Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night wrestling with a sheet that's come loose from the mattress? The problem is almost never the bed, but not being clear about what each piece does. The fitted sheet and the flat sheet work together but do different jobs: one holds and protects the mattress, the other separates you from the comforter with a cool layer of cotton.
In this article you'll see, plain and simple, what each one is, how they differ and which size to choose for your bed. And since at happyfriday we sell each piece separately, we'll also show you how to combine them to dress your bed exactly the way you like.
what you'll take away from this
- 1The fitted sheet goes over the mattress with elastic corners; the flat sheet is plain and goes between you and the comforter.
- 2The measurement people most often forget when buying a fitted sheet is the mattress depth, not just the width and length.
- 3Our fitted sheets have deep pockets for mattresses up to 32 cm; the flat sheet drops 30 to 40 cm on each side.
- 4Here's the size chart for fitted and flat sheets, from 80 cm beds up to 200 cm beds.
- 5Buying individual pieces gives you complete freedom to mix plains and prints your way.
the difference in one sentence
The fitted sheet goes directly on the mattress and has elastic in the corners so it stays taut and firmly in place. The flat sheet is a plain rectangular piece, with no elastic, that goes between you and the comforter or bedspread. The first provides structure and grip; the second, softness and freshness.
One holds and protects the mattress; the other separates you from the comforter with a cool layer of cotton.
what is a fitted sheet?
It's the base of the bed. It covers the mattress and, thanks to the elastic corners, stays firm and crease-free all night. As well as comfort, it protects the mattress from daily wear and makes the weekly wash easier.
How to choose the size
Many people measure only the width and length and forget the most important measurement: the mattress depth. To get it right, follow these three steps:
Width and length
Check your bed size (80, 90, 105, 135, 150, 160, 180 or 200 cm) and choose that size in the chart below.
Mattress depth
Our fitted sheets have generous deep pockets that wrap around mattresses up to 32 cm: plenty of room for a standard mattress, and also for a deep one or one with a topper.
If in doubt
If you're torn between two bed sizes, choose the larger one so the elastic has room to grip.
Made from 100% pure cotton: breathable and soft. They are made in Spain.
what is a flat sheet?
It's the layer that goes between your body and the comforter, bedspread or duvet cover. Rectangular, plain and without elastic, you can put it on and take it off as you please. Its big advantage is twofold: it regulates temperature and keeps the bed hygienic.
In summer it lets you sleep under a light layer without overheating; in winter it adds insulation. And because it's much easier to wash than a comforter, using one means you can wash your duvet cover less often and keep the rest of your bedding clean for longer.
The turn-down, the detail that dresses the bed
The top of the flat sheet is folded back over the bedspread to form the turn-down, that fold that shows off the design and gives the bed a polished, hotel-style look. That's why the flat sheet is wider and longer than the mattress: it needs enough fabric to drop 30 to 40 cm on each side and still have some left over for the turn-down. It's also where a print looks its best, so our flat sheets are made using digital printing: intense colours, gradients and fine details.
Do I need one if I use a duvet cover?
It's not essential, but it's worth it. Placed under the duvet, it lets you regulate the temperature in spring and autumn without removing the whole comforter, and it reduces how often you have to wash the duvet cover, which is the heaviest and most awkward piece to get into the washing machine.
Like our fitted sheets, our flat sheets are 100% pure cotton: breathable and pleasant against the skin. Made in Spain, with digital printing: we print the design directly onto the fabric, without screens.
fitted and flat sheet sizes by bed width
These are the sizes we make for both pieces. Measurements are in centimetres (width × length).
| Bed size | Fitted sheet | Flat sheet |
|---|---|---|
| 80 / 90 bed | 90×200 | 160×270 |
| 105 bed | 105×200 | 180×270 |
| 135 / 140 bed | 140×200 | 210×270 |
| 150 / 160 bed | 160×200 | 240×270 |
| 180 / 200 bed | 180×200 · 200×200 | 260×270 |
Two tips to get it right:
The fitted sheet matches the width and length of your mattress; the deep pocket takes care of the depth. If your mattress is deeper than 28 cm or you use a topper, that deep pocket is exactly what stops the corners pinging off in the early hours. The flat sheet, on the other hand, is deliberately bigger than the mattress, so it drops down the sides and leaves fabric for the turn-down.
Is your mattress 190 or 200 cm long? Don't worry about the difference: thanks to the elastic corners, our fitted sheets adapt easily to both lengths. The elastic wraps around the mattress and keeps the sheet taut whatever its size, so either length works just as well.
Cot or cot bed? You'll find specific sizes in our children's fitted sheets. And if you'd like the full chart with pillowcases, duvet covers and bedspreads, it's in our sheet size guide.
how to combine them your way
This is the advantage of buying individual pieces: you're not tied to a fixed set. You can choose a fitted sheet in a plain colour that matches one of the colours in your printed flat sheet, and change just one of the two when you fancy a refresh. It's the easiest, and most affordable, way to give your bedroom a new look without starting from scratch.
A rule that always works: a plain base and a printed flat sheet, or the other way round. Playing with that mix adds depth without overloading the room.
why choose happyfriday sheets
pure cotton, made in spain
We design and make every piece with the 6 to 8 hours you spend in bed each night in mind. This is what sets us apart:
100% pure cottonbreathable and soft
made in spainworkshops in Spain
STANDARD 100by OEKO-TEX®
Colour in detail: our digital printing reproduces designs with lots of colours, gradients and fine details. And because we sell individual pieces, you choose only what you need and combine them the way you like.
dress your bed your way
Now you know what each piece does and which size you need. Choose your fitted sheet and your flat sheet and combine them however you like. Because there's a home hidden in every house.
discover our sheets →
