Discover the Best Bed Linen: From Bamboo, Linen and Cotton

Few would deny that at the end of a long, hard day, sliding into a bed fitted with beautifully soft, smooth bed linen, is one of life’s greatest pleasures. After all, we spend nearly a third of our life in bed, so why wouldn’t we want the best?

Yet when it comes to buying new bed linen, where do you begin? From thread counts to fabric, there’s so much to consider. It is difficult to know before you buy what material is going to best suit your ideal sleep experience. When you don't know your bamboo from your cotton, it is easy to feel ovewhelmed.

So, we’ve made it easy for you with a guide to the key things you should look for when you’re in the market for new bed linen.

Cotton is the most common linen material, and is a material we frequently use in our everyday lives. However, it is not as simple as it may initially seem. There are four main points to consider when purchasing cotton sheets

Cotton has always been a favourite for bed linen because of its softness and breathability, but it can vary greatly in quality. Always look for cotton identified as 100% long-staple cotton, because this produces the softest, smoothest and strongest weave. Sheets made with shorter staple cotton fibres lead to a coarser, weaker, fabric.

Although thread count does matter, it’s not the most important factor when considering which linen to buy. Most experts agree that a higher thread count does not necessarily translate to a softer, or better quality sheet. As long as all the other factors are good, 200–600 is considered to be ideal, but it’s down to personal preference. Lower-end options are generally lightweight, cool, and crisp. Higher-end sheets are more tightly woven, which means they will be warmer, silkier and softer. Anything below 200 may feel rather rough. Anything above 600 should be viewed with caution. The thread count refers to the amount of woven threads that make up one square inch of sheet fabric, counting both vertical and horizontal threads and there are only so many threads that can fit in that area.

We recommend that you always choose single-ply. Single-ply produces the finest, strongest threads, which in turn produce the softest, longest-lasting sheets. Multi-ply yarns are a group of weaker yarns spun together to create a false strength. Some manufacturers will count each ply in one piece of thread to inflate thread counts. This is how high-number threads like 800 thread count are sometimes achieved. Because these super-high thread-count sheets, often made from inferior shorter, staple cotton, they tend to feel coarser and are not as durable as higher-quality cottons.

The weave of a fabric ultimately affects how it looks and feels and is a matter of personal preference. The best cotton sheets for softness and quality are either percale or sateen. Percale is a one-yarn-over and one-yarn-under weave, which results in a matte finish. The finish leaves cool, crisp feel that improves with every wash. It’s especially perfect for warmer sleepers as its lightweight and breathable. The latter, sateen, is a one-yarn-under and three-yarn-over weave. More thread surface exposed by this weave gives sateen its signature silky-soft feel and luminous sheen. Sateen is naturally wrinkle-resistant, usually more tightly woven and heavier in weight than percale, making it particularly sumptuous and slightly warmer. It’s ideal for year-round comfort and is especially cosy during the winter.

Coco & Wolf's bed linen, made from luxurious Liberty Tana Lawn fabric, embodies elegance and sophistication. Renowned for its softness and exquisite floral prints, this collection offers unparalleled comfort and timeless style for a truly luxurious bedtime experience.

Cotton Collective's bed linen exemplifies luxury and sustainability. Made from premium, eco-friendly cotton, their linen is exceptionally soft, breathable, and durable. Designed for ultimate comfort and timeless style, Cotton Collective's bed linen transforms any bedroom into a serene and elegant retreat.

Avery Row's bed linen for kids combines luxurious comfort with stylish design. Made from high-quality, eco-friendly materials, their linen offers a soft, breathable, and durable option for a restful night's sleep. Perfect for any season, Avery Row's bed linen adds a touch of elegance to any child's bedroom.

Moozle bed linen offers a delightful blend of comfort and playful design. Crafted from high-quality, eco-friendly materials, their linen is soft, breathable, and durable, ensuring a cozy and restful sleep. With charming patterns and vibrant colors, Moozle bed linen brings a touch of fun and style to any bedroom.

A new material to the bed linen market is cotton blended with a revolutionary botanical yarn, Tencel™, which creates a lightweight textile that’s both soft and crisp. By choosing to sleep in Tencel™, you’re opting for one of the world’s most sustainable materials. This luxurious yarn is made from sustainably grown botanicals such as eucalyptus that produce a silky smooth, soft and lightweight texture.

Undercover is a new bed linen brand that unites quality, design and sustainability. Undercover was founded by Miriam Tyrangiel who was tired of the conventional bed linen options on offer. Until now, good quality only seemed to come in plain white cotton while design-forward products tend to sacrifice quality. Undercover is a new approach to home textiles with a bold design philosophy and a dedication to quality and our environment. 

Linen can be perfect if you want that über-chic rumpled look in the bedroom. Unlike with cotton, thread count is not a factor in linen in the same way, because a tightly woven, high thread count linen would feel far too heavy for bed linen. Linen is woven from the flax plant, which grows best in Europe’s temperate climates. Flax from Belgium, France, and Ireland is especially celebrated for its longer fibres which are key for a smoother, softer, and more durable weave. In stonewashing linen, the stones organically abrade the fabric to further loosen the weave and increase flexibility and softness.

Cotton and linen are both ideal fabrics for sleeping in the heat. They are both woven from natural fibres that breathe naturally, which is crucial for keeping cool. Whilst percale which is known for a crisp, cool feel is perfect for hot weather, linen has natural cooling properties. Linen, being more breathable, is moisture-wicking, and more absorbent than cotton. It is also a natural temperature regulator and insulator, keeping one cool in the summer and warm in winter.

Bedtime is the Secret Linen Stores favourite time and here's why they would love to make your bed, dress your windows and make you comfy for your home time.

All Piglet in Bed bed linen is made from beautiful, soft European flax linen with natural temperature-regulating properties that will ensure you sleep comfortably.

Scoom's linen bed linen is for all seasons, combining super-soft comfort with laid-back looks. Designed to keep you cosy in the winter and cool in the summer for relaxed luxury all year round.

Imagine having silk bed linen with all the benefits and none of the drawbacks... Imagine if your bed linen was sumptuously soft, giving you the beauty sleep you deserve with glowing skin and healthy hair.

Style meets environmental friendliness in Panda ' the brand that's on a mission to bring ultra silkiness and softness from South-east Asian bamboo fibres to the forefront in a highly sustainable manner. With the Oeko-Tex' Standard 100 stamp of approval, Panda's products ensure reliability, excellent quality and fashion. Armed with a 10 year guarantee and a 30-night free trial, Panda promises luxury and cleanliness in the most guilt-free way, with a portion of the proceeds going towards the WWF foundation for the protection of wild pandas in dangerous environments.