Even though I usually spring for percale sheets, since I prefer that cool-to-the-touch feel, I tried something different, opting for the sateen printed sheets. I typically avoid sateen sheets out of overheating at night, but these Anthropologie sheets completely changed my perception of sateen. The sheets are ridiculously soft, but they still stay cool throughout the night. If you're a percale lover, don't fret: there are plenty of designs available in Anthropologie's Percale Sheet Set.

They're a perfect fit. The sheets fit snugly on the bed, even after tossing and turning. The fitted sheet has tags that label the top and bottom for easy bed-making. The top sheet is a perfect length, too — it's not too long or short.

Best trendy

Urban Outfitters patterns are fun and trendy. Urban Outfitters is your go-to bedding destination if you're the type to keep up with the latest trends. With every pattern you can think of (and a few you can't), Urban Outfitters' bedding selection keeps your bedroom looking fresh and inspired.

It's easy to match each pattern to your aesthetic. Are you going for a frilly, coquette vibe? You might enjoy the Catlyn Floral Patterned Sheets, which features long, flowy bows and vintage flowers on a deep pink background. Feeling more vintage Western to thrill your inner horse girl? The Vicki Collage Sheet Set features cute mini-prints of horses, cacti, and cowboy boots.

I love the fun tile patterns and unexpected toile prints. I'm a lover of all things bright and maximalist, so I tried out the Mariana Tile Sheet Set. The tile-inspired design includes vibrant squares with flora, fauna, and cocktails. I'm also in love with the Frog Toile Sheet Set, which looks like a traditional toile design until you look closer to see a frog enjoying a glass of wine in front of a rustic cottage.

They're affordable but a little thin. Besides the cute prints, these sheets are affordable, too. Most sets are only $89 for a queen. They're not the softest sheets we've ever tried — they can feel a little scratchy at first — but they soften up after a few washes. The sheets are thin, so they're not the most durable option. I could easily see them succumbing to pet claws or being snagged on something in the wash. The thinness does mean that they're lightweight and breathable, though, so they're a good option for hot sleepers. Overall, Urban Outfitters is a great place to buy sheets with a unique pattern that won't necessarily last a lifetime.

Best striped

Brooklinen is our go-to for great sheets. We've been a fan of Brooklinen sateen and percale sheets for years, but the brands also offers its best-selling sheets in simple, striped designs that bring a modern look to your bedroom.

Most of the striped designs are part of the seasonal colors. Brooklinen is always coming out with new patterns and designs, which is a double-edged sword. For one, there's always a new print to consider. At the same time, though, the new patterns are in high demand and sell out fast. You can sometimes find discontinued patterns at a discount, though sizing is usually limited.

There are a ton of striped designs to choose from. I tried both the Classic Percale Sheet Set and the Luxe Sateen Sheet Set. In percale, I got the now-discontinued open windowpane in meadow, which is a green-and-white plaid pattern on a tea-green background. In sateen, I tried the also discontinued Ikat sky and arctic blue, an abstract, icy blue design with navy accents. The most classic Brooklinen design is the Oyster print, a collection of swooping lines that form an abstract pattern. The Tandem Stripe pattern is also popular. As the name suggests, it's a simple design of dual lines that create stripes down the sheet.

Brooklinen's sheets are worth it. Brooklinen's sheets are of the utmost quality. They're a little expensive, but they're a great investment that will last for years. Plus, with a 365-night trial, you can always return them if they don't work for you (which, candidly, is unlikely).

Best flannel

Patterned flannel is cozy and inviting. Especially in the fall and winter, there's nothing better than a soft set of flannel sheets. Choosing patterned flannel sheets can add an extra festive flair to your bedroom, reminiscent of warm, fireplace-lit cabins and holiday mornings. L.L.Bean is known for its flannel products, and the Ultrasoft Comfort Flannel Sheet Set is one of the best. We love its softness, and it takes the top spot in our best flannel sheets guide. It's available in three patterns: botanical floral, stripes, or check print in neutral gray or blue.

We recommend L.L.Bean's other flannel sheets, too. L.L.Bean also sells other flannel sheet sets in different patterns. The Heritage Chamois Sheet Set, for example, comes in a classic lumberjack red and black plaid. We love these sheets: they're ridiculously comfortable and durable, without being too heavy. The sheets do shed lint after a while, which is common for flannel. That said, they are unmatched in cozy comfort.

What to look for

When shopping for patterned sheets, keep an eye out for the following:

• Comfort: Comfort means different things to different people. If you're a hot sleeper and need cool sheets, consider percale or linen. If you're looking for maximum coziness, sateen or flannel might be up your alley.
• Fit: When shopping for patterned sheets, pay attention to pocket depth and sheet dimensions. If you have a deeper mattress, you'll want fitted sheet pockets of at least 16 inches. For thinner mattresses, avoid long pocket depths, since that can cause your fitted sheet to bunch up on the bed.

• Print: Find a design that's appealing to you and your personal aesthetic. Here is a breakdown of common printed sheet patterns:

  • Florals: Flowers, leaves, and branches, oh my! Floral patterns bring nature-inspired calmness to your bed.
  • Stripes: Thin stripes look classic, while thicker stripes can be a standout design in your bedroom.
  • Polka dots: Polka dots are the most fun, and you can easily pair these sheets with a solid duvet cover or quilt.
  • Mini or micro prints: You can find mini-prints and micro-prints of just about anything, from flowers and seashells to animals or food.
  • Animal: Animal prints, like zebra and leopard, are sexy and bold.
  • Plaid: Plaid is versatile, adding a modern or ultra-cozy look to your basic set of sheets.
  • Abstract and geometric: Abstract and geometric shapes are perfect if you gravitate toward a modern style.
• Value: Value doesn't only include the price, but look out for good return policies, trial period, and warranties.

How we tested

Our testing procedures

To test patterned sheets, I slept with each sheet set for at least seven nights. I also washed each set and noted any pilling, torn threads, or shrinkage.

• Comfort: During the seven-night period, I noted each sheet set's comfort, paying particular attention to aspects such as softness, breathability, and cooling.
• Fit: I toss and turn in my sleep, so I tested each fitted sheet to determine if it stayed put on the bed. I also considered whether the top sheet fit the dimensions of my bed and if it was prone to bunching up.
• Design: I chose sheet sets with a variety of designs for every personal style and aesthetic. I looked for fun, bold prints and subtle patterns.
• Value: I considered the price of every sheet set, plus the return, trial, and warranty policies.

Meet the expert behind this guide

Kinsley Searles, associate home editor: I'm the bedding expert at Business Insider Reviews, and I'm particularly passionate about printed and patterned sheets. I love changing up the look of my bed by mixing and matching my bedding, so I looked for designs that I'd love to dress my bed in. I'm also very picky about the feel and fit of sheets, so I ensured that each of our picks felt great to sleep on, too.

Best patterned sheets FAQs

What's the best material for patterned sheets?

You can find patterned sheets in just about every material, including cotton, linen, and flannel. The best material for you depends on your personal preferences, though cotton is a crowd-pleaser.

Are patterned sheets more expensive than solid sheets?

No, patterned sheets typically aren't more expensive than solid sheets. Most of our patterned picks are the same price as the options in solid colors. It depends on the brand, though.