The Best Linen Sheets Are Relaxed but Still Luxe

When it comes to the ultimate easygoing, elevated bedding, you’ll want to reach for the best linen sheets. This fabric is an old faithful with great range, seen everywhere from Scandi-style beach houses to cozy, colorful city apartments, owing to their breathability and relaxed look. And while you may think linen is just for summer and waterfront locales—yes, the moisture-wicking fabric works beautifully for body temperature regulation—the cozy, long-lasting material has become increasingly popular year-round for sheets, duvets, and shams for any style or space.

Featured in this article

Best Overall Linen Sheets

Brooklinen Washed Linen Core Sheet Set

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$359 $305 (15% off)

Brooklinen

The Affordable Set

Quince European Linen Sheet Set

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$180

Quince

Softest Sheets

Boll & Branch Linen Sheet Set

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$449 $280 (38% off)

Boll & Branch

As luxury linen has moved into the mainstream to become one of the softest bedding options, a major bonus is that a far more appealing range of price points and color options are now dominating the market. A high-quality linen fabric can easily refine the look of your bedroom, and, as of late, we’re seeing it offered in on-trend color palettes (see Quince’s espresso brown set) and patterns, like cottagecore-inspired gingham from Piglet in Bed. If you’re more inclined to choose a solid color, you can venture away from a plain white sheet set with soothing muted tones or vibrant colors.

From the shockingly well-priced all the way to high-end heirloom-worthy selections (including stonewashed linen sheets) there’s something for every budget—so you won’t have to look too hard for eco-friendly, organic options when you’re shopping for your next set of sheets. Another plus? These sheets get softer from the first wash on (yes, it’s really true). As dedicated editors who put on Sleep Week annually, we’ve rounded up several AD-approved sheets that are guaranteed to help you snooze in style. Ahead, browse our top picks on the best linen sheets that deliver a lived-in luxury look.

Note: Prices reflect queen-size linen sheet sets unless otherwise noted.

Brooklinen’s signature linen formula got a revamp this year, and we can confirm it’s up to par. Our staffers have had the beloved bedding start-up’s original linen sheets for years, with contributor Madeleine Luckel describing them as “versatile and temperature regulating” and breezy enough to make her feel like she was living on a Greek island. While they were never a rough linen set, the new and improved washed European linen set is made to feel even softer than before, and contributor Yelena Moroz Alpert can confirm. “It’s linen, so there is natural texture because of slubs (teeny bumps) in the weave, but I think this adds to the softness,” she notes. “Think of your favorite linen shirt, but in the form of a sheet.”

Alpert says that the bedding has a nice drape to it and a smooth feel. Other perks are that it is Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified—meaning it’s clear of harmful chemicals—and still quite breathable. “I didn’t find it too stuffy, and even my husband, who is a hot sleeper, didn’t complain about it,” she adds. These are a bit pricier—about $50 more than the original set—but for the upgraded quality, we think it’s worth it.

The Affordable Set

Available in a whopping 35 neutral and vibrant shades and prints (including gingham and stripes), Quince’s garment-washed, midweight, 100% European flax sheets are available in options for nearly any bedroom design. They are also one of the more affordable options on our list at $170 for a queen-size set (and who doesn’t sleep better knowing they got a great deal?). Several of our editors have this sheet set, including senior commerce editor Nashia Baker. “While my bedroom style can vary, I’ve been inspired by a Mediterranean-meets-minimalist aesthetic these days—which is exactly why Quince’s linen bedding has been a mainstay on my mattress,” she says. “I love its airy nature along with the gorgeous Bordeaux color on my bed that complements the rest of my decor.”

Softest Sheets

With Oeko-Tex-certified items across its collections, Boll & Branch is our favorite place to buy organic, ultra-soft bedding—including the brand’s linen bed sheets. The brand notes that these 100% European Flax sheets go through a four-step garment wash, and Alpert says they might be the softest she’s ever slept on thanks to the pillowy texture. “When I was testing these, I happened to get night sweats, and was pleasantly surprised that the sheets just sort of absorbed the moisture but didn’t actually feel soggy or wet,” she says, adding that this never happens with her organic cotton sheets. “They also felt extremely breathable and light, kind of like sleeping inside a cloud.”

This set offers subtle details to style a bed, too. “I like that the top stitching on the flat sheet has a wider hem, which makes for better bedscaping,” Alpert adds. “I am also a little obsessed with the hue of the mineral colorway. The website makes it look like it’s a slate gray, but in real life it is this delicious deep blue, almost like a stormy sky, but it is so beautiful.”

For a Structured Look and Feel

“Breezy” is one of the most common ways you’ll see us describe linen in this story, but there are some exceptions to the rule, like this set. “The cotton-linen blend from Lulu and Georgia is certainly more on the crisper side, as opposed to the worn-in texture of bedding that is made of 100% linen,” Alpert says. “It’s sort of like percale-meets-linen.”

This bedding gets its feel from the 60% linen and 40% cotton combo, which still mirrors some of the rustic quality you’ll notice with flax fibers. Alpert shares that the materiality gives her bed a somewhat bohemian vibe. If you want a floral bedspread that’s more fall- or winter-inspired, we think this 3D-like print is a perfect choice. “It’s like the florals stand out and look like they have actually been block printed or that the bedding is made of jacquard fabric, giving it a very much elevated look,” she says. “Since the weight is a bit heavier, the bedding looks more structured and polished when it’s all made up.”

Best Pattern and Color Variety

UK-based Piglet In Bed’s linen sets are a cottagecore match made in heaven. We’re especially lusting over this gingham set for the winter season, but there are dozens of solid colors and patterns to peruse. Like many bedding options these days, you can fully customize your set, from flat sheet options to pillowcase closures, all made of French flax linen. A couple of AD writers are loving these sheets. The price is up there, but contributor Zoë Sessums made the case for considering these sheets like you would an investment piece: “Though this sheet set is a bit steep in price, the quality is unmatched and I predict I’ll use these for as long as they’ll last (seemingly incredibly long!). You really get what you pay for, so I would say these are A+++ sheets.”

Alpert seconds her thoughts, adding that “the elastic band on the fitted sheet fits snugly around the mattress—no movement even after several days.” When it comes to design, Alpert chose the botanical green gingham hue because it goes with everything she tries. “I’ve paired it with a set of desert sand-colored linen sheets to evoke a cottagecore setup, but it will also go beautifully with my gold crinkled velvet duvet cover and shams if I want to veer into a more maximalist look,” she says. “I think it will be a natural fit for when I pull out my chocolate-hued quilt.”

More AD-Approved Linen Sheets

Bed Threads 100% Flax Linen Sheet Set

$360 $288 (20% off)

Bed Threads

With nearly every eccentric color under the sun, these French flax linen sheets from Bed Threads are a great fit for a maximalist bedroom. According to Sessums, these sheets are just as high-quality as they are vibrant to accent your space. “A friend of mine has a range of sunset hues on his bed and frankly, I’m jealous (though it’s hard to go wrong with white linen sheets),” she says. “I found these to be sturdy, beautiful, and perfect for temperature control.”

Frette Divine Sheet Set

$3,950

Frette

Okay, the price point is steep compared to others in this guide, but that’s why we consider this an investment set of linen sheets. This bedding is the antithesis of scratchy, boasting a buttery feel and polished look with minimal wrinkling thanks to the sateen weave. “It has a familiar linen texture that might remind you of your favorite summer button-down—a touch of smoothness that often comes with routine care and wear,” says Baker.

“I’ve slept on these sheets as summer has transitioned to fall in New York City, a time when you can easily break a sweat one day and feel the need to wear a windbreaker the next to fight off the crisp air,” Baker adds. “These sheets have been great for both warm and cool nights. They have a breathable feel that’s nice to pair with a light blanket or a couple of bed covers without overheating.”

Describing them as having a sturdy quality, these are designed for the long haul. She hasn’t noticed any pilling and says the luxurious feel remains after each wash. “As someone who has tested dozens of bedding sets at this point, I’ve had my fair share of experience seeing frayed threads and even tears from thinner materials after only a few uses,” Baker adds. “I haven’t had these sheets for years yet, but I do think that’s how they’ll last. They have an heirloom quality to them that gives me the impression that I can even pass them down in my family.”

Linoto Linen Sheet Set

$655

Linoto

Linoto takes linen very seriously. The company offers items across the decor spectrum, but the sheets are the real stars—they’re handmade in upstate New York with top-notch Italian and Belgian linen. Prewashed with nontoxic detergent, they arrive ready to be loved. Contributor Erika Owen was a fan of how cool they kept her and their good looks. “I also love the lived-in look they constantly have, thanks to the easy wrinkling,” she adds. Need deep pockets or European sizes? They got you covered there. If you’re looking for the best organic linen sheets, Linoto has an option for that too.

Parachute Linen Sheet Set

$359

Parachute

Made in Portugal with Oeko-Tex-backed craftsmanship, Parachute linen sheets are some of our favorites for any bedroom. In terms of the feel, it’s second to none for contributor Sydney Gore. “Parachute’s linen is made out of pure European flax—I couldn’t tell you what that means, but I will say that the texture is as soft as a cloud!” she says. “My bed always feels like a nest when it’s covered in this set and I generally sleep soundly through the night.”

From minimalist to bohemian, the unique muted tones of the bed sheets can curate a space that’s anything but boring. “I’ll admit that I’m a little biased because I’ve been making my bed with Parachute for a long time, but the quality is simply undeniable!” she says of this comfy set, adding that the colors offer “something for everyone’s aesthetic. It’s worth the price.”

What we love about Parachute, aside from the tried-and-true quality, is that you can pick from a full bedding bundle that includes a duvet cover with sheets and pillow shams starting at $660, or just a super luxe fitted sheet for $150 (plus every combo in between). The brand also offers separate items like a comforter or a matching linen duvet cover.

There is one common question we get surrounding testing: Do we actually sleep on all the sheets we feature in our roundups? The answer is a unanimous yes. Instead of lab testing or giving sheets a quick once over in a store, our editors brought these linen sheets in their homes to launder them and sleep on them—just like our readers would—and kept an eye out for qualities like a relaxed look and feel. These real world-tested sets are selected based on a variety of price points and designs to fit any shopper’s needs. Linen fibers, which are derived from the flax plant, are naturally hypoallergenic, absorbent, and antibacterial, so we also looked for sheets without synthetic fibers to suit sleepers with sensitive skin.