Buying Guides
Buying the best bedding
Give your bedroom the finishing touch with bedding that suits your sleep as well as your style.
We put a lot of time and care into our bedding; for over a century we've explored the world to source new cottons and discover innovative weaving methods. We're passionate about bringing you the finest quality bed linen, because a good night's sleep is one of life's essentials.
In this guide we'll take you through types of fabric, weaves and finishes to help you choose your perfect bedding
Fibre
The finer the fibre, the softer the feel – for everything from sheets in soft Egyptian cotton to natural linen duvet covers
Weight
Weight can significantly affect how your sheets feel: we cater from super lightweight through to the ultimate in cosy comfort
Thread count
This is the density of threads per square inch: generally, higher thread counts mean a softer and smoother feel. Our bed linen range goes from 200 to 1600 thread count
Finish
This important step determines the final texture, colour and softness of the sheet, resulting in a unique handle
Tip
Washing bed linen before use is a personal choice. We recommend that you do: it refreshes your linens after manufacture and enhances the feel of the cloth
Measuring up
Our measurements are for UK bed sizes – non-UK mattress sizes may vary slightly from their UK equivalents. Our fitted sheets and valances are unlikely to be suitable for mattresses that vary greatly from these measurements, though our flat sheets are generously sized so may offer a useful alternative
| Size of bed linen | Flat & fitted sheets to fit mattress |
| Small Single | 75 x 190cm |
| Single | 90 x 190cm |
| Small Double | 120 x 190cm |
| Double | 135 x 190cm |
| Kingsize | 150 x 200cm |
| Super Kingsize | 180 x 200cm |
| Emperor | 200 x 200cm |
| Standard Fitted | Up to a depth of 30cm |
| Deep Fitted | Up to a depth of 36cm |
Pillowcases to fit pillow size |
Standard: 50 x 75cm |
Oxford: 50 x 75cm (excluding border) |
Square Oxford: 65 x 65cm (excluding border) |
Kingsize: 50 x 90cm |
International sizes Approximate equivalent sizing for non-UK mattresses |
Our Single = Twin |
Our Double = Full |
Our Kingsize = Queen |
Our Super Kingsize = King |
Fabric types
Polycotton
Best for... efficiency and easy care
- Made from a blend of durable polyester and soft cotton
- Comfortable and dries quickly with minimal ironing
Egyptian cotton
Best for... softness and a huge choice of colours
- Renowned as one of the finest cottons in the world
- Soft, strong, lightweight, longer lasting
- Cool in the summer and warm in the winter
- Our main range Egyptian cotton is grown on the rich land of the Nile delta, woven in plain percale weave with a 200 thread count.
- We also stock Egyptian cotton bed linen with various thread counts up to 1600
- Requires minimal ironing
Cotton & brushed cotton
Best for... versatility and soft comfort
- The world’s most widely used natural fibre
- Versatile
- Soft and comfortable
- Lightweight and breathable
- Brushed cotton is woven from 100% cotton, delicately brushed to achieve a soft and cosy feel
GOTS (organic) cotton
GOTS (the Global Organic Textile Standard) is recognised as the world's highest processing standard for textiles made from certified, organically-produced raw materials.
- GOTS assures that throughout the entire supply chain, from organic farm to product packaging, environmentally and socially responsible manufacturing processes and raw materials are used
- GOTS also ensures that the supply chain reduces waste, energy and water use
- Currently you can buy GOTS cotton from us in this John Lewis & Partners range
Linen
Best for... anti-allergenic natural luxury
- Enhanced breathability – cool in summer and warm in winter
- Pleasant, fresh and cool feeling
- Natural pH balance and anti-static
- Regulates your temperature as you sleep
- Pure linen is bacteria resistant for anti-allergenic properties
- Twice as durable as cotton
Genuisa
Best for... the feel of silk with the ease of cotton
- A fine, silky smooth finish, thanks to 1000 fine yarns in every square inch
- Machine washable for ease and suitable for tumble drying
- Exceptional strength and quality
- Luxurious feel with coolness to the fabric
Mulberry Silk
Blissfully smooth and naturally breathable, Mulberry Silk bed linen is renowned for its skin and hair benefits, feeling luxurious and soothing to the touch
- This 19 momme natural bed linen is hypoallergenic and breathable, made from the highest quality Mulberry silk to a beautifully smooth feel
- Non-absorbent, silk actively maintains skin and hair moisture levels overnight, to help minimise wrinkles and hair static
“Momme” refers to the weight in lbs of a piece of silk 45 inches x 100 yards in size
Weave & Decoration
Thread count refers to the number of threads in one square inch of fabric. It applies to threads woven vertically – known as the 'warp’ – and threads woven horizontally – known as the ‘weft’.
The feel and quality of bed linen is based on more than thread count: fine, high-quality thread and different weave types create duvet covers, pillowcases and bed sheets that feel softer against the skin. Our bed linen ranges go from 180 to 1600 thread count
Percale weave
A matt finish with exquisite crispness for a fresh and cool feel against your skin
Satin weave
Soft with a subtle sheen and smooth touch: perfect if you love the feel of silky bed linen
Chambray
Specially woven with two colour threads to create the distinctive chambray look
Brushed cotton
Woven from 100% cotton, delicately brushed to achieve a super soft and cosy feel
Jacquard weave
Created on a jacquard loom, producing a pattern or image through the weave construction itself
Textured weave
A dobby loom can produce decorative patterned weaves, for a touch of textured luxury
Rotary print
Print technology offers vibrant colours and patterns, ensuring that colours last longer
Seersucker
This seersucker bed linen is made by weaving the yarns at different tensions, which creates the signature crimped texture and light, cool feel
Digital print
A specialist technique for photographic images, achieving optimal colour and detail
Finishing touches
Bedspreads, throws and cushions add decorative character to your bed: use them to layer up on warmth and comfort, or to add the finishing touch to your carefully made bed
Lambswool
Great for warmth, it can be fine and lightweight or chunky with a heavier weight. Dry clean to avoid shrinkage
Cashmere
Cashmere is a soft, warm and luxurious natural fibre combed from the underbelly of the cashmere goat
Acrylic
Easy care and often machine washable, acrylic is available in a wide variety of finishes – from fine to chunky
Cotton
Cotton is cool and lightweight, with natural fibres making it breathable. It's also machine washable
Polyester
The ‘easy care’ choice for bed linen: polyester dries quickly and keeps its colour and size through washes
BEDDING EXPLAINED
Plain bag / standard duvet cover
A plain bag or standard duvet cover encases your duvet, with the seams tucked away
Standard pillowcase
A standard 50x75cm size pillow, also referred to as a housewife pillowcase
Square pillowcase
Also known as 'shams', these large pillows offer support and decoration
Oxford border
A decorative border of fabric at the edge of the standard size seamed pillowcase or duvet cover