If you prefer an informal look, linen is the way to go. Made from the fibres of the flax plant, linen is stiffer in texture, though over time linen bedding will become incredibly soft. Linen bedding tends to be more breathable than most cotton weaves, so it's a popular choice for summer. It does crease very easily, but we think in a very attractive way. If you're thinking seasonally, you could opt for linen sheets in the warmer months, and then flannel bedding in the cooler ones. Flannel bedding is brushed on one or both sides of the surface to create a soft, cosy feel.
And of course, don't forget to consider how you want your bedding to look. There's a huge variety of colour and detailing out there to choose from. If your bedroom is quite masculine, soften it up with scallop-edged or frilly cotton sheets, or if you want a super-feminine feel then patterned bedding or a floral eiderdown will have a great effect. A classic pintuck Oxford border, or an embroidered line around the edge, will create that sophisticated hotel look, or opt for rumpled linen in a soft pastel shade if you prefer a more rustic look.
Pillowcases are well worth investing in, as much if not more so than your fitted sheet or mattress topper. Of course, from a luxury perspective, silk pillowcases are the best that money can buy. Mulberry silk and other forms of the material have long shown to deliver benefits to your skin and hair by reducing creases and pressure on skin. Even better, they are not nearly so impractical as they used to be, with many brands offering machine washable options (though they do recommend hand washing). If you find your face is often puffy in the morning, take stock of what pillowcase combination you're using. If you are sleeping on down pillows, try changing to a hypoallergenic filling. To read our guide to the best pillows head here.
We've rounded up the best places to buy bed linen and the best bed sheets here in the UK and further afield. So, whether you prefer rustic linens, crisp cotton or soft flannelette; bright colours or pretty patterns, we have created the perfect shopping list for your very best night's sleep. Click here for more bedroom ideas.
Reasons to buy:
Dusk might not be a name you're familiar with, but the House & Garden team have tried and tested a whole host of their products to rave review. They have a stylish selection of designs, from crisp Egyptian cotton to cool linens, there's something for everyone in terms of material. Design-wise, their team have opted to play with texture more than colour palette, with mostly white bedding in their range. With affordable prices that belie the great quality of the linen, Dusk is a great destination for simple white bedding.
What we're buying:
Several of the House & Garden team own sheets from the 'Marseille' range in 600 thread-count cotton sateen. They are the company's best seller and feel like sinking into a cloud. The Kensington bed linen is invitingly soft, too, with a thread count of 800.
Top bedding picks from Dusk:
Reasons to buy:
There's a reason The White Company has become a classic destination for crisp white bedding. It's an evergreen, reasonably priced favourite, with subtle patterns and detailing that add variety to their collection. The White Company's bedding offering is mostly, well, white. However, their range is anything but dull. Playing with materials, textures, and various levels of luxury, any one of their bedding products is guaranteed to be excellent quality.
What we're buying:
The White Company's ladder-stitched Santorini Bed Collection is particularly pretty and looks just as good in a summer setting as it does in winter.
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