The 6 Most Common Types of Luxury Bed and Bath Linen Fabrics
If you have stayed in a hotel recently, you must have noticed how soft and comfortable its bed and bath linens were. Most hotels want their guests to have a great experience during their stay. Offering luxury bed and bath linens is one of the many ways to ensure it. If you want the same luxury and comfort at home, you, too, can invest in luxury bed and bath linens for your home.
Buying luxury bed and bath linens can help you transform your home into a haven of comfort and style. You can check out the Anne de Solene luxury bed and bath linen collection, which has numerous options. However, if you do not have much idea about luxury linens for bed and bath, here are some details about the most common luxury linen fabrics available in the market.
1. Cotton
Bed linens made from cotton are often considered one of the most superior quality linens due to their softness, comfort, and durability. While good quality cotton linen may offer the softness and comfort you are promised, you don’t always get superior quality cotton in every place. Some brands may mislabel lower-quality cotton blends as “100% Cotton” or “100% long-staple cotton bed linen.”
It is important to understand that high-quality long-staple yarns can be grown almost anywhere in the world. You need to check the quality yourself to understand whether you are getting the good stuff or not. It is better to buy it from a reputed store that cares about the quality of their product and helps the customers find quality lines for their bed and bath.
2. Percale Cotton
Most high-end hotels these days use bed linens made of percale cotton. In fact, you may have also slept on percale as a child. This material is lightweight, and its strong weave makes for breathable, cool, and crisp sheets. These linens made from percale are perfect for warmer weather and hot sleepers. These are also extremely durable and can last longer.
Percale fabric is generally made with a plain or basket weave that has been used for hundreds of years. The weave goes one thread over, one thread under. In order to call a fabric percale, the fabric needs to have a thread count of 180 per square inch or higher. These bed linens often remind people of their childhood, which is one of the major reasons for their popularity.
The thicker, crispier, and sturdier fabric gets better with use. Moreover, it easily wrinkles in the beginning. However, as the fiber softens with use, the wrinkling reduces. Known for their airy and lightweight nature, cotton percale sheets are one of the most commonly used linens for bedrooms.
3. Sateen
Sateen sheets have a massive popularity among users for their smooth feel and slight sheen. If you love softness over crispness, sateen is the ideal choice for you. It is also more wrinkle-resistant compared to percale. Some sateen sheets are often treated with a wrinkle-resistant finish for a no-iron, picture-perfect appearance.
It is important to note that sateen sheets generally feel heavier or thicker than percale sheets. Also, they do not provide the same breathability as percale fabric. However, if you are looking for something cozy or soft, this is a great option to consider.
Sateen sheets are generally made with 100% cotton fiber and have a high thread count. The heavier finish and the luxurious feel give this linen a massive advantage over other types of lines used for beds and baths. Sateen sheets are also ideal for people with sensitive skin while being safe for machine washing.
4. Organic Cotton
If you are looking for bed or bath linens made of organic cotton, you need to look for independent certification on those products from entities such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Such entities verify whether the cotton was grown and processed correctly per the specific social and ecological standards. While choosing luxury bath towels, look for such certification on the products if they claim to be made of organic cotton.
Organic cotton refers to cotton that is grown without the use of any genetically modified organisms (GMOs), synthetic pesticides, or fertilizers. Organic cotton cultivation focuses on sustainable practices. Since there are no traces of harsh chemicals, bath linens made from organic cotton are usually hypoallergenic and gentle on the skin.
Also, if you believe in sustainability, this is an ideal choice for you. Organic cotton is biodegradable. In simpler terms, it can naturally decompose without causing harm to the environment once its life cycle ends. Also, organic cotton cultivation involves ethical considerations and fair labor practices. Moreover, you get a soft and luxurious feel.
5. Jacquard Fabric
The term jacquard refers to a weave that dates back to the Middle Ages. This weave is all about depth, pattern, and luxury. Its layered, textured design makes it a timeless classic. Jacquard fabric is used as bath linens, draperies, table linen, and bedding. Adding them to your bedroom or bathroom can boost the elegance and luxury feel of the space.
Instead of using printed patterns, Jacquard fabrics have intricate designs that are woven with the threads of the fabric using a jacquard loom. It is a mechanical loom that streamlines the process of manufacturing textiles with complex patterns such as damask, brocade, and matelasse.
You can easily distinguish between a Jacquard fabric and a printed fabric by the subtle relief of the fabric. You can also find Jacquards that are created using pre-dyed threads to create a multi-colored pattern. Due to the complexity of the manufacturing process, Jacquard woven linens are available at a higher price than printed fabrics. You can choose the material for your bath linens as well as bedroom linens.
6. Pima Cotton
Pima is another superior type of cotton that is commonly used in luxury bed linens and bath towels. Grown in the west and southwest of America, Pima cotton is sold under the brand name Supima®. Pima is a generic term for extra-long staple, durable cotton, and the trademark stands for superior Pima.
Pima cotton represents less than 1% of all cotton produced worldwide. Similar to Egyptian cotton, Pima cotton bed linen fabrics are sought after for their quality and the ability to resist pilling. The extra-long staple fiber of Pima cotton offers strength, softness, and great color retention. The fabric also grows softer over time.
The long fibers from the Pima cotton can be spun into finer threads, which allow for a higher thread count in textiles. While the fabric made from cotton may not be incredibly soft to the touch, the bed linens and bath towels made from it retain the luxurious feel and appearance over time. This factor makes Pima cotton luxury bed and bath linens a perfect choice for those seeking durability and comfort.
What Makes Bed and Bath Linens Luxurious?
While all the aforementioned materials can add a touch of luxury to your bedroom or bathroom, it is important to understand what makes these linens luxurious. While shopping for bed or bath linens, you need to pay attention to the following factors that make all the difference.
High Thread Count
As mentioned before, the thread count is the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. While looking for bed linens, people usually look for a high thread count. It is around 300-600 for cotton, while the optimal range varies depending on the fiber type.
Weave Patterns
The vertical and horizontal arrangement of threads significantly affects the feel, finish, and breathability of the material. Most hotels use Sateen or Percale weave for their bed linen fabrics. Sateen boasts a silky smooth texture and wrinkle-resistant properties, while Percale is known for its matte finish and breathable weave.
Long Staple to Extra Long Staple Fibers
Short-staple cotton is prone to bobbling, while longer-staple fibers such as Pima cotton and Egyptian cotton have stronger and softer threads. So, while buying luxury linens for the bed or bath, choose something with a long staple or extra-long staple length.
Design
When it comes to luxury linens, most brands choose to display a minimalist aesthetic appeal with neutral tones that can make any interior look more sophisticated. However, some brands prefer showcasing stripes, embroidery, polka dots, and more. While they all can be elegant, it is a matter of personal choice.
Durability
Authentic luxury linens are known for their longer lifespans. While their upfront costs can be relatively higher, you can enjoy them for several years as long as you take good care of them. Moreover, the bed linen fabrics should be cool and comfortable no matter the weather.
Get the Comfort and Luxury of Hotels at Home
Buying hotel-like luxury linens for home can help you improve your quality of sleep and bathing experience. At the same time, they can add a more luxurious feel to your bedroom and bathroom. As long as you invest in the right fabrics for bed and bath linens and maintain them correctly, you can enjoy the luxuries of premium hotels right at your home.