Cotton vs. Linen vs. Percale: The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Winter Bedding Layers

The Ideal Bedding for Cold Weather

When selecting bedding to keep you warm in cold climates, consider the type of material used for your bedding. The following is an overview of our three best selections of winter bedding materials, ranked from heaviest weight/warmest to cooler/crisper.

The Laine Duvet Cover Is the Best for Winter Bed Makers (Brushed Cotton)

Thermal Profile = Heavy Weight Thermal Insulation with Soft, Plush Feel - For customers wanting Ultimate Warmth and Who Live in Extremely Cold Weather Conditions

The Laine Duvet Cover is made out of brushed cotton or flannelette material. For a luxurious, warm bed during the winter, this is a must-have item!

The unique characteristics of brushed cotton are due to how the cotton is made. The cotton fibres are woven together to form the fabric, after which the cotton is treated mechanically by brushing the fibres with a machine. The result is a blanket-like product that creates an insulating layer by producing air pockets within the fabric.

Advantages of Brushed Cotton Duvets

Exceptional Type of Insulation: The cotton fibres create air pockets that allow exceptional insulation for providing extremely heavy warmth, with no suffocating feeling.
Ultimate Softness: The brushing technique enhances the soft-feeling/fuzzy texture of the fabric, making it feel like being wrapped in a warm hug.
Hypoallergenic Nature: Cotton is naturally hypoallergenic; therefore, if you are looking for an extra-soft layer to provide warmth, this is the perfect choice.

2. The All-Season Regulator: Manoli Duvet Cover (Heavyweight Linen)

Temperature Regulating and Breathable Warmth Thermal Profile. Manoli Duvet Cover, ideal for: People who want the best in luxury and want a product that provides constant temperature regulation, as well as for people who live in a mild climate during the winter months.

The burning question is: Is linen bedding warmer than a myth? Answer: Absolutely. Linen is well known for its cool and breezy feeling in summertime, but when you purchase high-quality, heavyweight linen, you will be surprised to find out how much warmer it will become as an insulator for you during the cold months of winter.

As you know, the moisture management properties of linen allow it to absorb and quickly release moisture, and will keep you dry due to the hollow fibre structure and the relatively loose weave. Additionally, the density of linen allows for heat retention and moisture removal, allowing the body to maintain a normal level of comfort throughout the night without that nasty clammy feeling that you may have experienced before when you woke up in the middle of the night and were cold.

Why Linen Works in Winter

Unmatched Temperature Regulation – Linen acts as a natural thermal regulator, helping to keep you warm when you’re feeling chilly. It can also wick away moisture before you become too hot and sweaty.
Washes as You Use – Linen becomes softer and even more comfortable with each washing, resulting in improved hand-feel quality over time.
Natural Beauty – The way linen has a little “wrinkle” effect, and is heavier, will give your bedding a beautiful, luxurious look.

The Conrad duvet cover, made from Percale fabric.
This Conrad duvet cover has a cool and crisp feel, which makes it lightweight and ideal for people who sleep hot year-round, including during December, and would like a hotel-quality feel to their bedding. Percale is a simple one-over-one weave that gives the fabric a crisp matte surface like the fabric used for button-down shirts. Percale is usually made from cotton and has a cooler profile compared to other options. Nevertheless, percale is an excellent choice for individuals who tend to kick their covers off while sleeping. When used in combination with a heavier duvet insert, percale offers a firm, cool surface that provides the necessary comfort and prevents excessive moisture build-up at night. Additionally, percale provides substantial cushioning and support underfoot.

Benefit of Percale

Because of the high-density, open weaving within the fabric, air can easily flow through the percale, thereby giving it a cold hand-feel and helping to maintain a cooler temperature against your body while sleeping.
A matte finish provides a quiet touch of sophistication with its understated look and serves as a perfect introduction to adding other items.
Ideal for layering beneath a heavier piece of bedroom furniture, the thickness and lightness of percale fabric allow for comfortable layering underneath an Amity Home linen or cotton coverlet.

Design Tip: Finishing Your Luxury Winter Bedding

Selecting a duvet cover isn't the end, but layering is what adds an element of luxury to your bedding throughout the winter. To make your bedroom a beautiful and comforting retreat, always put a coverlet or throw at the end of your bed to provide that extra layer of warmth and interest to the room.

At Amity Home, we offer stunning coverlets like the Ashford (100% Linen) for a breathable layer, and the Aubrey (100% Cotton) for a soft and cosy feel. The coverlet is the foundation of your bedroom's look, and it is essential to complete the overall style of your bed.

Finally, after selecting your duvet cover, be certain to conceal the unattractive metal frame of your bed with a well-fitted, tailored bed skirt. Check out our "Why You Need a Tailored Bed Skirt" article to achieve the polished look you desire.

Start Building Your Winter Retreat

The best luxury winter bedding is dependent on your individual Warmth Spectrum when choosing fabrics. We have the perfect layer for you, whether you are looking for a warm, heavy insulation fabric such as brushed cotton, an active temperature-regulating fabric like linen, or a cool, crisp fabric such as Percale.

Not sure which fabric feels best? Order a Swatch Sample Here to feel the texture before you buy.