Selecting a Fabric For the Bed Linen
Wait! This can be a decision about probably the most important parts of your living space. It isn't just color you need to think about - what kind of fabric are you choosing for your bed linen? Different fabrics are created completely differently, some irritate sensitive skin, yet others breathe better on hot nights. Choosing the right bed linens is really as important for feel because it is for color. Choose what's right for you by comparing a few of the different qualities in available bed linen fabrics.
Sateen sheets are weaved to have more yarn exposed, giving them a soft feel. Like your standard sheet produced from cotton, they are more gentle (feeling a lot more like satin sheets) because of the way they're made. With an identical feel, they're more durable than satin although some people discover the fabric irritating onto the skin. Unlike satin, sateen does not breathe and can make you hot and sweaty, which makes it a poor choice in linen for warmer months or climates.
Cotton may be the standard choice that individuals buy. Some don't realise, but cotton sheets are graded by thread count. Cotton is easily the most durable and versatile fabric, two of the reasons it is so popular. Cheap cotton sheets (sets bought around the $30 mark) usually have a low thread count between 140 - 180, but Egyptian cotton sheets (which could cost up to $500 in some instances!) have a thread count of 400 and above. These high quality sheets feel great onto the skin and still make use of the standard weave to retain durability.
Silk sheets are thought by some to become the most beneficial bed linens fabric due to the silk's hypoallergenic qualities, especially when they're 100% Mulberry silk. Silk conforms towards the body, making it nice and cozy for winter, and the fabric is breathable to help keep you cool over summer. You definitely will not be picking up 100% Mulberry silk sheets for the same price as a cheap cotton linen set, but at around the $500 mark you aren't paying more than what you will for a nice set of Egyptian cotton sheets.
There isn't any 'best linen type' that you should look for; bed linen option is based entirely on personal preference. Learn what feels best to you, but make sure you purchase some quality linen. The main difference for your time spent in bed will be dramatic and well worth the cost.