Bedding

How to Choose Bedding & Linens

The right linens make a bed uniquely yours. With so many thread count, weave, and fabric options, shopping for bedding and linens can get confusing. Understanding your available options will help you find the perfect look and feel.

Fit & Budget

Bed linen sets with low thread counts, meaning less threads per square inch, are usually more reasonably priced. On the other hand, higher thread counts provide additional comfort but may also come with a higher cost. Linens with high thread counts tend to feel softer on the skin and last longer. To pick the best bedding, stick to trusted brands and manufacturers. They also come in specific measurements to fit each mattress size, making choosing the correct linens for your bed vital.

Fabric

Material is another factor that determines bedding and linen quality and texture. For example, higher-end fabrics, like Egyptian cotton, can have low thread counts but feel much softer than those with high thread counts.

Cotton is the most common material used to make sheets. Egyptian cotton, made with extra-long fibers, is supremely soft and luxurious. Prima cotton is an affordable alternative that is still quite soft. While these cottons tend to be treated with chemicals to keep them from wrinkling, organic cotton is an entirely chemical-free option.

Linen fabric has a light, airy, and relaxed feel. An absorbent and breathable material, linen provides an ideal sleeping temperature all night. Though sometimes expensive and prone to wrinkling, this durable fabric can last for decades.

Poly blends combine fibers of different fabrics, and are made to resist both stains and wrinkling. Cotton-linen blends take the best qualities of both materials, featuring the texture and breathability of linen, as well as the durability of cotton.

Weave

In addition to thread count and material, how threads intertwine is important. Sheets can go through various thread arrangements and chemical processes. Different techniques result in different styles or weaves.

Percale is a common weave found in sheets as well as towels and other bedding. Its basic over-under threading creates a strong, lightweight sheet that feels crisp and smooth to the touch.

A luxury weave, sateen has a high thread count with more vertical than horizontal threads. The design makes for a soft, smooth, and breathable knit. Sateen sheets are usually made of cotton or a cotton blend. The sheets are wrinkle and mildew resistant and have a glossy appearance. Sateen sheets are less durable than stronger weaves and can snag more easily.

Satin is made of tightly woven fibers. This sleek and smooth weave traditionally uses silk but can also be made of synthetics. Satin is not as breathable as other knits.

Jersey is the same soft, stretchy knit used for everyday clothing, such as t-shirts. It is usually made of poly-cotton blend, but the materials tend to be of lower quality. Jersey is also less durable than other weaves.

With its soft, fuzzy feel, flannel is best for keeping cozy. This medium-weight weave is made from cotton.

Selecting a Color

White and off-white hues, such as cream, beige, and eggshell, are classics that fit almost any existing color palette. If you go with solid-colored sheets, contrasting them against the wall or headboard color is a stylish option. Patterned bedding and linens are another popular choice, though concentrating too much-printed fabric in one place can be hard on the eye. Instead, dress up your bed by balancing large, dramatic patterns with solid colors and subtle prints, such as:

• Blue
• Gray
• Green
• Pink
• Red
• White