Why Are Linen Sheets So Expensive?

Look, we may be biased, but linen really is the bedding du jour. Scroll on social media or in a luxury home publication and you'll be met with chic home after chic home that features effortlessly stylish rooms with linen bedding.

In the interior design world, few fabrics exude the same sense of timeless elegance and stylishness as linen. It has adorned beds and tables for centuries, elevating the spaces it inhabits. It looks luxurious yet relaxed and is loved for its unmatched qualities.

Traditionally, linen bedding was reserved for the elites who could afford it, but thanks to direct-to-consumer brands (such as Bed Threads), it has become much more accessible. Still, if you're comparing them to cotton or synthetic alternatives, you might be wondering, "Why are linen sheets so expensive?"

Below, we investigate exactly why linen is the superior bedding choice, why it can be more expensive, and why it's a sought-after product for sleeping in and making your bedroom look chic. After all, you spend one-third of your life in bed, soyou might as well spend it well!

1. Manufacturing linen is a laborious and time-consuming process

Linen is more costly than cotton because the flax plant from which linen originates demands special care and attention during harvest and – lacking elastic properties – is harder to weave without the risk of snapping threads. This means spinning and weaving machines must run at lower speeds, resulting in less linen produced per day. It requires careful cultivation, harvesting, retting (soaking to separate the fibers), drying, and then further processing to create the final fabric. Basically, linen requires more time and resources to produce than cotton, which is why it costs more.

Fun fact: It takes 90 or so days from sowing the flax seed to harvest alone.

2. Linen is more durable

Linen outperforms traditional manchester in a number of respects. Boasting incredible tensile strength, it's more durable and hardwearing compared to cotton or wool. In fact, linen is one of the strongest natural fibers there is, approximately 30% thicker and stronger than cotton. Unlike machine-woven cotton which can succumb to wear and tear over time, flax linen actually improves with age and benefits from a low-maintenance approach to care – yes, that means no ironing or dry cleaning is necessary!

3. Linen is eco-friendlier

Not only is linen one of these most luxurious and stylish fabrics, it's also one of the most eco-friendly. Made from flax plant fibers, this strong material is resilient and can grow in poor soil, using significantly less water during production than cotton or polyester. The entire linen crop is utilised and it is a renewable, biodegradable, and recyclable resource (when made with eco-friendly dyes like the ones we use at Bed Threads), meaning it won't rot in landfill. Bed Threads as a business is also carbon neutral and utilizes plastic-free packaging, so you can feel good about your choice every time your head hits the pillow.

4. Linen production is limited

Flax cultivation is a specialised industry, and the production of linen is relatively limited compared to other fabrics such as cotton or polyester. The limited availability of linen fibers leads to higher production costs and subsequently higher prices for linen products.

5. It's luxurious

Linen is considered a luxury product and one that is in high demand. Its soft feel, beautiful aesthetic, timeless appeal that transcends trends, and lengthier production times make it a coveted bedding choice.

Why linen is worth the investment

1. It gets better with age

Like a fine wine, linen sheets get better with age. The fabric softens with each wash, making it more comfortable as the days roll by.

2. You can sleep in it all-year round

Flax linen is the ultimate in year-round comfort, keeping you cool in summer and cosy in winter thanks to its high air permeability which helps your body temperature regulate. So, no more need to swap out your sheets as the seasons change.

3. It's timeless

Transforming your bedroom into a luxurious space with timeless appeal, there’s simply nothing that rivals flax linen when it comes to style. Complementing both classic and contemporary interiors, linen’s simplicity, texture and natural feel will tie in elegantly with any home decor scheme.