Bedding Size Chart & Pillow Case Sizes

Buyers' Guide to Bedding

Discover the perfect duvet, pillow, and best material for bed sheets for every season with our expert guide to a restorative sleep sanctuary. Quality bedding is a key element of restorative sleep. At Feather & Black, we believe your luxury bed sheets should perform as well as they look — from the bed linen to the pillowcase. In this guide, you'll learn the essentials of bedding, including size charts to ensure a tailored fit for every mattress.

Part 1: Bed linen

The perfect night’s sleep begins with bed sheets

A well-made bed is all about balance. Too much bed sheet fabric bunches up, creating creases and tangling around your legs. Not enough fabric pulls at the corners, becoming taut like a trampoline and stretching the fibres over your mattress. To achieve a tailored finish, refer to our definitive bedding size chart to ensure the drape of your linen mirrors your mattress.

Bed sheet size	Fitted sheet dimensions	Flat sheet dimensions
Single bedding size	90cm x 190cm	180cm x 260cm
Double bedding size	135cm x 190cm	230cm x 260cm
King-size bedding size	150cm x 200cm	275cm x 275cm
Super king-size bedding	180cm x 200cm	300cm x 275cm
Emperor-size bedding	200cm x 200cm	320cm x 290cm

Mattress depth matters

A common hesitation when selecting fitted linen is whether it will fit. A sheet’s grip is determined by its pocket depth relative to the mattress height. Louise Silver, our mattress specialist, recommends measuring the total height of your mattress, including any toppers, before selection. The standard depth (up to 30cm) is fine for normal mattresses. A deep fitted sheet (up to 36cm) accommodates high-profile mattresses with four or more rows of side stitching. For plush, layered beds that include a mattress topper, an extra deep fit (up to 40cm+) is essential to ensure the elasticated corners stay firmly in place against the frame.

How the fabric can transform a bed sheet

Have you ever bought the wrong bed sheets? It's extraordinary how the simple choice of fibre can transform your bed from a cosy nest to a sweaty mess. It's not always a question of price, it's a question of materials. The best temperature-regulating bed sheets are made from high-quality natural fibres that operate like a bellows; as you move, the fibres expand and contract, actively cycling air and dissipating heat.

Egyptian cotton

Egyptian Cotton is prized for its extraordinary staple length (the length of each fibre), which produces a finer, stronger yarn. This results in a bed sheet that’s remarkably smooth and gains suppleness with every wash. Our Kensington Flat Sheets exemplify this, utilising premium fibres and delicate ladder-stitch detailing to create a crisp yet yielding finish. For those seeking a denser, more substantial weight, the Amelie Fitted Sheet range offers a resolute 600-thread-count sateen weave that balances physical warmth with breathable comfort.

Sateen

Sateen bed sheets create a smooth, frictionless surface. The Amelie Fitted Sheet offers a 600-thread-count sateen weave. It's low-friction surface minimises hair frizz, prevents breakage, and helps reduce sleep creases on your skin.Together, they help create a morning-fresh look for you as well as your bed. Our Amelie Extra Deep Fitted Sheets use this dense weave to extend its subtle, lustrous finish across larger beds, ensuring the material remains resolute and smooth night after night.

What thread count means and why it matters

Thread count is the number of threads woven horizontally and vertically into one quare inch of fabric. Lower thread count means a lighter fabric, which makes thread count a great guide to choosing the right bed linen. If you sleep hot, go for a lower count, if you sleep cool, opt for a higher count.

200-300 thread count: Provides a lightness and high degree of airflow, making it the ideal choice for summer months or naturally warmer sleepers.
300-500 thread count: Delivers a balanced blend of softness and structural strength, suited for year-round use.
600+ thread count: Creates a dense weave, providing an indulgent feel for those who prefer a weighted sheet.

It's a common misconception that lower thread count means lower quality. In reality, quality comes from the materials used in the bed linen and the skill of the weaver. For more insights into thead count and weave, read our guide on the principles of a good thread count.

The flat vs fitted bed sheet debate

In the world of bed linen, the choice between flat and fitted sheets is a question of tradition over convenience. Do you take the elasticated ease of a fitted sheet, or attempt the precise origami of the flat sheet? One is notoriously tricky to iron, while the other can double as a lighter top layer in hot weather.

The choice is, of course, personal. Louise, our mattress expert, favours the elasticated sheet to guarantee a secure fit on even the highest mattress/topper combos. However, our stylist, Charlotte Bamonte-Valerio, favours the flat sheet for “its classic look and versatility.”

And thus, the debate goes on.

Part 2: Duvets

How to choose a duvet size that complements your bed

Choosing a duvet comes down to three elements: size, filling, and tog. This combination of elements, carefully adjusted, can help you create the perfectly indulgent sleep sanctuary. For a deeper understanding of thermal resistance, read our guide on choosing the correct duvet tog for the season.

"Unlike a sheet, you can afford to go over-sized with your duvet. Pairing a super king-size duvet with a king-size mattress, for instance, allows the linen to break elegantly over the sides. This generous overhang adds indulgent visual depth and has the added benefits of adding extra protection from cold air that might disturb your sleep."

— Charlotte Bamonte-Valerio, Stylist

Duvet Size	Dimensions
Single	135cm x 200cm
Double	200cm x 200cm
King	230cm x 220cm
Super King	260cm x 220cm
Emperor	290cm x 235cm

Duvet filling comparison

Filling shapes how your duvet feels and how it performs night after night. From its weight and warmth to its breathability, the filling defines your sleep experience. Each type offers its own benefits, but the best choice always comes down to what feels right for you.

Feather & down duvets

These duvets are filled with high-calibre feathers and down, encased in a 100% cotton cambric cover. The down provides the primary insulation and heat retention, while the feathers add the necessary structure and substance to the duvet’s drape. This construction operates as a natural thermoregulator, allowing moisture to escape while maintaining a resolute level of insulation.

Down-filled duvets

Down is the soft, airy plumage found beneath the bird’s outer feathers. It is the most prized filling for its extraordinary loft and lightness. A down-filled duvet provides superior insulation by trapping air within its fluffy structure, maintaining an ideal temperature without adding unnecessary pressure to the body.

Feather-filled duvets

Known for their reassuring weight and lasting support, a feather-filled duvet utilises larger, more robust feathers. This creates a plump, substantial duvet for those who prefer a weighted presence. The natural quill of the feather provides a structural durability that’s breathable night after night.

Wool duvets

Wool duvets might not be the natural choice for a temperture regulating sleep; you think wool and think scarves and warmth. But in reality, wool is naturally temperature regulating, wicking moisture expertly to keep your bed dry and comfortable. Ideal all year round, wool duvets are a great hypoallengic alternative to feather and down.

Synthetic duvets

Synthetics have their place in some bedrooms. Lightweight and hypoallergenic, man-made fibres like microfibre and hollowfibre can replicate the feeling of feathers with the allergies. They also wash much easier than other duvets. The downside is that their moisture wicking properties are much worse, as is their ability to regulate your temperature. Synthetics fubres tend to retain heat, causing you to overheat in summer.

Part 3: Pillows

Pillows and pillowcase sizes for crafted comfort

Your pillow provides the essential structural support required for your head, neck, and shoulders. We ensure that technical performance and visual refinement are aligned, with pillows engineered to maintain spinal neutrality across every sleep posture.

Pillow style	Dimensions
Oxford/Standard	50cm x 75cm
Super King	50cm x 90cm
Square/Continental	65cm x 65cm

When selecting linen, it’s important to note that the average pillow size in the UK is 50cm x 75cm, though pillow case sizes will vary depending on whether you require a standard fit or a more decorative border. For those navigating physical discomfort, our guide to pillows for neck pain offers deeper insight into achieving correct alignment.

Precise pillowcase proportions

The aesthetic finish of your bed is determined by the cut of the pillowcase. The Housewife style features a clean, edge-to-edge design that mirrors the pillow’s silhouette. Conversely, the Oxford decorative fabric border adds visual depth to your headboard.

For larger frames, Super King Pillowcase Sizes are essential to eliminate the void often left between standard pillows on wider mattresses. While the right support is vital for most, some may question the necessity of a loft altogether; for a technical look at the alternative, explore our analysis on whether it is better to sleep without a pillow.

Part 4: Toppers and protectors

Toppers and protectors are the final flourish adding extra comfort and safeguarding your investment. A topper adds an extra layer of comfort to your mattress. This extra layer adds height to your bed, often demanding a larger bed sheet, as discussed earlier. If you opt for a zip & link mattress, a topper creates a single seamless surface for both sleepers. Our Flaxby Platinum Enhancer is filled with 5,000 micro springs to provide the highest quality support and comfort.

To explore the specific benefits of different fills, refer to our definitive mattress topper guide.

Complementing this, pillow and mattress protectors act as a breathable, technical barrier, maintaining a hygienic environment and ensuring your sanctuary remains as pristine as the day it was dressed. We recommend doubling up on mattress and pillow protectors. This allows you to wash them and use the spare set to keep your bed pristine.

When to refresh your bedding for lasting comfort and support

Luxury bed sheets and high-calibre bedding require regular maintenance. Refreshing your bedding at the correct intervals ensures your comfort remains unwavering and your sleep remains hygienic. To help you identify the subtle signs of wear that impact sleep quality, our experts have compiled a guide on when it is time for new bedding.

Invest in your sleep space with Feather & Black

Investment in your sleep environment is a physical necessity. We invite you to explore the weight and calibre of our curated bedding range online and in-store. By matching technical precision to your personal rituals, you can complete your sanctuary with ease and lasting comfort.