We spend about a third of our lives asleep, so choosing the best quality bed linen is absolutely essential. It can get a bit confusing, though – from thread counts to pillowcases, flat sheets vs fitted sheets and the endless fabric options, there’s a lot to consider.
But don’t worry! When it comes to quality bed linen, we’re the experts. Here are our top tips for choosing bed linen and achieving the Holy Grail – a perfect night’s sleep.
What’s the best 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 that you can 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 sheets
If you like sliding into a crisp, cool bed after a long day, look for 100% cotton sheets. The Augusta fitted sheet is as classic as they come, whereas the Majari floral washed cotton duvet is soft but still super fresh.
If being snug as a bug in a rug is your bedtime aim, go for a jersey finish for your bedding. A cotton jersey duvet is great for chilly nights while a waterproof pillowcase will come in handy if you’re a bit of a drooler (hey, we all do it!).
Linen bed sheets are more expensive than other options, but if you’re looking for luxury there’s really no better choice. Linen is a fantastic fabric for keeping 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.
What’s a good thread count?
It’s easy to think that a high thread count equals the best quality, but that’s really not the case anymore.
The thread count on bed linen 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!
How much bedding 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.
As a basic rule, 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.
Mattress protectors are particularly good for children’s cots and beds – a waterproof cot mattress protector will take care of any middle-of-the-night accidents! 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?
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 bird print sheet will look great in a sumptuous space.
Picking the perfect pillowcase
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.
We love a classic white pillowcase or even a bold nautical stripe. You can also mix and match your pillow sizes for a relaxed, inviting look… there’s no such thing as too many pillows!
Finding your style
Our duvet covers, fitted sheets and single pillowcases are all sold separately rather than in packs, which is perfect if you love to mix things up! Why not pair this sunny printed duvet with these spotty pillowcases for a proper pattern clash.
The envelope fold
We don’t want to be dramatic, but we think the envelope fold is kind of life-changing. No more fiddly buttons or press studs that pop open in the night – many of our duvet covers fold at the bottom, keeping your duvet in place without the fuss.
Considered colour palette
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!
This cool geometric print looks great with the matching linens, or keep it simple with an off-white duvet. We also love this feathery version - perfect for adding an arty touch to your bedroom.
Picking the right bed linen is a personal choice, but hopefully, you’ve now got some tips and tricks to help you find your perfect match. For more inspiration on your bedroom, discover our summertime bedroom makeovers blog post and see how you can make some simple changes to transition from cosy to cool.
