To complete the look, consider adding a bedskirt to hide the space under your bed for a clean, uncluttered look.  This accessory can also add a decorative touch, especially if it has frills or ruffles.

Polycotton sheets or 'easy care' sheets are made with a blend of man-made polyester (a type of plastic) and cotton. Polycotton bed linen is generally cheap to buy and easy to care for. It dries quickly and doesn't require much ironing.

Weave affects the way a sheet looks, feels and its overall durability. Plain weaves, such as Percale sheets, have an equal number of vertical and horizontal yarns woven together. Plain weave sheets are known for their longevity and crisp feel. Sateen sheet weaves are woven with more vertical than horizontal yarns. The higher number of vertical threads gives the sheet ultra softness. Twill weaves are yarns that are woven two over and one under to create a diagonal line on one side of the fabric. These linens tend to be soft and tend to hold their shape well. Jacquard and damask are weaves that have intricate patterns.

Answering this question all boils down to personal preference. Before purchasing the perfect bed sheets for you, it’s important to establish your priorities for a good night’s rest, as well as your intended budget. 

The 19^th century saw the invention of the cotton gin. This machine quickly and easily separates cotton fibres from their seeds which revolutionised cotton production. Thus, the cotton sheet was born. This was the start of a new industry. It became much easier to produce cotton than flax and that in turn made it a cheaper product. Ultimately cotton became the popular choice for bedding, though the name bed linen stuck.

This is the piece of fabric that creates a sheath or barrier between you and your pillow. Typically, a pillowcase has one opening on the short side of the fabric and extra fabric that will drape over a few inches, when placed over the pillow insert. The drape is sometimes generous and provides a decorative element to what is otherwise a largely functional piece.

For more details on this ultra-cozy fabric, explore our guides:

Hospital Bedding Suppliers

'The most comfortable fabric for bed sheets is a personal choice, but linen or cotton are great options if you like a cool, breathable finish,' says Nadia. 'Luxury lovers may however favor silk sheets for that touch of romantic opulence.'

Conclusion

Color and Pattern

Choose 200 thread count and above - anything less will wear badly, rip and develop holes! Be wary of really high thread counts over 800 which can produce very stiff sheets and duvet covers that are not very comfortable to sleep on and are really hard to iron! We picked 600 thread count for our Egyptian cotton bed linen.