PAY IN 3 with an LR Pay Credit Account. 
We spend about a third of our lives asleep, so choosing the best bed linen is absolutely essential. There are lots of different bedding types so you’ll certainly find the perfect combo to suit your sleeping style, but it can get a bit confusing – from thread counts to pillowcases, flat sheets vs fitted sheets and the endless fabric options, there’s a lot to consider when you're deciding how to choose bedding.
But don’t worry! When it comes to bedding types, we’re the experts. Before you start your bedroom shopping, take a look at our bedding guide to find our top tips for choosing bed linen and achieving the Holy Grail – a perfect night’s sleep.
Bedding Types
We all know about the standard bedding types – duvet covers, fitted sheets and pillowcases. Not much more to it, right? Well actually, there is… but it’s good to get the basics right first.
What bedding parts you choose will depend on your personal preference, but here’s a quick guide to the different types of bed sheets:
- A duvet cover
- A flat or fitted sheet
- Pillowcases – at least two for a single bed, four for a double or bigger
If you want to go a step further, you could also look at:
- A mattress topper for an extra layer of comfort
- A quilt or comforter for more warmth during cold weather
- A mattress protector – good for kids’ beds
- A flat sheet to use instead of a duvet during warm weather
Think about fabrics, too – cotton is classic, and a higher thread count will give you softer sheets. Linen is another great option as it’s soft and comfortable while being super stylish, too. And we’re loving the texture trend in bedding right now – keep an eye out for embroidery and tufted details.
Best Bedding Fabric
Finding the right bed linen fabric is key to a cosy, comfy bed… but it really comes down to personal preference. There are so many fabrics to choose from – like cotton, linen and microfibre - that it’s easy to get bogged down with options, and things like thread count might start to get super confusing. So let’s break it down a bit.
Linen vs. cotton
If you like sliding into a crisp, cool bed after a long day, look for 100% cotton sheets. Cotton is popular and versatile – it’s soft, breathable and durable, making it great for kids’ bedding and everyday use. Our faves include the Augusta fitted sheet which is as classic as they come, and the Majari floral washed cotton duvet which is soft but still super fresh. <.p>
Linen bed sheets can be more expensive than other options, but if you’re looking for luxury there’s really no better choice. Linen is a natural, breathable fabric that’s ideal for warm sleepers as it will keep you cool in hot weather, but it can also be layered up with blankets for a cosier winter feel.
Our linen bedding comes in a huge range of colours to suit your bedroom décor, and it only gets better (and softer!) over time.
Silk
Silk might not be your first choice when it comes to bedding types, but it’s a fantastic option for those who want something a little more luxurious. It’s also excellent for those with sensitive skin, as it’s naturally hypoallergenic. If you have allergies, asthma or a skin condition, silk bedding is non-irritating and contains natural amino acids that make it soothing against the skin.
This silk and linen mix duvet is a stylish option if you’re looking for the best bed linen for the warmer months, as it’s really light and refreshing to sleep under.
Microfibre
If you like your bedding simple and effective, microfibre is the choice for you. Microfibre bedding is really budget-friendly and it’s low maintenance too – great if you absolutely hate washing and ironing bed sheets! It’s soft to the touch and durable too, but the big benefit is its wrinkle resistance – you can scrunch microfibre sheets up in your washing machine and they’ll always come out smooth. A really easy, affordable option - we love the added stitch detail on this microfibre pillowcase.
Best Thread Count
It’s easy to think that a high thread count equals the best bedding quality, but that’s really not the case anymore. The thread count on bed linen simply measures the number of vertical and horizontal threads per square inch. The higher the thread count, the more threads there are in that fabric.
High thread count bed linen feels heavier, a bit like luxury hotel bedding. Lower thread count sheets might feel lighter and a bit airy, but can still be very soft. And if you prefer jersey bedding, thread count doesn’t come into it at all!
The most important thing to think about when you’re choosing bed linen is how you want it to feel. 100% cotton sheets will always be cool and crisp, whereas jersey material will be cosy and linen will be soft. Go with your heart rather than the numbers!
A 400-Thread Count Duvet from AM.PM
Bedding Parts: How Much Do You Actually Need?
It’s tempting to choose pretty new bedding for every week of the month, but realistically – how much bedding is too much bedding? To answer that question, it’s best to think about your household needs.
It’s a good idea to go for bedding quality over quantity and spend a little more on the best bed linen for your budget As a basic rule though, we’d recommend three sets for your master bed, two sets for your spare bed and two sets for children’s beds. That way, you can change your bedding often without having to do a load of laundry in one go to get the sheets back on.
Although, if you want to go European and use two single duvets instead of one double – honestly, try it! – you might need four single sets for your master bed.
Mattress protectors – worth it?
Mattress protectors are great for adding an extra layer of comfort to your bedding setup… and they have the added bonus of keeping your mattress clean and dry too.
Particularly for children’s cots and beds, a waterproof cot mattress protector will take care of any middle-of-the-night accidents and ensure the mattress below isn’t damaged.
And if your house gets very hot in summer, an insulating mattress protector improves airflow between your mattress and your bed frame, stopping humidity from causing damage to the wood.
Fitted sheet vs. flat sheet – which is best?
Sheets are the foundation of bedding – get the sheets right and the rest will fall into place. But they can also be confusing, with different types of bed sheets serving different purposes. So fitted sheets vs flat sheets – which is best?
Fitted sheets are the most popular option, with their elasticated corners making it very easy to pull over your mattress, and stay put no matter how much you toss and turn in the night.
Flat sheets have to be tucked under the mattress and don’t have that handy elastic to keep them in place. However, this doesn’t mean flat sheets are totally redundant!
In warmer weather, a flat sheet is much better than a duvet when you want something to cover you up without making you too hot. And if you don’t have a lot of storage for spare duvets, flat sheets are great for guests too.
Having a few flat sheets in your bed linen collection is a good idea – a classic white linen sheet is a top buy, while a jazzy printed sheet will look great in a sumptuous space.
Duvet covers - yes or no?
Duvet covers are often thought as an essential bedding part… but do you really need one?
Again, it really depends on your personal preference and how you like to sleep. Duvets provide a heavy layer of warmth that many people find cosy and comforting, but if you get hot at night you might prefer a flat sheet – especially in the summer months. If you share a bed with your partner, two single duvets can often make more sense than sharing one between you, particularly if one of you is an active sleeper and spends most of the night wriggling!
Aside from the practicalities of a duvet, there’s also the aesthetics to consider. If you’re wondering how to layer a bed, a duvet is the answer – a block colour duvet creates a perfect foundation for pillows, cushions and throws, while a patterned duvet is a statement piece that draws the eye and makes your bed the focal point of the room.
Pillowcases - too much?
Although we love the style and design of pillowcases, they serve more than just an aesthetic purpose. Using a pillowcase over your pillow is far more hygienic that just sleeping on the pillow itself, because you can remove and wash pillowcases easily.
Our pillowcases are available in two different sizes - you can choose from the standard rectangle or a square version to add height and detail to your bed. Mixing and matching your pillowcases is a great way to add interest and detail to your bed – vary the height and style of your pillowcases and mix plain neutrals with bold block colours and statement prints. There’s no such thing as too many pillows!
Bedspreads - are they necessary?
Bedspreads and quilts might not seem like an essential part of your bedding set up, but they can be useful for certain times of year and for bringing texture and detail to your space.
Bedspreads are often thrown over the top of a made bed as the final step. They’re usually decorative, made in textured fabrics like velvet or with embroidered detail. If you prefer simple neutrals for your bed linen, you might like the added design element of a bedspread to tie in with the rest of your bedroom.
But bedspreads do serve a purpose, too. During autumn when the weather isn’t quite cold enough to switch to your winter duvet, a bedspread will add an extra layer of warmth until you’re ready to upgrade your tog count.
So although they might not be number 1 on your bedding types list, bedspreads can definitely be useful as well as great to look at!
Choosing the Right Bed Linen
How to choose bedding that’s right for you will always be a really personal thing. The two key things to take into account are:
- Your sleeping style – do you run hot or cold? Any allergies or sensitivities? Do you move around a lot or sleep still and soundly?
- Your personal style – what’s the rest of your bedroom like? Do you prefer a bold statement look or a peaceful neutral style?
We’d recommend starting with your sleeping style to work out which bedding parts you actually need, including single vs double duvet, fitted sheet or flat sheet and number of pillowcases as well as fabric choice.
Once you’ve got that sorted, move on to bedding styles. Your bedroom décor will be the biggest influence here, as you want to choose a style that complements your existing style. There are plenty of choices for duvets and pillowcases, but don’t forget sheets -who says your fitted sheet has to be plain white? Certainly not us! From striking shapes to pretty polka dots, we love a patterned sheet and have a wide range of styles – something that’s hard to find elsewhere!
If you’re looking for something trend-led, geometric bedding is having a real moment – look for clean lines and bold shapes. We also love colour combos like caramel with lilac and soft pink with sage green… and gingham checks show no signs of going anywhere!
How to Care for Bed Linen
The final section in our bedding guide is all about caring for your best bed linen. Different fabrics have slightly different care instructions, so it’s always best to follow the label and wash accordingly. But as a general rule…
- Cotton bedding can be washed on a higher heat (60 degrees) without issue. It does crease easily and you’ll probably want to iron it when dry to get that super crisp look.
- Linen bedding should be washed at a lower heat (40 degrees) to avoid shrinkage. That crumpled look is part of linen’s natural charm though, so don’t bother with the iron here!
- For silk bedding, check the label first but be aware that silk can be damaged by high temperatures – it’s usually best to wash it on a cool, delicate cycle.
- Microfibre sheets are synthetic, so stick to 30 degrees when washing and don’t tumble dry. No ironing for these sheets, either.
Picking the right bed linen is a personal choice, but hopefully our bedding guide has given you some tips and tricks to help you find your perfect match. For more inspiration, take a look at our bedding ideas for every style or this post on 7 kids bedding sets for every aesthetic.
