My first Airbnb experience introduced me to the utter luxury of linen bedding. I’d simply never realised that bedding could be so comfy! We were staying in a restored Newari house in Patan, near Kathmandu in Nepal, en route to Tibet. The house was owned by a French/Nepali couple and combined traditional Newari architecture with understated French chic…

This was the first time we’d slept with linen bedding and now I understand why we use the term bed linen – it simply sets the standard.

What is it about linen?

What I find difficult is how to describe it, why does it feel so amazingly good? It isn’t smooth like 1000 thread count cotton, it has a fairly open weave, not coarse but certainly not fine. What it has is a weight and texture that is incredibly comforting, very gentle and reassuring. Sounds stupid? I can understand that response but unless you’ve tried it, it’s hard to imagine. If you have tried it and have better words to describe it, please let me know!

linen bedding
Dove grey linen bedding on Ki bed
charcoal linen duvet cover
grey linen bedding on black painted oak shetland wooden bed
Dove grey linen bedding on our hand made low wooden Sahara bed
Charcoal linen bedding and cosy blanket on black oak Shetland bed
linen bedding stack
Lisbon linen bedding with broste quilt and bronte throw

Here’s a few facts about linen:

  • It’s the fibre of the flax plant and has been used for thousands of years
  • Egyptian mummies were wrapped in linen – it lasts ‘forever’
  • The fibres get softer and stronger over time
  • Linen fibres are hollow and linen bedding keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter
  • Being hollow, compared to cotton, the fibres absorb more moisture without feeling damp
  • Linen is naturally hypoallergenic and anti bacterial, the best choice if you have an allergy
  • It’s also got excellent eco credentials: it only requires rain water and needs less fertiliser and pesticides compared to cotton
  • Linen bedding will last longer than cotton and is a great investment
  • And for those of us who don’t care to iron our linen sheets, it has a natural crinkled look. No need to iron!
linen pink robe and dove pjs
linen charcoal pyjamas
grey linen robe
linen robes - dove grey
linen slippers - lavender
linen pink robe and dove pjs
linen slippers - beige
linen charcoal pyjamas
Linen loungewear
Linen kimono robe - black
grey-linen-bedding

Natural Bed Company stocks linen bedding – pillow cases, linen sheets and duvet covers – as well as linen pyjamas, slippers and robes. And they feel wonderful! They’re pre-washed so they’re already soft and strong and they’ll simply get better with age. The colours are delightful: white, pale grey, dark grey and, a new colour, duck egg blue. And I forgot, a beautiful faded rose pink.

I’ve just been down in the showroom where a couple were looking at the linen bedding. I shared my enthusiasm about my new discovery but, yes, they already knew, they’ve been using it for years! Once you’ve had linen, nothing else compares.

By Peter Bennion – Natural Bed Company Director

You can also find more bedding and interior styling ideas over on our Pinterest page.

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