It had a practical purpose:
Protect the blanket or duvet from sweat, oils, and dead skin
Reduce how often you wash heavy bedding (comforters, quilts, duvets)
Add a layer of warmth — you could kick it off at night if you got hot
Follow tradition — in many cultures, a “proper” bed had multiple layers
As Suzanne Pollak of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits puts it:
“A proper bed requires a bottom sheet, a top sheet, a blanket, and actually, on top of that, you should put some sort of coverlet.”
That was the old standard.
The “correct” way.
The hotel-style hospital corner fold.
But times change.
And so do our beds.
🔽 Why the Top Sheet Is Fading Out
1. It’s a Hassle to Use (and Make)
Let’s face it — the top sheet is high-maintenance.
You have to:
Tuck it in
Smooth it out
Prevent it from twisting
Untangle it every morning
And for what?
Most people end up kicking it off by 2 a.m.
So why bother?
2. Duvets and Comforters Are Easier
With the rise of the European-style duvet, the top sheet became redundant.
A duvet is:
Washable (just remove the cover)
Warm enough on its own
Designed to be used without a sheet over it
And let’s be real — tossing a duvet over the bed takes 5 seconds.
Tucking in a flat sheet? More like 5 minutes.
3. It Gets Tangled — Constantly
Anyone who moves in their sleep knows the struggle.
You start the night neatly tucked in.
By morning, you’re wrapped like a mummy, one foot cold, the other sweating.
The top sheet doesn’t stay put.
It fights you.
And most of us just don’t want that kind of relationship.
4. Hot Sleepers Don’t Need It
If you run hot, adding a layer — even a thin cotton one — can make things worse.
Many people now kick off all covers at night.
So why sleep under two layers?
5. Minimalism & Simplicity Are In
Modern design favors clean lines, fewer layers, and low-effort living.
A bed with:
Fitted sheet
Duvet
Pillows
…is simple, tidy, and inviting.
Add a top sheet?
It just gets in the way.
🌍 A Cultural Shift – Not Just a Trend
This isn’t just laziness.
It’s a shift in values.
We’re prioritizing:
Comfort over formality
Ease over tradition
Function over fussy details
And honestly?
Most people never liked the top sheet anyway.
They used it because it was “how it’s done.”
Now, we’re free to ask:
“Does this actually work for me?”
And for most, the answer is: No.
🧼 But Wait — What About Cleanliness?
Yes, the top sheet did protect your duvet from body oils and sweat.
But here’s the fix:
Wash your duvet cover weekly.
Most are machine-washable.
And if you use a pillow protector and shower before bed?
You’re still keeping things clean — just in a simpler way.
🛏️ Final Thoughts: Sometimes the Best Bed Isn’t Made — It’s Lived In
We used to believe a “well-made bed” meant hospital corners and taut sheets.
But now, many of us define a good bed differently.
It’s not about perfection.
It’s about comfort.
It’s about sleeping well — not making the bed well.
So if you’ve ditched the top sheet?
You’re not breaking the rules.
You’re updating them.
And if you still use one?
No judgment.
Just know — you’re part of a fading tradition.
Because in the quiet war between bed-making rules and real-life sleep, comfort is winning.
And once you toss that top sheet aside?
You might just sleep better — tangled-free, hassle-free, and gloriously sheetless.
