Linen vs Cotton Sheets: Which Is Better for Year Round Comfort?

At Laud Sleep, we talk a lot about how the right bedding can quietly transform the way you sleep. If you care about comfort, temperature and a calm bedroom, the fabric you sleep on matters just as much as the duvet you choose. Two of the most loved natural options are linen and cotton, and both have loyal fans who will swear they are the answer to better sleep.

The truth is, they each shine in slightly different ways. This guide walks through how linen and cotton compare for feel, breathability, temperature regulation and long term comfort, so you can choose the best option for your bed, and the way you sleep.

A quick overview: how are linen and cotton different?

Cotton

• Made from the soft fibres of the cotton plant

• Naturally smooth and gentle against the skin

• Easy to weave into everything from crisp, hotel style sheets to relaxed, lived in sets

• Generally more affordable than linen

• Easy to care for, familiar and widely available

If you like the idea of soft, easy everyday sheets, our cotton bedding and sheet sets are a good place to start.

Linen

• Made from the fibres of the flax plant

• Strong, slightly textured and beautifully breathable

• Develops a softer, almost silky feel over time as the fibres relax

• Naturally rumpled, with a relaxed, effortless look on the bed

• Typically more expensive, but known for lasting many years

If you prefer a laid back, tactile feel, our linen duvet covers and linen bedding are designed for that relaxed, lived in look.

Both are natural, breathable and far more comfortable in real life than synthetic fabrics that can trap heat and moisture.

Breathability and temperature regulation

If you often wake up hot, clammy or throwing the duvet off in the night, this section matters most.

Cotton for balanced comfort

Good quality cotton sheets are naturally breathable, allow air to circulate and help wick moisture away from your skin. You are unlikely to feel stuck to the fabric, and for many people cotton is the easiest way to keep an even, comfortable temperature through the night.

Cotton is especially good if:

• You share a bed with someone who sleeps cooler than you

• You live in a climate with mild seasons

• You want bedding that works with different duvet togs through the year

Linen for heat management

Linen is famous for being one of the most breathable fabrics you can sleep in. The flax fibres are slightly thicker and more irregular, which creates tiny air pockets. These allow heat and moisture to escape more easily, which is why people often describe linen as cool, dry and fresh, even on warm nights.

Linen is especially good if:

• You are a hot sleeper or often wake up overheated

• Your bedroom is warm in summer or well heated in winter

• You live in a well insulated flat or modern build where heat lingers

For pure breathability, linen usually has the edge. For gentle, all round comfort, cotton is a very safe choice.

How they feel against your skin

There is no “better”, only what feels right to you.

Cotton: soft and familiar

• Smooth, soft and comfortable from the first night

• Great if you like a clean, classic feel with minimal texture

• Easy on sensitive skin when you choose good quality, natural cotton

If you want your bedding to feel immediately soft, cotton is the more predictable option.

Linen: relaxed and tactile

• Slightly textured at first, then softens beautifully with every wash

• Has that casual, relaxed, almost “holiday house” feeling

• Many people love the gentle weight and natural drape of linen on the bed

If you like texture in your fabrics, natural irregularities and a more sensory experience, linen will probably make you very happy.

Year round comfort: which works better across the seasons?

This is where “it depends” really applies. Think about your bedroom, not just the calendar.

Cotton as a versatile all rounder

Cotton works brilliantly in most UK bedrooms year round. Pair lighter, breathable cotton with a low to medium tog duvet in the warmer months, and a feather and down winter duvet when temperatures drop, and you have a flexible combination that suits most sleepers.

Cotton is ideal if you:

• Prefer to adjust your duvet tog rather than change your sheets with every season

• Want one set that can comfortably see you through most of the year

• Share a bed and need a compromise fabric that suits different preferences

For a simple upgrade, try pairing a feather and down duvet with breathable cotton bedding. It is a classic, cosy combination for UK bedrooms.

Linen as a natural temperature regulator

Linen is often associated with summer, but it works just as well in winter. The fabric does an excellent job of allowing excess heat to escape while still holding a gentle layer of warmth around you. The result is that you feel comfortably warm rather than hot, stuffy or trapped.

Linen is ideal if you:

• Overheat easily, even under lighter duvets

• Sleep in a well insulated home or warm flat

• Want bedding that feels cool in summer but not cold in winter

For year round comfort, cotton is slightly more neutral, linen is better if you lean warm.

Care, creases and how your bed looks

Bedding is not just about feel, it is about how your bedroom looks and how much effort you want to put into maintenance.

Cotton: neat, simple and easy

• Creases less noticeably, especially when removed promptly from the dryer or line

• Can be ironed for that crisp, hotel bed look, if you enjoy that ritual

• Generally low fuss, even if you simply shake, smooth and put straight on the bed

Cotton is best if you like your bed to look smooth, tidy and more classic.

Linen: beautifully rumpled and low effort

• Linen creases, and that is part of its charm

• The fabric drapes in a relaxed way that looks intentional rather than messy

• Many people skip ironing entirely, embracing the natural texture

If your style leans towards relaxed, lived in and effortless, linen suits that aesthetic perfectly.

Durability and long term value

Both cotton and linen can last for years when cared for properly, but they age quite differently.

• Cotton tends to stay soft and comfortable, though lower quality cotton can thin or bobble over time. Investing in better quality cotton usually means sheets that stay feeling lovely for longer.

• Linen is naturally strong. Its fibres are longer and tougher, and good linen bedding often feels better after a few years than it did on day one. Many people view linen as a long term investment rather than a quick purchase.

If you like the idea of bedding that looks and feels better with age, linen has a real advantage.

Sustainability and natural materials

Both linen and cotton are plant based and therefore more natural than synthetic fabrics.

• Cotton is widely grown, and you can opt for better quality, more responsibly sourced cotton where brands make that clear.

• Linen comes from flax, which typically needs less water than cotton and can grow well in cooler climates, which is why linen is often praised as a more eco conscious choice.

If sustainability matters to you, look for:

• Clear information about fibre content, not just vague “natural blend” wording

• Brands that talk openly about materials, not only colours and styling

So, which is better for year round comfort?

A simple guide based on how you sleep and live:

Choose cotton sheets if you:

• Want a soft, familiar feel from the first night

• Prefer a neater, more classic looking bed

• Share with a partner and need a safe all rounder

• Like to adjust your duvet tog with the seasons rather than your sheets

Choose linen sheets if you:

• Often wake up hot, clammy or restless

• Love texture and a relaxed, lived in look

• Want bedding that still feels comfortable in a warm bedroom

• Are happy to invest a little more in something that will last and soften over time

Many people enjoy a mix, for example cotton in the guest room, linen on the main bed, or cotton pillowcases with a linen duvet cover for added breathability.

If you would like to experiment, start small and try changing just your pillowcases first. It is an easy way to notice how your skin, hair and overall comfort feel in the morning.

Bringing it into your own bedroom

If you are still unsure, start by asking yourself three simple questions:

1. Do I usually feel too hot or too cold at night?

   • Too hot: lean towards linen or very breathable cotton

   • Often cold: cotton with a good feather and down duvet can feel cosier

2. Do I like my bed crisp or relaxed?

   • Crisp and tidy: cotton

   • Relaxed and effortless: linen

3. Am I buying something to last?

   • If yes, consider linen or higher quality cotton that will wear well

Whichever you choose, prioritising natural, breathable fabrics is one of the simplest ways to improve your sleep comfort all year round. It is a quiet upgrade, but one you will feel every single night.