I Tested Pottery Barn’s Organic Cotton Percale Sheets and They’re the Only Ones I Want on My Bed from Now On

In case you haven’t noticed, we’re big fans of Pottery Barn here at AT. They’re one of our favorite online sources for small-space furniture, and we’ve even tested their sofas, rugs, and bed frames. And while I’m very familiar with all of the decor they have in store, I have to admit that I don’t really know much about their bedding and bath collections. In fact, Pottery Barn was never among the places that came to mind when I was considering buying new sheets or towels. So when I had the opportunity to test Pottery Barn’s 400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheet Set, I jumped at the chance. You never really know how good linens are until you try them for yourself, and after using these sheets for almost two months now, I can tell you this: They’re a sleeper hit!

Pottery Barn’s 400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheet Set is available in five sizes and has a simple design that’s both crisp and clean. I tested the Queen set, which comes with a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. Crafted from 100% organic cotton percale, the sheets have a 400 thread count (percale’s optimal thread count range is 200 to 500) that gives them a smooth, hotel-quality feel. Each set is available in five soothing hues: White (my preference), Classic Ivory, Gray Mist, Pearl Blue, and Navy.

When I first took the Pottery Barn 400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheet Set out of its packaging, I could immediately feel the quality — literally. Rubbing the top sheet between my fingers, I could tell that they were durable and made to last. While the brushed-cotton sheet didn’t feel super-soft, it also didn’t feel rough or scratchy. Pottery Barn recommends giving the sheets an initial wash before the first use, so I did just that. Taking them out of the dryer, I didn’t notice any real difference in the feel of the fabric, but the true test of how comfortable they were came later, when I put them on my bed.

Sliding between the sheets, my initial reaction was that they felt very luxurious. They were smooth, crisp, cool, and sturdy, similar to sheets at nicer hotels I’ve stayed at and much like sheets from more expensive brands that I’ve tested. Lying on them almost felt like a treat, and needless to say, I slept very well that evening.

The sheets impressed me even more as the weeks went on. True to Pottery Barn’s claim, they did start to feel softer after each wash and were so cozy that I practically had to force myself to get out of bed each morning. But what really wowed me was how well they regulated my body temperature, despite fluctuating external factors. During the first few weeks that I slept on them, New York City was experiencing major winter weather changes, with some days feeling springlike followed by arctic blasts. Because my building controls the heat in my apartment, the temperature in my studio was also all over the place — when Jack Frost wasn’t nipping at my nose, it felt like I was living on the surface of the sun. Through it all, I slept comfortably using just the 400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheets and an all-season comforter, and I never awakened feeling too cold or too hot.

• They’re really dreamy: Luxurious, soft, crisp, cool, cozy, durable — there aren’t enough adjectives to describe how great Pottery Barn’s 400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheets are. In fact, they landed a spot on our Best List! These are definitely sheets that I would buy again — though I don’t think that’ll be necessary for a long, long time.
• They’re perfect for year-round use: The sheets are a decent weight and breathable, and keep me comfortable as I sleep, no matter how cold or hot my apartment gets. Though I’m currently using them during the winter, I definitely see myself leaving them on my bed all year round, as I think they’ll be ideal in warmer weather as well.

You should definitely give the sheets a wash before using them for the first time to help break them in and start that softening process. While they are comfy right out of the package, you’ll notice that they start feeling a bit softer by the second wash, and even more so after that. Another thing worth noting is that although the sheets are crisp, they look quite wrinkled straight out of the dryer, so expect some creases when you put them on your bed.

At $139 for Queen size, Pottery Barn’s 400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheets may feel like a bit of a splurge, but after testing them for myself, I do think they are a worthy investment because of their versatility and durability. They’re the ideal bedding for:

• Those who like cool and crisp sheets
• Those looking for organic cotton percale sheets
• Those who want sheets that can be used all year round
• Those looking for quality sheets that will last a long time

Pottery Barn 400-Thread-Count Organic Percale Sheet Set, $139 for Queen