If you are looking for an affordable way to transform the look of your bedroom, a simple change of sheets can make all the difference. Switching your bed linen for a statement bed linen set is an instant way to re-energise your bedroom, without having to spend a fortune or spend hours painting or wallpapering. Luxurious linens not only improve the look of a room, they’re also a brilliant way to pamper yourself – nothing beats the feeling of snuggling down into crisp, fresh Egyptian cotton sheets. If you are looking for some bedroom style inspiration, have a browse through the latest luxury bedding from House of Fraser for some fresh ideas.
Shopping for luxury linens can be a little overwhelming at first. Thread counts, thread length, types of cotton, types of finish – it’s a lot to consider. But once you’ve figured out the basics it’s easy to sort the truly high quality linens from the rest.
The secret lies in the thread count. The thread count is the number of threads woven into the fabric per square inch. The higher the thread count, the stronger and finer the cotton fibres are and the softer and more durable the fabric. High quality sheets start at around 200 thread count, so if you’re looking to recreate that five star hotel feel then stick to this as a minimum.
A quick test that you can use to check the true quality of bed sheets is to hold them up against the light. With good quality, high thread count sheets, the light should be barely perceptible and you shouldn’t be able to make out the individual threads.
The fabric you want is up to you, but for linens that will keep you warm in the winter but fresh and cool in the summer, it has to be cotton. Two of the most renowned cottons are Egyptian and Pima. Both are preferred due to their extra long fine fibres, which make for ultra soft, smooth and durable sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers. Pima is slightly shorter than Egyptian cotton, but still makes for a luxuriously dense and soft fabric.
The final thing to consider is the type of weave that you want. Two of the most common weaves when it comes to luxury bedding are percale and sateen. Sateen weave adds lustre, weight and drape for a soft silky hand and luxurious sheen. Percale on the other hand is a plain weave with a completely matte finish, which is what gives you that crisp, fresh cotton sheet feel. Percale weave also results in a lighter fabric, making this weave ideal for the warmer summer months.
