Parachute Linen Sheet Set: These sheets were in the middle of the pack of our testers. Rough Linen sells its sheets as single pieces (fitted or flat) or in sets (where you can specify if youd like a combination of fitted and flat sheets or two flat sheets). In our original 2016 linen sheet review, we featured the West Elm set as our main pick, and we still think theyre very good for their relatively low price. Our senior editor for style, Jen Hunter, has been long-term testing the Bella Notte sheets since summer 2018 and says theyre lovelytextured and thick but soft. Her one complaint is that the fitted sheet seems to stretch out while you sleep on it, creating bunched-up fabric, although she suspects this might be because her mattress is a little shorter than most. If youre concerned about if youll actually like the feel of the fabric (and if you want to do your own wash tests) wed recommend ordering swatch samples. Due to the wash process, color will be unique to each piece. Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set, Budget pick: West Elm or Pottery Barn Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Sets, L.L.Bean Sunwashed Linen Sheet Collection, The Company Store Comfort Wash Solid Linen Sheets, Cuddledown Italian Linen Plain-Sewn Sheets, Hawkins New York Stonewashed Linen Bedding, Restoration Hardware Stonewashed Belgian Linen Sheet Set, assistant professor in the Home Products Development at FIT. If you have pets with long nails, you might want to opt for another set. Privacy Policy (Updated January 2022), Need Assistance? The Cultiver top sheet has neat-looking mitered corners and even hems along all sides. Rough Linen has a loyal following, but we have read feedback in several Reddit threads about the sheets developing tears or holes (in one instance it happened after only six months). We prefer the Cultiver sheets for their softness, slightly lower price, and color options, but if you want more texture to your linen we recommend Rough Linen Sheets. Fair Trade Certified and STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX Certified, meaning its tested for 350+ harmful substances. For insider perspective on what makes great linen, we spoke with Hank Patterson, owner of the luxury linen towel company Deck Towel. Cultivers fabric feels crisper than Bella Nottes or Rough Linens (almost as if it were slightly starched), and it wrinkles about as much as most of the other sets we tried. That being said, linen and cotton sheets are both made using the same over-under weave. It didnt feel as soft as or better than the sets we ultimately decided to test. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. There are no stores within If luxe is what youre after, look to another brand like Parachute or Brooklinen. We ordered fabric samples or pillowcases of the 21 sets we were interested in trying. Get daily tips and tricks for making your best home. A Pottery Barn customer service rep told us that the company will take washed sheets back within the 30-day return window. Eileen Fisher Washed-Linen Sheets: We tested a pillowcase from this set, also sold through Garnet Hill, and it felt thin and a little rougher than the plain Garnet Hill Solid Relaxed linen sheets. We cant guarantee that Cultivers sheets will last longer than those from other brands, but the fabric feels thicker and more substantial than the lighter sets from Pottery Barn and West Elm. The West Elm website says these sheets have been pre-washed for a lived-in look, which also helps combat shrinkage. Prices and promotions may vary in stores. Cultivers Linen Sheets feel durable, and we havent seen any owner complaints about the sheets wearing thin prematurelya common occurrence among other brands. Inferior fabric can also be a problem. As a seamstress, she has observed how good and bad linen responds to wear and multiple washes. We didnt think the fabric was as nice as our top picks. A West Elm rep told us that her companys policy is the same, although she said its on a case-by-case basis. After years of researching bedsheetsfrom cotton to flannel and everything in betweenweve found the best sets no matter what your preference. We'll pull it all together for you. We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Linoto 100% Linen Sheet Set: We tested five pillowcases from Linoto in different colors, and every sample felt really different. Several Wirecutter staffers dress their beds this way, because cotton bottom sheets tend to be more durable. Aside from wishing my pillow would stay put for more than a night at a time, I really didnt find myself wishing for anything else with these sheets. The Company Store Comfort Wash Solid Linen Sheets: The pillowcase we tested felt about on a par with the Garnet Hill and L.L.Bean samples, but with slightly nicer detailing on the pillowcases. Like good cotton sheets, linen sheets will soften over many washes (the joke goes that linen sheets are really softafter 10 years of use). After using the set three times, former Wirecutter editor-in-chief Jacqui Cheng found that the bottom sheet tore. (Youll also have to pay a $10 shipping charge.) We focused on sets in the $250 range for our original 2016 review. To the touch, the fabric is cool and only slightly textured, which I appreciated. Its often touted as a great sheeting fabric for summer, because its so breathable. The West Elm Belgian Flax Linen Sheet Set is perfectly acceptabletheyre soft, breathable, and they look really great on your bed. You wont find linen sheets being measured in thread count like you will for cotton sets, and theres a reason for that: the yarns used in linen textiles are thicker and more textured than cotton. (You will be charged a shipping fee.). We recommend that all customers use the most recent version of their browser available. Maybe I turn into an aggressive head-banger while I snooze, but I found myself wishing there was some fun design trick to keep that pillow in place. They cant be directly compared. The other thing is how you wash them, the sort of detergent you use, and the amount of detergent you use. We cover Roses laundering advice in the care and maintenance section. Similar to other brands, Bella Notte does not offer a warranty and will accept returns of only unused, unwashed items within 30 days of receipt. As with many linen sheets, this set may have durability issues. After testing and deciding on our top sets, we learned how they were made and how to care for them by speaking to a representative from each brand: Tricia Rose, owner of Rough Linen; Taylor Batlin, brand director at Bella Notte; and Shannon Bean, a customer service representative at Cultiver. Theres no option to add a duvet cover (youll get only the essentials with this set: a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two pillowcases), which brings the cost down a bit. Historically, the best linen comes from Europe, specifically Belgium, Ireland, France, and Lithuania. Restoration Hardware Stonewashed Belgian Linen Sheet Set: We liked this set when we tested it in 2016, but we were concerned about its durability. If you hate wrinkled bedding, skip linen (unless you have a staff to iron your sheets). She sews many of her own clothes, which has made her obsessive about high-quality fabricswhether in a dress or bedsheets. The fitted sheets are a recent addition to Rough Linens lineup, so we havent tested them yet as of this writing. The hems are clean, but dont expect any special features like button closures or special pillowcase folds as you would get with a set from Parachute. European Flax Linen Linework Quilt & Shams, European Flax Linen Mini Waffle Duvet Cover & Shams, European Flax Linen Tack Stitch Quilt & Shams, European Flax Linen Box Stitch Quilt & Shams, 20% Off Best-Selling-Fabrics Sofas & Sectionals, European Flax Linen Sheet Set & Pillowcases. In preparing this guide we spoke with Shannon Maher, a former product designer for The Company Store and currently an assistant professor in the Home Products Development at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Enjoy free design help, even from the comfort of your couch! If you want bedding that will last forever, check out the Linen Venice Sheet Set from Parachute (upwards of $460 for a full set, including the duvet cover). But at nearly twice the price, wed recommend buying them only if you want (and can afford) supersoft linen. Although you cant order a swatch, you can check these sheets out in person at a local store and they also come with a 30-day return policy. As the name implies, these sheets are made from 100 percent Belgian flax linen. Cultiver also doesnt offer a warranty and its return policy is pretty standard; the company will accept only unused, unwashed, and unmarked sheets within 30 days of you receiving them. If you find wrinkles infuriating, youre going to want to either A) go with another material for your sheets or B) have an iron or steamer on hand. This item is not available for store pickup. For whats considered an affordable option, it doesnt feel like youre cutting back on quality. The company no longer charges a restocking fee, but you may want to order swatches to make sure you like the fabric and color before ordering a set. The resulting sheets are incredibly subtle. Neither rep responded to us, but the sheets feel identical, the fabric-care labels look identical (beyond the company logos), and both sets contain Belgian Flax Linen in their name. We wanted to see if more expensive sheets were more durable. The West Elm packaging is minimal, from the black ribbon down to the care instructions. The texture feels almost buttery compared with that of the Cultiver and Rough Linen sheets, and the fabric wrinkles less and has a springy quality that makes it drape more beautifully across the bed. If your sheets are really wrinkled out of the dryer, Rose recommends dampening them slightly and letting them air dry. The fibers used to make linen come from the stem of the flax plantthe same crop that produces linseed oil (or flaxseed oil, in the case of nutritional supplements). To find the best sets to test, we looked closely at models featured in Architectural Digest and two postsfromApartment Therapy. These are equal to the West Elm set. Durable: We wanted to find sheets that will last for years of regular use. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. We think some people may find these sheets too rough. I have a feeling it might have to do with their weight or the state of their pedicure, she said. Enter your ZIP Code for delivery and availability. Terms and Conditions (Updated April 2020) | Most linen sheets are treated to soften their texture, but fabric finishes will wash away, sometimes leaving the sheets rougher. One of our staffers has owned a set of these, and found the fitted sheet started tearing and developing holes after six months. When my sheet set arrived, I immediately fell into the calming effect linen sheets seem to bring to a room. If you know that you like the feel and old-world European charm of linen, you might like linen sheets. The Cultiver sheets were in the midrange for softness. 10% back in rewards Tricia Rose, owner of Rough Linen, told us that shes not sure why some peoples sheets develop holes and others dont. This item ships via UPS, arriving right at your home on the estimated delivery date. You can return eligible items within 30 days of receiving an order. Garnet Hill Solid Relaxed Linen Bedding: The pillowcase we tested was in the middle range of softness (not all that soft, but not the scratchiest). They do come in some great colors, though. This allows you to easily replace pieces or to slowly build a set, depending on your budget. Rough Linen and Bella Notte also sell by the piece, but Cultivers individual pieces are less expensive. Similar to most luxury goods, theres a point of diminishing returns with the Bella Notte set. We tested fabric samples from a number of sets that retail for a similar priceincluding from Brooklinen, Parachute, L.L.Bean, Garnet Hill, and The Company Storebut we found them either rougher or flimsier than those of the West Elm and Pottery Barn sets. Unlike our other picks, the Pottery Barn and West Elm sheets are sold only by the set. And of the 21 samples we initially tested in 2018including from sets three to four times the pricethe Pottery Barn and West Elm fabrics were among the softest and most pleasant against the skin. One perk you will get with these sheets is custom dyeing; Bella Notte sells a range of bedding made from linen, cotton, and velvet, and you can have whatever you order garment-dyed together. Manufacturers dont advertise linen sheets with a thread count (the number of vertical and horizontal yarns in a square inch of fabric). From organic fibers to low-VOC finishes, we're making it easy to create a healthy home for you & your family. Please enter a valid address or ZIP code. That means more recycled, upcycled & FSC-certifiedand less waste. Enter postal code for a better delivery estimate. Earn Rough Linens sheets are slightly thicker than Cultivers, although a hand will still show through the fabric. by calling 1.888.922.4119. for questions or assistance, call 24 hours a day 1.888.922.4119. Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set: The fabric of this set feels very wispy, with a weave thats noticeably looser than that of many of the sets we tested. Linen woven from European-grown flax, constructed in China. (The swatches costs $5 apiece, but shipping within the US is free.) It would also be great for a guest bedroom or a space that doesnt see constant sleepers, given that they seem a little less durable than other options. As with the best cotton sheets, linen sheets should be comfortable and long-wearing. I tested a full-size set (also available in queen, king, and California king) to judge the quality of the material, texture, and more. The only difference we could see between the sets is that the top sheet from Pottery Barn has an embroidered detail, and that the West Elm sets comes in four colors while the Pottery Barn set comes in six. It wrinkles easily and will never be totally smooth without ironing. They do feel softer or more durable than similarly priced sets we tried. The lower thread count is why linen sheets feel rougher than cotton onesthe yarns are thicker and therefore more pronounced in the fabric, giving it more texture. Linen grain can be quite noticeable, but this set looks more like a smooth cotton sheet from far away. We also think Cultivers sheets feel almost as good as those from Bella Notte, which cost almost twice the price. Lay flat for a casual, relaxed look. She is author of "The Art of Flaneuring: How to Wander with Intention and Discover a Better Life." We recommend getting whichever one you can find on sale, when you can buy a queen set for around $200. At their price of $660 for a queen set at the time of testing, they may seem ridiculously expensive, but they were our testers unanimous favorite. Hank Patterson, owner of linen towel company Deck Towel, told us that linen thread counts generally range between 80 and 120. Hand-washing this sheet set in warm water worked well enough for me, and the linen did dry quicker than a cotton set. please note prices and availability are subject to change at any time. Other brands use serged seams at the corners. Thats why youll often see the term Belgian linen or Belgian flax linen (indicating that the flax was grown, but not necessarily processed into fabric, in Belgium) used to advertise sheet sets from mass-market brands, like West Elm and Pottery barn. The texture grabs onto your body and keeps it in place. And because Rough Linen sheets are sold by the piece, you can slowly build a set, replace pieces, or opt to use a cotton bottom sheet with a linen top sheet and pillowcases. We think Cultiver offers a nicer selection of colors and a softer fabric that most people will prefer, but Rough Linen Sheets may appeal to people who like more texture. Here's how this product makes a difference at home and in the world: Directly benefits the workers who make our products. The colors are really pretty and offer a good balance of light and dark. Her over 10 years of work experience includes Fast Company, GQ, Martha Stewart Living, Travel + Leisure, Bon Apptit, and Epicurious. Cultivers customer service rep told us the company can generally ship the swatches within three business days, although it can take up to three weeks, depending on your location. If youre looking for a less expensive set, we recommend the Belgian Flax Linen Sheets from either West Elm or Pottery Barn.We suspect theyre made from the same fabric. Flax grows best in temperate climates (while cotton thrives in hotter places like Texas, Egypt, and Turkey). This is the perfect beginner set for someone just laying his or her head down in the world of linen bed covers. We considered sets that cost up to $800 for our 2018 update. We like that this setup lets you rotate the bottom and top sheets for more even wear, which might help the sheets longevity. If you want to inspect the fabric before purchasing sheets, order a free sample card. Manufacturers almost universally caution against using bleach, because its harsh and can degrade the fabric. For a crisp, clean look, steam or iron on warm. After reading hundreds of owner reviews of linen sheets, testing samples from 21 highly regarded sets, and sleeping in seven sets on our own beds, were confident that Cultiver Linen Sheets offer the best combination of softness, great colors and prints, and the option to buy individual pieces. This is one of the softest sets we tried, its sold by the piece, and comes in a wider range of colors and prints. Its frustrating to fall in love with a soft sheet in the store only to have it turn uncomfortably rough after a wash or two. A good middle-ground purchase is the Linoto 100% Linen Sheets, which feature more texture and run a bit cheaper than the Parachute set at $378. The location you specified seems to be incorrect. Before becoming deputy editor, Christine Cyr Clisset oversaw Wirecutters bedding coverage, and she has long-term tested our sheet picks since 2015. You can also mix and match your sheets, as several Wirecutter staffers do, using a linen top sheet and pillowcases paired with a more durable, less expensive percale bottom sheet (such as our favorite from L.L.Bean). The flat sheets we tested have lovely seams and a particularly nice and thick top hem, which gives them an elegant finish. We think the texture of these sheets will be too rough for many people, but we do think the fabric feels sturdy and may wear well over time. Our main critique for these sets is that you cant purchase individual pieces, and we have seen complaints about the West Elm set wearing thin.