I’m semi-embarrassed to say it as an interiors obsessive, but I’ve never cared too much about bedding. Do I strive to stay abreast of the latest and greatest offerings in the space? Absolutely; it’s part of the gig, of course. But when I go to cover my personal four-poster, well, I’ve always found that a simple, affordable high-street buy gets the job done fine.
That’s what intrigued me so much about the opportunity to review some sheets from the relaunched Soft-Wash Cotton range from Cozy Earth, one of the best bedding brands on the market right now. Did this mean it was high time to see what I was missing? And, when given the chance to change my mind, would I stick to my conviction that budget bedding is good enough?
Well, after two weeks under the covers, I can safely say (and begrudgingly, so) that yes, quality sheets and duvets make a difference … and a big difference at that. In fact, I had half a mind to write this review from my bed because I’d rather hang out there all day than on my couch. (Yes, I am serious.)
I tested the Soft-Wash Cotton Duvet Cover in the Driftwood colorway, as well as the Soft-Wash Cotton Sheet Set and Pillowcases in Shore. All items are sold separately, and the duvet cover does not come with an insert. There aren’t many colors to choose from if you are looking for something fun and funky, but the neutrals that the brand offers will match almost any design scheme.
While Cozy Earth is a popular brand in the US, it's worth noting that delivery is free for orders over £350 in the UK, too, and it won't be hard to spend that much on a bedding set.
Is Cozy Earth's Soft-Wash Cotton Bedding Good Quality?
The short answer here is yes; yes, it is.
Although some might argue that it is the least important part of this review, I knew I was in for a treat when I received the bedding in the mail. In my experience, the best brands are the ones that know the vibe check begins at the point of reception. The manner in which buyers receive the product must feel as streamlined, fabulous, and high-end as the product itself.
I was pleased to learn that Cozy Earth was well aware of this paradigm. Both the sheet set and duvet cover were wrapped in lovely cloth packages (pictured above), made of a similar (if not the same) fabric as the bedding. Pretty immediately, I knew I was in for a treat. (Plus, knowing how to neatly store the bedding was already sorted.)
Moreover — although it sounds redundant — “soft-washed cotton” really is the appropriate name here. I mean, these pieces are genuinely supple and sumptuous — a completely different finger feel than the 400 thread-count sheets I’ve used for years (which are totally fine in their own way, but don’t hold a candle to these). As it says in the description, the fabric is truly ultra-soft.
How Is It To Sleep In Cozy Earth's Soft-Wash Cotton Bedding?
As I do with all new bedding, I gave both the duvet and the sheet set a wash before putting them on my bed. Then, my nightly testing began.
Truthfully, I realized pretty immediately that I was sleeping better in my new sheets. I hardly tossed and turned, and it was that much harder to get up in the morning (which could be a pro or a con depending on how you spin it). If you are already used to extremely supple sheets, perhaps your reaction won’t be as profound as mine. But from where I was sitting — or sleeping, to be more apt — the juxtaposition between my budget bedding set and this one was stark.
When initially wrapping the fitted sheet around the mattress, I was almost concerned at how large it seemed, enveloping my Queen-sized bed. It wasn’t a problem, per se, but I did clock how it felt like perhaps too much fabric for the size. But after a few weeks of testing, I'm no longer worried at all. I think the large size is why I have not had to adjust the fitted sheet once since putting it on. It sits firm on my mattress and does not budge — a luxury I didn’t know I needed.
As for the duvet cover, it’s fabulously soft and delightfully cozy. I don’t mind my insert, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the cover I had before this and was keen to replace it (neither of those items were Cozy Earth, to be clear). Now, I genuinely look forward to wrapping myself up in bed each night. Moreover, the duvet cover itself is not too heavy; it doesn’t add a lot of weight to the insert, so hot sleepers should be fine to invest without worry.
I would, however, take a bit of caution with the sheets. They are fabulous and not too weighty. But, as someone who gets a hot flash or two in the middle of the night, there are brief moments that I crave something with more of a cloth-y finish, rather than the smooth/glossy feel you get here. I would still call the fabric breathable, but there is still an aspect of it that could be airier, in my opinion.
How Easy Is Cozy Earth's Soft-Wash Cotton Bedding to Care For?
So far, I have laundered both the sheets/pillowcases and duvet cover just one time — when they first arrived. That process went as normally as you’d hope. Both did come out of the dryer quite wrinkled, but that is, in my opinion, to be expected. And, in the case of the duvet cover, the creases have continued to fall out over time — every day, it looks a little smoother.
I thought about steaming everything to give the bed a much tidier look from the get-go, but ended up deciding against this just from a time perspective. And if you have a lot of pillows and accoutrements on top of your bed, it shouldn’t be a problem, anyway.
How Stylish Is Cozy Earth's Soft-Wash Cotton Bedding?
From a quality standpoint, Cozy Earth really impressed me. Stylistically, however, it’s not necessarily something to write home about. And I mean that less as a knock on the brand and more as a factual statement about the semi-one-dimensional nature of bedding.
There are no patterns in the soft-wash cotton line, so solid colors are all you can work with. There aren't an abundance of colorways, either (unlike what you'd see at a brand like Bed Threads).
That said, I think you could easily fit these pieces into your existing design scheme — which perhaps you’d spruce up with decor and throw pillows of a more exciting variety — and call it a day. They'd look minimalist and high-quality on their own, no doubt, just not trendsetting, per se. You really just want these products because they are truly as soft as they claim to be.
If you’re looking for something with more dimension, this coverlet has both texture and a subtle pattern.
There’s the funky look we were hoping for. The Bamboo Sheet Set (previously named among Oprah’s favorite things!) boasts a ton of colorways, including three fun stripe options. (Stay tuned; might be testing these soon!)
Cozy Earth blankets are in a league of their own. This sumptuous and super-plus throw could serve to add texture, weight or both to your bedscape.
The Finer Details
A few additional things worth noting:
Packaging: I already touched on this briefly, but it’s worth noting that Cozy Earth does package its products quite nicely. I was impressed at how compact the delivery was, given the size of my order, and thought the buttoned pouch was a great touch.
Duvet Closure: Perhaps it is personal preference, but I do not like to see where my duvet cover is meant to close. You certainly wouldn’t think that, considering the duvet I had previously was secured together with eight all-too conspicuous wooden buttons, but the Cozy Earth option is much more my speed. The duvet closes with a zipper that then tucks inside the cover, meaning you can hide the closure entirely.
Duvet Ties: In Cozy Earth's case, the duvet ties are actually snap closures, which were easy to use but no easier than a typical tie in my opinion. This was neither a positive nor a negative.
Is Cozy Earth's Soft-Wash Cotton Bedding Worth It?
As a budget bedding evangelist, it shocks me to say this, but … yes, I would invest in this product again. I don’t think you need this bedding; it is expensive, and a cheaper option would suit just fine.
But — but — if you are hoping to level up in terms of your bedding experience, I think this range is exactly what the doctor ordered. It feels every bit as luxurious as its price tag suggests, and I did think to myself, “This would be worth it to pay for.”
Once you've sorted the bedding, find out what we thought of Cozy Earth's bath towels.
