After about 500, what you’re paying for are the salaries of those tricky folks in the marketing department who realized they could describe a 500-thread-count sheet as a 1,000­ if it’s woven with two-ply thread. The truth is that you’re likely to find 300- or 400- count sheets plenty luxurious (and easier on the checkbook). Guests staying in the presidential suite at the Four Seasons in New York City, one of the priciest hotel rooms in the country, pay $15,000 a night and they’re resting their weary, wealthy bodies on 220-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets.

Egyptian is the key here – ­that variety is acknowledged to have the longest fiber, another contributor to softness. Once you’ve selected sheets, of course, you have to share them.

And there, the troubles too often begin.

One couple we know disagrees on how to tuck in the top sheet. He likes to anchor a generous swath so his feet don’t poke out. She likes enough covers to form a turtleneck at the top. The solution is simple, though it took them a while to figure it out: they tuck in the sheet at an angle.

A more common cause for conflict among couples is the side-to-side shortage, caused by a sleeper who rolls over… and over and over. On a queen bed, a king-size top sheet can ease the tussle. For hardcore cases, we suggest two top sheets overlapped in the middle. At bedtime, the illusion is that you’re cozily covered by the same sheet. Later, the roller winds up in his, or her, own little burrito without uncovering his bedmate.

Dan and Jennifer: This one is a non-issue for us – we both love soft! Egyptian cotton is definitely the way to go and we recommend 600-800 thread count sheets. Macy’s Hotel collection is awesome if there’s a Macy’s in your area.

Topper tips

In the bed-as-battleground department, second to sheet spats are temperature tantrums.

One partner prefers to set the A/C on “cryogenic” while the other lies shivering in flannel pajamas ­in August. Clearly, this is grounds for a blanket intervention. The most heated arguments we’ve heard between partners with a body-temp differential are caused by down duvets, which have taken bedrooms by storm.

Unfortunately, no matter how “summer weight” a duvet claims to be, it always seems to make someone sweat. And try throwing off a duvet when you feel a little steamy. It becomes a fabric-and feathers snow bank threatening to avalanche. So we’re fans of the sheet-and-blanket combo. The enormous variety of fabrics and weights lets you fine-tune your comfort level: cotton for summer, wool for warmth and pleasing heft in winter.

The point is to layer independently: cover the entire bed with a lightweight cotton blanket, then on your side, add a cashmere throw. (Electric blankets are a retro, but remarkably effective alternative. Equipped with dual remotes­ and no wires­ you each control the temp on your half of the bed.)

Dan and Jennifer: Dan has a light weight down blanket on his side and I have an added quilt, folded in half on my side of the bed – that way we are both comfy and cozy.

Mattress matters

But even the finest bedding can’t make up for a bed with bad ergonomics.

Unfortunately…

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