Choosing just the right linens for the table or bedroom can make or break your décor. Fortunately the choices are almost limitless these days. While true linen is a woven textile made from flax, we generally now refer to a variety of woven fibers as linen fabric.
True linen is in fact out of most people’s price range as well as not being the easiest of fabrics to care for. Cotton is by far the most popular choice in both table linens and bedding, but what should we be looking for when purchasing new linen?
When choosing bed linen or table linen it pays to purchase the best you can afford. Good quality linen should last around 10-15 years. Cheap linen may not even last you through a couple of seasons so it is worth considering cost versus price. Pay more to last rather than paying less more often. With that said, we all have to work within a budget.
This is where understanding the quality of linens comes into play.
The two main things to remember when choosing your fabric, whether it be bed or table linens, are staple length and thread count. Staple length refers to the length of the fibers used in the fabric while thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch. While it is not always to know what the staple length is the thread count is usually shown on packaging. Basically the higher the thread count the softer and finer quality the linen is going to be. The longest staple lengths generally come from Pima, Sea Island, or Egyptian cottons.
You will probably want to choose your bedding linens from the higher thread count range. This may not be quite as important in selecting your table cloths, where good looks and durability and ease of care play more of a role than comfort.
Whether you are choosing new duvet covers and sheets, or table cloths and napkins, pay attention to texture as well as colour. Texture is becoming increasingly important as an aesthetic aspect in home décor. Organic linens are also becoming extremely popular so it may be worth considering these as an environmentally and also healthy option when choosing your new linen. Get the best you can and always remember, in the end, it is what YOU like that matters.
