There’s nothing we love more of an evening than sinking down in a bed that’s been dressed in fresh sheets.
For us, linen is king, at any time of year. The fabric is made from the long fibres of the flax plant (making it renewable and sustainable) and is prized in the summer for its cooling, moisture-wicking properties - but it’s a cosy choice for winter too.
Easy to care for as well as easy on the eye, dress your duvet and pillows in linen covers and prepare to drift off into a peaceful slumber. Best of all, it looks good crumpled, so no need to faff about pressing them after a wash. Life is too short to spend ironing bed sheets.
If you’re having trouble drifting off, Jessica Mason, linen expert and founder of Piglet reveals her top tips for a restful slumber:
- Try linen bed sheets: We sleep best when we are comfortably cool and dry, two of linen’s intrinsic technical feats. During the REM sleep stage, we are not very good at keeping our body temperature constant, so what we sleep in is crucial. According to a performance study by the University of Lorraine in France, linen achieved the highest score for airflow through the fabric in comparison to other regularly used bedding materials. Linen sheets are also non-allergenic, meaning they can help with hayfever symptoms which may still be apparent in the nighttime! Ditto moisture-wicking linen PJs.
- Ventilation: Leave your bedroom window open a crack (having fresh air during the night is always a huge benefit) to help air circulate. You could also leave the bedroom door ajar as this can also prevent the room from feeling stuffy. If you don’t like sleeping with an open window, ensure you leave it open for as long as possible during the day.
- Stick to your routine: Avoid napping if you can as it can make it even harder to fall asleep at night. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day (when possible) for the best sleep quality.
- Read a book: Reading before bed is a great way to take your mind off of daily stresses and relax. The physical act of reading is also a good way to tire your eyes.
- Hydrate: Drink lots of water throughout the day to prepare your body for a good night’s sleep. However, avoid drinking very large amounts of water just before bed so that you don’t need to get up multiple times for the loo. Avoid drinking caffeinated drinks like coffee or cola too close to bedtime and be careful with soft drinks. Alcohol is linked to poor sleep quality.
- Cut screen time: Scrolling on your phone before bed isn’t the best idea, because your phone screen gives off blue light which signals to your brain that it’s still daytime. Aside from that, checking your phone before bed can induce anxiety and keep you psychologically alert. Switch off your phone an hour before bed to give your brain time to unwind.
We’ve rounded up some of the nicest linen bed sheet options around.
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Cultiver Linen Bedding
A brand which oozes easy, breezy Aussie sophistication, Cultiver first launched 100 per cent pure linen bedding back in 2012. Now, with 16 gloriously earthy colours and patterns on offer, the linen collection is designed to layer together seamlessly whether you’d like to mix and match colourways or opt for a block colour aesthetic. All sheets on offer are crafted from 100 per cent pure linen woven from European flax that is OEKO-TEX certified. It’s also pre-washed with enzymes for an effortlessly worn yet ever-luxurious finish.
We’re particularly big fans of the Silk Linen Flip Pillowcases, which have 100 per cent Mulberry Silk on one side and pure linen on the other. For those who value the hair and skincare benefits of silk pillowcases but dislike the blight on your bedroom aesthetic, Cultiver has just answered your prayers.
Buy now £300.00, Cultiver
Rise & Fall Relaxed & Refined Linen Duvet Cover
Treat yourself to a bedroom makeover courtesy of Rise & Fall, a company that sells the sort of bedding you want to sink in. Available in five shades - natural, stripes, olive, ochre and this inky indigo - the duvet cover and pillowcases are made with 100 per cent European flax. The super-soft fibres feel cosy yet breathable against the skin, keeping you at the right temperature all night long.
Available in double, king and super king sizes.
Buy now £140.00, Rise & Fall
Piglet in Bed Forest Green Linen Duvet Cover
If the cooling underside of a rock feels like a pretty dreamy prospect, recreate the effect in your bedroom - minus the creepy crawlies - with Piglet in Bed’s linen duvet cover.
Available in double, king and super king sizes, the duvet cover is made from super soft 100 per cent stonewashed linen and promises to make a comfortable nest to curl up in. There are plenty more colours available if this shade of green doesn’t do it for you.
Buy now £116.10, Piglet in Bed
Panda Bamboo & French Linen Bedding - Earth Collection
Combining bamboo with linen gives this bedding set from Panda an edge, utilising both textiles' natural properties. Expect incredible softness and airiness with a temperature control that works the whole year around. A host of neutral colours are available including this soft grey, aptly dubbed Silver Lining.
Buy now £159.95, Amazon
Bedfolk Linen Bedding Bundle
We spend a third of our lives in bed, so why not splash out on sumptuous bed linen that makes it the nicest place in the house? Bedfolk’s bundle comes in a spectrum of muted neutral shades, all made from Belgian and French flax.
The set comprises a duvet cover in all standard UK sizes (single, double, king and super king) plus a pair of pillows, delivered in a matching linen storage bag.
You can add a sheet (fitted, deep and flat) for £60 extra. When winter comes, keep the look going by layering under a throw or blanket.
Buy now £199.00, Bedfolk
AM.PM Elina Linen Duvet Cover
Available in a variety of pale pastel shades (shown here in pecan), this linen duvet cover feels as good as it looks. It’s pre-washed to avoid shrinking and the naturally crinkly look means there’s no need to iron. Pillowcases are sold separately, allowing you to create a tonal or statement contrast look.
Buy now £75.00, La Redoute
Piglet Deep Teal Linen Duvet Cover
Stay as cool as a cucumber under Piglet’s teal-coloured duvet cover, which comes in single, double, king and super king sizes. Made from 100 per cent French flax, this is truly a thing of beauty, getting softer with every tumble in the washing machine. Button fastening and machine washable.
Buy now £116.10, Piglet in Bed
Simple & Opulence Washed Linen Cotton Blend Duvet Cover
Made with a mix of cotton and linen, this set comprises a duvet cover and two standard pillowcases in double, king and super king sizes. The covers close with fabric ties, adding to the sumptuous feel of the set. Machine washable at 60 degrees or less.
Buy now £59.99, Amazon
Scooms Double Linen Bedding
Oh, the joy of clean white sheets! In the summer, the ecstasy of slipping between them can only be heightened by the fact they’re made from linen. The collection spans covers in all the standard UK sizes fastened with pretty mother-of-pearl buttons, a set of housewife-style pillows and fitted sheets. You can have your new bed linen in a flash too, there’s free next-day delivery on UK orders made before 1pm in the week. Also available in grey and pink.
Buy now £232.75, Scooms
Soak & Sleep French Linen Bedding
Made from fibres of Normandy flax, welcome to a fresh new level of bedtime sleeping. Soak & Sleep’s French Linen Bedding collection comes in a chic neutral and blue range of shades. All items have been pre-washed and pre-shrunk so there should be no surprises when you put them in the wash at home. You can get pillowcases, duvet covers, fitted sheets both standard and deep and flat sheets separately, allowing you to pair them with bed linen you may already have. If you’re new to the bed linen game though, opt for the bundles to save a pretty penny.
Buy now £232.00, Soak & Sleep
Secret Linen Store Spice 100 per cent Linen Duvet Cover
Available in a choice of five sizes for standard UK duvet covers, this rust-coloured design will brighten up any bedroom. Made in Portugal, keeping it spick and span couldn’t be simpler - just sling it in your next wash at 40 degrees.
Buy now £125.00, Secret Linen Store
