Here's Why Everyone on the Planet Needs Linen Sheets

There is something so alluring about linen bedding. Think of all those gorgeously rumpled beds on Pinterest and Instagram, and you get the picture. But linen is not just a pretty face. In fact, it just may be the ultimate bedding fabric and could even help you get a better night’s sleep. 

Since linen has natural temperature-regulating properties, it is ideal for helping to modulate body heat overnight. In the summer, it works to keep you cool by allowing more airflow than standard bed sheets. In the winter, linen sheets won’t retain moisture the way cotton does and will actually keep your warmer while not trapping air. Linen can actually absorb up to 20 percent of its weight before it starts to feel damp. 

Sounds good, right? But wait, there’s more! Linen is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, bacteria, and fungus. It also improves with washing, getting softer and more supple with age. Additionally, it's an environmentally friendly choice as it’s made from flax, a renewable resource that requires little processing and is 100 percent biodegradable. 

Lastly, though the cost of linen bedding can far outpace standard fare, it is twice as durable as cotton, meaning this is one investment that can literally last decades. 

We’ve rounded up a selection of some of the best linen sheet sets on the market in an array of price points and hues that are bound to lead to a softer, sweeter night’s sleep.

Created from Belgian and French flax and constructed in Portugal, Brooklinen’s Line Core Sheet Set is the perfect start for a bedding overhaul. Stonewashed for softness and garment-dyed, this set is Oeko-Tex certified and chemical-free. It is also available in an array of colors.  

Parachute is known for its stellar bedding products, and its linen sheet set is no different. Made of the finest European linen in a family-owned mill in Portugal, it is crafted to last a lifetime. Parachute’s linen bedding is Oeko-Tex certified and free of chemicals, and comes in a range of colors.  

Garnet Hill’s Relaxed Linen Bedding is soft right out of the package. Garment-washed for nuanced color and drape, this set will get better with age. This line is Oeko-Tex certified, and pieces are sold individually.  

Eileen Fisher is a genius when it comes to working with linen, and the brand's bedding is no exception. These washed linen sheet sets have beautiful detailing including raw edging and picot trim on the flat sheet and pillowcases. The array of hues they come in are gorgeous as well. Oeko-Tex certified.  

Macy’s carries a line of linen bedding from Brooklyn Loom, and if you are lucky you can cash in on one of the retailer’s deep discounts. This lovely set comes in colors ranging from natural to dusty rose to olive green.

Linoto’s linen bedding set is made in New York from custom-milled, long-staple pure flax linen from Italy, Belgium, and Ireland. The set is available in colors you don’t normally see such as lavender and terra cotta. 

Woven from premium French linen, this set from Merryfeel has the look of a much more expensive brand. A sumptuous set for a reasonable price.  

Coyuchi is the gold standard when it comes to linen bedding, and though its products are pricier than other brands, you can bank on quality. Coyuchi linen bedding is woven from French flax and is ethically and organically manufactured.  

Los Angeles bedding and apparel manufacturer Matteo has a great reputation for quality. It's partnered with One Kings Lane to create this relaxed and ultrasoft linen bedding set in a friendly price point.  

Target’s linen-cotton blend sheet set may not provide the full benefits of linen, but it will give you the look. Pre-washed for softness and Oeko-Tex certified, this set is a bargain.