How Many Sheets Do I Need?
How many sheets do I need? It’s a very common question for people just starting out on their minimalism journey.
Linen closets are often a great place to start decluttering. Sheets and towels rarely have sentimental value, so the decisions are easier than clothes. It’s also gratifying to open that freshly-decluttered linen closet and see all that extra space.
Ok, so how many sheets DO you need?
Let’s start with a little quiz:
Are you on a minimalism journey or are you a wanna-be-minimalist?
Do you need more space in your linen closet?
Do you have a washing machine and dryer in your house?
Is everyone in your house night-time toilet trained (mostly)?
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then the answer to how many sheets your need is… ONE.
One set of sheets per bed.
When it’s time to wash them: take them off, wash them, dry them, and put them back on. That’s it!
I know what you’re going to say. That’s impossible! What about fun sheets? What about seasonal sheets? What about changing your bedding for fun? What about if you’re really busy? What about, what about…
Listen, I know. I used to have a lot of sheets, too.
But. If you’re serious about clearing the clutter and getting control of your life, you need SPACE and less decisions.
How many sheet sets can you sleep on at once? One. How many can you wash at once? One. So… do you really want to be storing multiple sets of sheets for multiple beds? To use at some later date? To let the dirty sheets pile up in front of your washer, to stare at you each time you do a load of laundry? It’s an opportunity to put off the chore, another decision: wash
This is all just kicking the can down the line. Unnecessary. It’s one more thing you have to maintain, one more thing to store, one more decision, one more chore, one more reason to procrastinate, one more little nagging thing subconsciously weighing you down.
Now for the one-sheet-set-is-enough exceptions:
If you live in a dual or 4-season climate, then consider two sets: one flannel and one cotton/linen. But that’s still really ONE set per season. You’re not going to strip the bed in the heat of July and put your flannel sheets on, so you still only have one working set of sheets, right?
If you have lots of revolving company and it’s easier to strip a bed and remake it with a second set of sheets and get to the laundry later… think parents & in-laws at Christmas or many different guests at vacation houses.
If you don’t have a washer or dryer in your home. That makes the turn take longer, and a second set of sheets might be necessary for you.
If you have a bed wetter, then for sanity’s sake get another set (or two) (or three). And here’s an awesome trick…
Put on one fitted sheet and then the top sheet. Then lay down a waterproof protector large enough to cover most of the bed on top of these two layers. Then layer ANOTHER fitted sheet and flat sheet.
This way in the middle of the night, you strip off the wet top fitted sheet and the waterproof blanket, and the bed is… TA DA… already made! I know—I’m a genius! (Born of desperation and sleep deprivation!)
Ok? So in general, ONE SET of sheets, friends. Buy ones you love that feel soft and cozy :)
And one last tip about sheet storage, just for fun:
Store your out of season sheets and comforters under your mattress. For real! Lay them out pretty flat and you can’t even tell. This isn’t the Princess and the Pea!