What is the best bed linen for summer? These 3 materials will help you keep your cool at night, even in the summer heat

These types of bed linen will help you stay cool at night, even during heatwaves

A neutral bedroom with light and airy bed sheets
(Image credit: Stephen Kent Johnson. Design: David Scott Interiors)
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Best linen bed sheets
2. Best bamboo bed sheets
3. Best cotton bed sheets

We've all been there in the warm summer months - long, sleepless nights where you end up tossing, turning and flipping your pillow for the cool side. We think it's best to get ahead and pre-empt night-time discomfort, so do your shopping now so you've got the right bed linen on hand and ready to go to help you get a full night's sleep. 

When it comes to picking the best bed sheets for summer, you've got to pick a fabric that keeps you cool. Sheets made from linen, bamboo and cotton with a percale weave are known for being lightweight and airy, a perfect choice for warm sleepers.

You also should consider sheets that are versatile. 'I love sleeping under linen which is cool in summer yet comforting in winter,' says Jo Littlefair of Goddard Littlefair. 'It also has the added benefit that it looks effortlessly stylish when not ironed, life is too short!'

To help you find the sheets for your bedroom, we've scouted out the best of the best, readily available to buy now for a sleep-filled summer ahead. 

Best linen bed sheets

Linen sheets are breathable, wick away moisture better than cotton and synthetic alternatives, and generally feel light on the skin - all to help you sleep a little better in the summer months. 

Best bamboo bed sheets

As a textile, bamboo is naturally thermoregulatory, which means it helps you keep cooler in summer when you need it, and warm in the winter, making these a great choice for your bed year round. 

Best cotton bed sheets

Cotton is a much better choice than synthetic bed sheets to ensure your bedding is breathable, lightweight and absorbent. 

What is the best thread count for sheets to stay cool?

If you're worried about how you can stay cool in bed this summer, look for that all-important low thread count. Something between 200 and 280 would work wonders, and this way, your bedding will stay soft while also allowing vital airflow when you sleep. 

'For bedding, choose a thread count over 200 but don't be swayed too much by anything over 800,' says Jo Littlefair of Goddard Littlefair. 'Choose sheets that are produced responsibly with quality fibers as these manufacturers are hopefully using longer length fibers that won’t fray and split.

Bed sheet thread count refers to the number of vertical and horizontal strands in one inch of fabric but contrary to the popular belief, it's not strictly true that the higher the thread count, the better. In fact, more threads mean a thicker and heavier material, so look for something lower which will guarantee lightness. 

Oonagh Turner
Livingetc content editor and design expert

Oonagh is a content editor at Livingetc.com and an expert at spotting the interior trends that are making waves in the design world. Writing a mix of everything and everything from home tours to news, long-form features to design idea pieces on the website, as well as frequently featured in the monthly print magazine, she's the go-to for design advice in the home. Previously, she worked on a London property title, producing long-read interiors features, style pages and conducting interviews with a range of famous faces from the UK interiors scene, from Kit Kemp to Robert Kime. In doing so, she has developed a keen interest in London's historical architecture and the city's distinct tastemakers paving the way in the world of interiors.