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Bonus: they look better unironed. Textile Bedding Set
The feeling of slipping into fresh sheets is one of life's little pleasures. But sheets that actually look better when they haven't been ironed? Now you're really talking.
Linen bedding adds a more rustic, rumpled, chic look to your bedroom but it can also be more sustainable, hardwearing and temperature-regulating than cotton options. Made from the flax plant, it's natural, biodegradable and requires far less water to grow that cotton counterparts.
With care, your new set should last many years. So if you’re looking to replace your current sheets or are looking for something cooling, a quality linen bedding set makes a great buy for your home.
It's true that linen bedding sets can be pricey in comparison to cotton or polyester sheets, with a set costing around £200 on average. While we almost think it’s worth it for that crumply, laid-back aesthetic alone, the higher cost of linen bedding is due to how labour intensive it is to produce.
“Linen comes from the flax plant which is more difficult to harvest than cotton. It’s grown almost exclusively in Western Europe, and it's also harder to spin,” says Emily Attwood, founder of Scooms. “It's definitely an investment, but worth it for its natural breathability, great temperature regulation properties and durability.”
“Linen bedding is not necessarily better than cotton or vice versa. The best option for you will be the one that gives you the best night's sleep,” continues Emily.
She recommends choosing the best quality bedding that you can afford, and prioritising those with accreditations such OEKO-Tex 100, which certifies against harsh chemicals and toxins, and NoMite, which certifies bedding is suitable for those with dust mite allergies.
“Decide whether you like your bedding to feel smooth and silky like sateen cotton, cool and crisp like percale cotton, or cosy and warm like linen,” Emily continues. “This will help you choose which fabric and weave will suit you best.”
The natural characteristics of linen are ideally suited to bedding. With superior breathability and insulation, linen provides excellent temperature regulation all year-round. “This fabric is also incredibly strong and durable which means linen bedding is reassuringly long-lasting, says Emily. “If you have an allergy or skin condition, this material makes a great choice as it’s naturally antimicrobial, helping prevent bacterial growth.”
Plus, sleeping in linen sheets makes a fabulous option for hot sleepers. This material errs on the lower side of thread count (and — importantly — it's not all about that anyway), but the correspondingly looser weave makes it much better at maintaining airflow and wicking away moisture than polyester or cotton.
As a bonus, it also tends to increase in softness the more it’s washed, so making one investment now guarantees many good nights' sleep to come.
You should wash linen sheets as often as you would wash cotton ones, or any other material. It’s best to change your bedding once a week to keep your bed fresh, and regular washes will help protect more expensive items like your mattress, duvet and pillows from oils, sweat and hair.
“If you don't wash your linen regularly then these bodily secretions become embedded in the fibres of your bedding, making them more difficult to remove, which could lead to certain health issues,” Emily concludes. “Dust mite droppings, for example, can cause allergic rhinitis or breathing problems if you have asthma.
We've rounded up some of our favourite linen bedding sets to shop now, guaranteed to have you looking forward to jumping into bed every night (not that we need much more encouragement...).
Rise & Fall's linen bedding is made in the same factories as big luxury names like Frette and Four Seasons, and you can feel it — so you can feel smug about your smart investment every time you tuck in at night.
There is a nice range of colours available, including a completely natural, unbleached option (select 'neutral'), which is something we haven't seen before and is equally as good for sensitive skin as it is lovely to look at.
French brand La Redoute's linen bedding comes in one of the largest colour ranges we've found, from soothing greys and pale blues to punchy reds and yellows, so there should be something to suit.
The quality is also impressive considering the brand runs such frequent and generous sales, so shopping here means you're likely to get a good price on something that looks much more expensive.
We found it tough to choose our favourite shade from Piglet's range but this soothing sage option clinched it.
The material is super soft; we've had our set for a couple of years and it still looks good-as-new. An investment, yes, but a worthy one in our eyes.
There are also linen bedding sets in gingham available, which have become the brand's best-seller.
This Etsy seller makes everything to order, so you know you're getting something special. There are also IKEA size-specific options available in case you have one of its awkwardly sized mattresses.
This shop has the largest size range we've ever seen and, as a bonus, will make you something custom should you ever need!
We're always impressed with the quality of Soak & Sleep's products (the 600 thread-count cotton bedding is fabulous), so we like that the brand also has a linen range. There's a good range of shades that you can mix and match, too.
Mango is a go-to for affordable elevated basics, and this 100% linen duvet cover has an expensive, almost silky look and feel.
It's super light and breathable, so comfortable to sleep in, and looks especially stylish in a minimalist bedroom. Angelic, even.
The thoughtful shade collection on offer at Heal's makes its linen bedding collection one of our favourites.
Each will blend well with others, meaning you can create a pretty scheme no matter which colours you decide to mix.
We were impressed with Bedfolk's linen bedding range when we tried it — thanks to Belgian and French flax, this one is hard to beat if you want something that's seriously soft.
Choose from standard or square pillowcases but you'll need to add those on separately, as John Lewis doesn't sell sets.
H&M Home is a great high-street option for quality basics at a friendly price, and who said linen had to be neutral?
This bolder khaki set looks especially chic when styled with natural, woody colours for a trendy take on earthly hues.
If you have preconceptions of linen bedding being scratchy, these Scooms sheets will change your mind. We find ourselves reaching for these over the others in our drawer come washing day; they really are dreamy.
All the colours tone well too, so you can create a fresh scheme no matter which pieces you choose — or save 5% by buying a set. Packaging is plastic-free.
Channel a boutique hotel aesthetic with these sophisticated sheets. Crafted from bamboo and French linen, this lust-worthy set has temperature regulating properties that will keep you cool in summer and warm in winter, so it's ideal for everyday use. A true little bit of luxury.
The Linen Works has a very grown-up selection of bedding made from only the finest materials.
Everything is sold separately and it's at the higher end of the price scale, but it's all beautiful. We like these pillows with a coloured border especially; they're a little more unusual.
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