'Cotton percale is great for sleepers who prefer a cooler and crisper feel. It is effortlessly smooth in both look and feel and is a great option for those with warmer body temperatures.

Bed sheet types – which materials suit you, your budget, and the weather

Cons: However, with higher production costs, linen bed sheets are naturally more expensive than cotton. And while linen fabrics get softer with every wash, the roughness of flax fibers will never achieve the silky smoothness of cotton. It is also prone to more shrinkage in the first few washes, but only by a small margin - while cotton shrinks on an average of 1-3%, linen shrinks around 3-5%. This can be avoided by separating linen sheets from the rest of the items in the first few washes, washing on a cool cycle, and avoiding harsh detergents and bleaches.




'Linen is exceptionally breathable and is a go-to for the summer months,' says Aja Tilghman, of Lulu & Georgia. 'It has an airy, breezy quality that will keep you cool and its natural fibers provide an effortlessly elegant look. Cotton percale is also a good option for hot weather as it is inherently cooler in nature and provides a lighter, crispier feel.'




We've got a detailed purchase guide that can help you further.
Most commonly called a bed skirt or bed ruffle, this is a decorative piece of fabric placed between the mattress and box springs. It extends to the floor at the mattress's sides and bottom. Its main function is to hide the box spring, but bed skirts also add a touch of softness, color, and decor to the room.