Choosing the best bedding for you

In this guide we'll take you through fabrics, thread counts and finishes to help you choose your perfect bedding
Cream striped duvet cover and pillowcases on bed, modern bedroom bedding set with navy headboard and cushions
Crisp white cotton bedding set with duvet cover and pillows on upholstered bed, styled with vase and throw.
Buying guides

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.

Things to consider

Close-up of soft blush pink cotton bedding with pillowcase seam detail, smooth sheets and cosy texture

Fabric

The fabric will shape how the bed linen reacts and feels to you – for everything from sheets in soft Egyptian cotton to natural linen duvet covers.

Close-up of white cotton pillowcase and bed sheet with stitched hem, soft hotel-style bedding texture

Thread count

This is the density of threads per square inch: generally, higher thread counts mean a softer and smoother feel. Our bed linen ranges go from 200 to 1200 thread count.

Close-up of sage green pillowcase and bed sheet set with smooth cotton fabric and crisp stitched seams

Finish

This important step determines the final texture, colour and softness of the sheet, percale and sateen are the two main finishes on John Lewis bed linen.

Fabric

Checking what it's made from...

White cotton bedding set on a rattan headboard bed, styled bedroom with bedside lamp and glass of water

Cotton

Best for... versatility and soft comfort

  • The world’s most widely used natural fibre

  • Versatile

  • Soft and comfortable

  • Lightweight and breathable

  • Also consider an organic cotton

Minimalist bedroom with crisp white duvet cover and pillows on upholstered bed, vase of dried grasses in sunlight

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 Egyptian cotton ranges from 200 thread count to 1600

  • Requires minimal ironing

Neutral bedroom with beige upholstered bed and crisp white linen bedding, bedside table and lamp in sunlight

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

Luxury upholstered bed with curved headboard, crisp white bedding and grey throw in elegant bedroom by window

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

Thread count

Sage green duvet cover set with matching pillowcases and a blue accent pillow on a neatly made bed

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 1200 thread count.

Fabric feel

This important step determines the final texture, appearance and handle of the bed linen.

Minimalist bedroom with crisp white bedding on a wooden cane headboard bed, beside a bedside lamp and table

Percale

A matt finish with exquisite crispness for a fresh and cool feel against your skin.

Light grey bedding set with duvet cover, pillowcases and fitted sheet on upholstered bed in bright bedroom

Sateen

Soft with a subtle sheen and smooth touch: perfect if you love the feel of silky bed linen.

Terracotta linen duvet cover and pillowcases on wooden bed, with bedside lamp and marble table in bright bedroom

Washed

A lived-in relaxed look and super soft feel from the first use that requires no ironing.

Grey and white striped duvet cover set on wooden bed with matching pillows, bedside table and lamp in bedroom

Brushed

Woven from 100% cotton, delicately brushed to achieve a super soft and cosy feel.

Minimalist bedroom with white textured duvet cover and pillows, beside wooden bedside table and vase

Seersucker

Seersucker is made by weaving the yarns at different tensions, which creates the signature crimped texture and light, cool feel.

Sage green ruffled duvet cover set on bed, minimalist bedroom decor with wooden bedside table and lamp

Other weaves

We offer other weaves such as muslin, poplin, jacquard.

Bed sheets explained

Close-up of sage green fitted bed sheet with elasticated corners, soft cotton bedding fabric detail.

Fitted sheets

A bed sheet with elasticated corners that wraps tightly around the corners of a mattress.

Close-up of grey upholstered cushion corner with stitched seam detail, showing durable fabric texture for home décor.

Deep fitted sheets

Made to accommodate deeper mattresses or the depth of a standard sized mattress that's being used with a mattress topper. Deep fitted sheets will fit mattresses up to 36cm deep.

Close-up of soft cream linen duvet cover with stitched seam, showcasing breathable natural bedding texture

Flat sheets

Layer under your duvet in the colder months for extra warmth, or use alone as a lightweight cover on warmer summer nights. Flat bed sheets can also be used directly on the mattress instead of a fitted sheet.

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.

Measurements for sheets

Size of bed linenFlat & fitted sheets to fit mattress

Small Single

75 x 190cm

Single

90 x 190cm

Small Double

120 x 190cm

Double

135 x 190cm

King

150 x 190cm

Super King

180 x 200cm

Emperor

200 x 200cm

Standard Fitted

Up to a depth of 30cm

Deep Fitted

Up to a depth of 36cm

Measurements for duvet covers

Size of bed linenDuvet covers to fit duvet size

Single

135 x 200cm

Small Double

200 x 200cm

Double

200 x 200cm

King

230 x 220cm

Super king

260 x 220cm

Emperor

290 x 235cm

Measurements for pillowcases

Size of pillowcasePillowcases 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

UK sizeInternational size

Single

Twin

Double

Full

Kingsize

Queen

Super Kingsize

King

Finishing touches

Modern bedroom with upholstered bed, blue duvet, patchwork quilt, wicker pendant lights and wooden bedside table

Quilts and bedspreads

Use quilts to layer up on warmth and comfort, or to add the finishing touch to your carefully made bed.

Stack of folded wool blankets and throws in neutral colours on a bed, cosy home bedroom interior decor

Throws

Layer up and use to keep cosy on colder nights.

Stylish bedroom bedding with blue headboard, neutral duvet and patterned cushions with a quilted throw blanket.

Cushions

Throw on a cushion to add a decorative touch to your bed, and also can be a good back support for sitting in bed.