We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
The ultimate guide to buying linen bedding
Crisp, cool, and no ironing required
Linen is a fabric often associated with the breezy days of summer: it’s likely you’ve got a wear-anywhere linen dress or pair of relaxed trousers stashed in your holiday wardrobe. However, linen bedding remains a sensible investment for all seasons.
What are the benefits of linen bedding?
Crisp, cool and pleasingly low-maintenance, there’s a reason this natural fabric is fast making its way into the most well-curated bedrooms. “The beauty of linen is that it only improves with age and use, getting softer with each wash,” explains Anna Delprat, brand manager at homeware brand Cultiver. With its deliberate crumpled finish, linen bedding also looks lovely fresh from the line (or out of the tumble dryer) meaning there’s no need to get the iron out.
There are sustainability benefits in store here, too. “Linen is a natural textile, woven from flax fibres,” says Delprat. “It's a more sustainable crop than most, requiring less than 25 per cent of the water needed for cotton. Byproducts like flaxseed and flax oil can also be produced from the crops, meaning there is very little waste.”
But the eco appeal isn’t the only reason to invest in linen: this natural fibre makes for a very good-looking bed set, too. The gentle texture is ideal for bringing warmth to a neutral-hued room, adding tactile contrast whatever your colour scheme.
Are linen bedsheets good for your skin?
Still not convinced? There are also some beauty benefits to sleeping in linen. If you have sensitive skin, one of the biggest aggravators can be sleeping on scratchy or synthetic material. “Linen’s natural softness can be a real treat if you have delicate skin,” says the founder of bedding brand Bedfolk, Jo James.“Its fibres are bacteria-resistant and hypoallergenic, making it a win-win for hot sleepers and those with acne-prone skin.”
So, when temperatures start to rise after the Christmas season, it might be time to swap your heavier Egyptian cotton bedding for linen instead. “Its unique weave allows for increased airflow and makes it highly breathable,” says James. “Plus, its moisture-wicking properties have the effect of a natural antiperspirant for hot nights spent tossing and turning.”
How to care for linen bedding
When caring for any luxury bedding set, a gentle approach is always best. With linen, Delprat advises “a gentle machine wash, up to 40°C, with an all-natural detergent or a detergent that does not contain optical brighteners, and a gentle tumble or line dry. We recommend the European mentality of ‘one set on the bed, one set on the line’ to reduce wear and lengthen the life of your linen.” Here, see the linen bedding sets we recommend investing in now.
The best linen bedding to refresh your bedroom now
Occupying a covetable spot in the market, Rise & Fall is both sustainably minded and seriously luxurious.
Already a Bazaar favourite for its Mongolian cashmere jumpers and organic cotton sheets, the brand has recently branched into linen bedding.
Each European-linen piece is made in a family-owned Portuguese factory using majority-renewable energy, and 99 per cent of the water involved in production is recycled. The launch also marks the first time the brand has played with colour; the 'Relaxed and Refined Linen Duvet Set bundle' comes in five colour varieties, and ranges from double to super-king.
Cultiver’s thoughtfully made bedding is woven from flax grown in Europe and pre-washed to ensure your sheets arrive with the softest handle. The brand’s linen is Oeko-Tex certified, and designs are both minimalist and timeless, meaning your investment is sure to complement your bedroom for years to come.
We love the muted sage colourway against neutral decor – but other colours include smoke grey, nude and a gentle blush.
For quality basics at pleasing prices, H&M Home is well worth a perusal. The brand's linen bedding sets are somewhat of a sleeper hit, garnering a flawless streak of five-star reviews, including this chic style available in sand, white, sage green and beige.
Unusually, the brand offers valances in complementary shades too, so you can create a full linen scheme from bed head to foot.
Rich shades of navy and olive make Soho Home’s rustic linen bedding perfect for bringing warmth to a bedroom, but there are five colours to choose from, from double to Emperor size.
Each piece is made from European flax by a factory in Portugal (the home of quality textiles) individually cut, and stonewashed to create that softened, crumpled finish.
Heal's linen offerings are Oeko-Tex certified: essentially, this means they've been created completely free from materials or chemicals that are harmful to the body and the environment.
We love the richness of the cinnamon colourway, but fans of pretty pastels will enjoy the bright, playful lilac. There are plenty of different colours and patterns to choose from, with 14 different varieties available.
When we're looking for quality hotel-style basics, Soak & Sleep is always a go-to. Its linen bedding is soft, comes in fourteen colours and is heavy enough to work throughout the colder months as well as the summer season.
Ranging from single to super-king sizes, every bed style is covered.
Here's another Oeko-Tex certified set, available in soft pink, grey or classic white. Mother-of-pearl button fastenings add an extra flash of luxury. Build up your own set, or opt for a bundle for a modest saving.
With sizes from Single to Super King, the eco-conscious among us will be pleased to hear each order arrives in plastic-free packaging.
Nkuku uses fine Portuguese linen to weave its rustic linen bed covers. Slender hand-tied fastenings – which are mirrored on the matching pillow cases – amplify the laid-back feel.
The quality is unbeatable – and comes in natural, charcoal and olive tones for King or Super King size.
Bedfolk's linen bedding is soft but weighty to the touch, and washes beautifully. The brand's staple colour range features sweet muted pastels that feel perfect for spring: consider the pale rose hue against dark wood floors.
There are also eight other colour options, and sizes range from single duvet covers all the way up to super-king.
