The Bay Is Gone. Where Should Toronto Buy Good Sheets Now?

Simons is the best replacement for the old Bay sheet department. It has clear fabric labels, real sets, useful sales and enough choice without turning the purchase into a research project. IKEA is the best budget pick. QE Home is the best place to touch several fabrics in person.

Costco can offer strong value, but stock is inconsistent. HomeSense and Winners are treasure hunts, not dependable sheet stores. Skip marketplace brands that shout about a huge thread count while hiding the fibre, weave, pocket depth or return policy.

The Bay's stores closed on June 1, 2025 during liquidation. Waiting for the old linen department to return is not a shopping strategy.

Our Toronto sheet-store ranking

Store	Best for	Typical strength	Main weakness
Simons	Best overall	Clear percale and sateen options	Fewer Toronto stores than The Bay had
IKEA	Best budget	Predictable basics and replacement pieces	Some sets and fabrics feel plain
QE Home	Best in-person comparison	Dedicated bedding staff and wide fabric range	Sale pricing can make comparison confusing
Linen Chest	Best broad housewares alternative	Many brands and a Leaside store	Regular prices can be high
Costco	Best surprise value	Good sets when stock is right	Sizes, colours and brands come and go
Quince	Best simple online percale	Clear long-staple organic cotton option	No Toronto showroom for a first touch
Silk & Snow	Best Toronto showroom for online-style brands	Strong percale, Egyptian cotton and linen range	Queen percale is around $160 before sales
Au Lit Fine Linens	Best premium local showroom	Deep fabric knowledge and swatches	Far beyond a basic sheet budget
Hush	Best for people who want a cold first touch	Aggressive cooling fabrics	Marketing is stronger than the value for most sleepers
HomeSense or Winners	Best bargain hunt	Occasional quality clearance	You cannot rely on size, colour or repeat stock

Start by choosing a weave, not a thread count

Percale feels crisp, cool and a little like a clean hotel bed. It uses a simple over-under weave. Choose it if you sleep hot or hate slippery fabric.

Sateen feels smoother, softer and a little warmer. It can have a slight sheen. Choose it if crisp percale feels too dry or stiff.

Flannel is brushed for warmth. It makes sense in a cold room and can feel unbearable in summer.

Linen is breathable, textured and expensive. It wrinkles. People who love it call that relaxed. People who hate it call it messy. Do not buy linen because a lifestyle photo told you to.

Microfibre is usually cheap and smooth at first. It can hold heat and may pill. It is not the best choice for most hot sleepers.

The verdict: percale is our best all-round Toronto recommendation because condos and apartments often run warm.

Thread count is not a quality score

Thread count measures threads in a square inch, but brands can count multi-ply strands in ways that create a large number. A 1,200-thread-count mystery sheet can feel worse and last less than a well-made 250-thread-count percale.

Read the fibre label first. Look for 100 per cent cotton when that is what you want. Long-staple cotton can produce smoother, stronger yarn. Then choose the weave and feel.

Do not accept phrases such as "cotton rich" without reading the blend. It may contain a large amount of polyester. That can be fine for easy care, but it is not the same product.

The verdict: a clear 250-thread-count cotton percale beats a vague 1,000-thread-count claim.

Read the fibre label without getting fooled

The front of the package is advertising. The sewn-in fibre label is the product.

Label	What it actually means	Who should buy it	Main drawback
100% cotton percale	Cotton in a crisp one-over-one weave	Hot sleepers and people who like a matte hotel feel	Wrinkles and can feel stiff at first
100% cotton sateen	Cotton in a smoother weave with more yarn on the surface	People who want soft drape and less crispness	Warmer and can show wear sooner
Cotton and lyocell	Cotton blended with a regenerated cellulose fibre	People who want smoother moisture handling	Not an all-cotton sheet
Rayon or viscose from bamboo	Cellulose is chemically processed into rayon or viscose	People who like a cool, slippery first touch	Marketing often makes it sound more natural than it is
Linen	Fibre from flax	Hot sleepers who like texture and wrinkles	Expensive and can feel rough at first
Microfibre or polyester	Fine synthetic fibre	Lowest budget and easy wrinkle resistance	Holds heat, attracts oil and can pill
Cotton-rich	A blend with cotton, often polyester	People who value easy care over purity	The cotton percentage may be much lower than expected

Do not treat lyocell, rayon and polyester as the same fibre. They behave differently. But do not let a leaf logo hide the blend either.

The verdict: if the front says bamboo and the label says rayon, judge it as rayon. Buy the feel, not the plant story.

Compare the cost of a complete bed

Sheet shopping becomes dishonest when one store prices a fitted sheet and another prices four pieces.

A normal queen set usually includes:

• One fitted sheet.
• One flat sheet.
• Two standard or queen pillowcases.

Some Costco sets include four pillowcases. Some European and minimalist sets omit the flat sheet. Some luxury shops sell every piece separately. Twin sets may include only one pillowcase.

Write down the fitted sheet, flat sheet and number of pillowcases before comparing prices. If you never use a flat sheet, a separate fitted sheet and pillowcases can be the cheaper honest purchase.

The verdict: compare the pieces you use, not the size of the sale sticker.

Toronto mattress sizes and pocket depths

Bed label	Typical mattress size	Common mistake
Twin	39 by 75 inches	Buying Twin XL for a standard child's bed
Twin XL	39 by 80 inches	Assuming normal Twin sheets fit a dorm mattress
Double or Full	54 by 75 inches	Confusing it with Queen
Queen	60 by 80 inches	Ignoring a thick topper
King	76 by 80 inches	Buying a duvet size instead of a sheet size
California King	72 by 84 inches	Assuming regular King fitted sheets fit

Measure the mattress after adding every topper and protector. Then measure across the underside where the elastic must reach. A fitted sheet advertised for 15 inches may fit badly on a 14.5-inch mattress when the fabric shrinks or the corners are square.

The verdict: leave a little depth room. Do not buy a pocket that is five inches too deep and expect it to stay smooth.

1. Simons is the best Bay replacement

Simons' sheet department feels closest to the useful part of The Bay. You can compare house-brand basics, materials and colours without sorting through hundreds of seller names.

Its current solid cotton percale set lists 100 per cent cotton, a 250 thread count and fitted-sheet depth for mattresses up to 15 inches. A queen set includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet and two pillowcases. The regular price was $110 when checked, with sale prices changing by colour and size.

That is not cheap. It is a fair middle price for a complete, clearly labelled set. Wait for a sale if colour is flexible.

The weakness is physical access. Toronto does not have the old network of Bay stores. Online shopping may be easier, which makes the return terms and colour photos important.

The verdict: buy Simons percale when you want one safe answer and can spend around $100.

2. IKEA is the best budget choice

IKEA's bed-sheet section sells sets and individual pieces. That matters when the fitted sheet wears out before the flat sheet.

The ULLVIDE queen fitted sheet was listed at $27.99 when checked. IKEA also labels fibre content and mattress dimensions clearly.

The fabric can feel firm in the package. Cotton percale usually softens after washing. Do not use fabric softener to force it. Softener can coat fibres and reduce breathability.

IKEA's naming and stock can change. Confirm that a "sheet" is a fitted sheet, flat sheet or full set before comparing price.

The verdict: best for a student, first apartment or replacement fitted sheet. Choose a better set if luxury feel is the goal.

One correction matters. ULLVIDE is an 85 per cent cotton and 15 per cent lyocell blend, not 100 per cent cotton. The current queen fitted sheet is $27.99 and fits a mattress up to about 15 inches deep. It is one fitted sheet, not a complete set. A cheaper IKEA set may use different cotton, construction and dimensions.

The verdict: compare pieces with pieces. A $28 fitted sheet is not cheaper than a $70 four-piece set unless you only need the fitted sheet.

3. QE Home is best when you need to touch the fabric

QE Home is a dedicated Canadian bedding retailer with Toronto-area stores. Its cotton percale sets and other collections often move through sales, with prices depending heavily on size and colour.

The advantage is comparison. You can feel percale beside sateen, ask about pocket depth and check whether a colour looks different from the screen.

The downside is promotional noise. A low "from" price may apply only to one size or clearance colour. Ask for the price of the exact queen or king set you are holding.

The verdict: go to QE Home if fabric feel confuses you. Leave if a sale clock pressures you into the wrong weave.

4. Linen Chest has range, but compare the final price

Linen Chest operates a Toronto Leaside store at 93 Laird Drive, unit 8. Its store page has current hours and directions.

The store carries many home categories and bedding brands. That gives you more choice than IKEA and a better physical comparison than online-only shops.

The weakness is price. Regular prices and constant promotions can make it hard to know whether a set is truly good value. Compare fibre, weave, set contents and final price with Simons and QE Home.

The verdict: useful for one-stop shopping and brand comparison. Do not assume a red sale label wins.

5. Costco is good when the right set appears

Costco sheet sets can offer better material for the money. The problem is repeatability. A brand, colour or pocket depth praised by one shopper may be gone by the time you visit.

Check the warehouse and website. Read whether pillowcases are included. Measure your mattress. Keep the package until the first fit check is complete.

A membership changes the math. Do not buy a membership only for one sheet set without adding the full cost. Our guide to whether Costco is worth it in Toronto covers that decision.

The verdict: buy when the exact set is good. Do not chase an old recommendation across three warehouses.

6. Quince is the strongest simple online option

Quince sells a classic organic percale sheet set in Canada. It lists 100 per cent long-staple organic cotton and a 270 thread count.

The specification is sensible. The clean product page is easier to compare than a marketplace full of invented brands.

The downside is no Toronto touch test. Colour, texture and fit have to be judged at home. Read the Canadian return terms and final delivered price before ordering.

The verdict: best online pick for a cool sleeper who already knows they like percale.

7. Silk & Snow is the strongest Toronto showroom upgrade

Silk & Snow's percale sheet set currently lists a queen set at $160 before promotions. It uses 200-thread-count cotton, is made in Portugal and includes the expected fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases.

The company has a Toronto showroom at 670 Caledonia Road, unit 200. That makes it more useful than a normal online brand. You can compare percale with Egyptian cotton sateen, flax linen and muslin before making a return-policy gamble.

The percale is the best choice in the line for a hot Toronto condo. Egyptian cotton sateen is smoother and warmer. Linen is airy and textured, but it costs more and can feel rough until washed repeatedly.

The fitted pocket is listed at 15 inches. Measure carefully if you have a thick pillow-top mattress or topper. A nominal 15-inch pocket on a 15-inch mattress can be too tight after washing and shrinkage.

The verdict: best upgrade when Simons feels too basic and you want a Toronto touch test. Buy during a real sale, not because a countdown says today is special.

8. Au Lit is for premium buyers who know why they are spending

Au Lit Fine Linens has a large showroom at 147 Tycos Drive and a Midtown Toronto store. The flagship displays many made beds and offers fabric swatches.

This is where to go for unusual mattress depths, separate fitted and flat sheets, monograms, made-in-Canada options and staff who can explain fine fabric. It is also where a simple bedding purchase can become very expensive.

Do not walk in asking for the best sheet. Name the problem. Say that you sleep hot, hate wrinkles, need an extra-deep fitted sheet or want a flat sheet wider than normal. Premium advice is useful when it solves a real need.

Compare the complete bed cost. Some luxury lines price the fitted sheet, flat sheet and pillowcases separately. A price that looks similar to a set may buy one piece.

The verdict: best premium Toronto shop. Most people do not need it. People with a hard-to-fit bed may save time by starting there.

9. Hush cooling sheets cost too much for most people

Hush sells bamboo-cotton cooling sets through its own site and Costco. Its newer Graph-Iced queen set is listed at $289 and uses a proprietary performance blend.

The cool first touch can feel impressive. It does not change the room temperature, fix a weak air conditioner or guarantee you will stay dry all night. Stretchy performance fabric also feels very different from cotton percale.

Costco currently lists some Hush Essentials sets around $79.99 to $109.99, depending on size and stock. That is the only price range where we would consider Hush without a very specific reason.

The verdict: skip the $289 set. Try the Costco version only if you already know you like slick cooling fabric.

What about Walmart, Amazon and No Frills?

Walmart can solve an urgent need. Read the fibre label. A low price may buy microfibre or a cotton blend rather than the cotton set you expected.

Amazon has real brands mixed with sellers that change names and listings. Reviews can combine sizes or versions. Do not trust thread count, star rating and a coupon alone.

No Frills currently lists President's Choice percale sets online, including a queen four-piece set around $70 when checked. Grocery stock varies by store. It can be a useful backup, but it is not where we would go to compare fabric.

The verdict: buy from these stores only when the exact product label is clear and returns are easy.

What about LL Bean and specialty linen brands?

LL Bean percale has a strong reputation and Canadian shipping. It can be expensive after currency, delivery and any cross-border terms. Check the final Canadian checkout, not a U.S. headline price.

Specialty brands such as Au Lit Fine Linens offer premium materials and local expertise. They make sense for a large budget or a hard-to-fit bed. Most people do not need to spend that much for comfortable sheets.

The verdict: premium is useful when you can name the feature you are paying for. Otherwise, buy Simons.

Measure mattress depth before buying

Measure from the bottom seam to the highest point, including a topper. Do not use the mattress model's advertised depth from memory.

A pocket that is too shallow pulls off. A pocket that is far too deep can bunch and wrinkle. Elastic quality also matters.

Check bed size carefully. IKEA and North American labels can cause confusion for duvets and frames, although standard mattress sheet sizes are easier. Read the centimetre dimensions.

The verdict: a perfect fabric in the wrong depth is a bad sheet.

Wash sheets before judging them

Wash new sheets according to the label. Use a modest amount of detergent. Avoid packing the machine too tightly. Dry on a reasonable temperature.

Percale often softens over several washes. Sateen can lose some initial shine. Flannel may shed lint early.

Do not use fabric softener as the default. It can coat fibres. Dryer sheets can do the same. Wool dryer balls are an option, but they do not replace correct heat and load size.

If a sheet twists badly, sheds excessively, loses stitching or will not stay on the mattress, use the return or warranty process quickly.

The verdict: judge after one proper wash, but know the return rules before washing.

Check the return policy before opening the package

Sheets are personal-use items. A store may accept an unopened return and reject the same set after one wash. An online brand may advertise a sleep trial but exclude clearance colours or purchases made through another retailer.

Before paying, ask four questions:

1. Can the sheets be returned after washing?
2. Who pays return shipping?
3. Are sale and clearance colours final sale?
4. Is comfort preference covered, or only a manufacturing defect?

Keep the receipt, package and law label until the fit is confirmed. Take a photograph of loose stitching, dye marks or a wrong measurement before washing again.

A warranty is not a comfort trial. Silk & Snow's bedding warranty, for example, covers defective workmanship or materials for one year. It excludes normal wear, pilling and comfort preference. A retailer selling the product may use its own return policy.

The verdict: do not wash an expensive set until you know whether washing ends your return right.

What to buy at each Toronto budget

Under $50

Choose IKEA for a basic set or separate replacement pieces. Check Costco and Simons clearance, but do not depend on a particular colour. Avoid microfibre unless price and easy care matter more than heat.

$50 to $120

Simons is the strongest range. Its $110 cotton percale queen set is a safe benchmark and often drops below regular price. Costco's $114.99 Kirkland six-piece Pima cotton set gives more pillowcases and an 18-inch pocket, but its 680-thread-count sateen will feel warmer and heavier than percale.

$120 to $200

Silk & Snow percale is the best Toronto showroom upgrade. QE Home also makes sense when a sale brings a clearly labelled cotton set into this range.

Over $200

Go to Au Lit only when you can name the upgrade. Custom sizing, a particular Italian or Portuguese fabric, long-term separate-piece replacement or a difficult mattress can justify the cost. A generic promise of luxury cannot.

The verdict: $80 to $140 is the useful middle. Spend more only to solve a problem you can describe.

A one-trip Toronto shopping plan

If you need to touch fabric, start at Silk & Snow on Caledonia Road or Au Lit on Tycos Drive. They are in the same broad north-west Toronto design-shopping area, although they are not beside each other. Confirm showroom hours and product availability first.

For a mall trip, QE Home and Linen Chest locations vary. Use each retailer's official store finder before leaving. Simons is easiest online for many Toronto shoppers, so order only after checking delivery and return terms.

For the lowest budget, go directly to IKEA. HomeSense and Winners can be added when they are already on your route. They should never be the only stop when you need a specific size tonight.

The verdict: one planned showroom plus one price benchmark is enough. Six stores will not make a normal cotton sheet more comfortable.

Our final buying plan

For most people, buy a 100 per cent cotton percale set from Simons during a good sale. For the lowest dependable price, buy IKEA. If you do not know your preferred weave, visit QE Home and touch percale, sateen and flannel in the same trip.

Use Costco as an opportunity, not a plan. Use HomeSense and Winners only if you enjoy searching. Skip mystery marketplace brands.

If the mattress itself is the problem, sheets will not fix it. Our Toronto mattress buying guide explains trials, showrooms and return traps.

The final verdict: clear material, correct fit and easy returns matter more than a fancy label.

Frequently asked questions