Where to buy bedding – the best places to shop bed linen, duvets, pillows and more

Wondering where to buy bedding? Then you're in the right place. As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor I've been lucky enough to test out bedding from over 30 different brands, and in this guide, I'll share my thoughts on the best places to shop.

After all, improving your sleep quality doesn't stop at finding the best mattress for your sleep style. What you put on the bed – from the sheets you lay on to the pillow you rest your head on – is important too.

We spend about a third of our lives in bed, so good bedding is well worth the investment. That's why I've rounded up some of my top recommendations, including options that offer style and practicality for all budgets.

Where to buy bedding – the quick list 

• Argos: budget pillows, duvets, and more £-££
• Christy: good quality bed linen ££-£££
• Dunelm: affordable bed linen, pillows, and duvets £-££
• DUSK: luxury bed linen at low prices £-££
• furn.: fun kids and Christmas bed linen £-££
• H&M: on-trend and affordable bed linen £-££
• John Lewis: good quality bed linen and bedding £-£££
• La Redoute: wide range of colourful bed linen ££-£££
• M&S: wide range of quality bed linen and bedding £-£££
• Panda: memory foam toppers and pillows ££-£££
• Piglet in Bed: linen bed linen and wool bedding £££
• Simba: innovative synthetic bedding £££
• Scooms: luxury Hungarian goose down bedding £££
• Soak & Sleep: wide range of quality bedding ££-£££
• The White Company: luxury bedding and white bed linen £££
• Woolroom: wool bedding that's great for hot sleepers £££

The 16 best places to buy bedding

Whether you're looking to source the best duvet for keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer, the best pillows for your sleeping position, or some hotel-worthy bed linen, I think these are the 16 best places to shop.

I've chosen the best bedding options for all budgets, but, if you keep an eye on our bedding deals page, you might even be able to snap up the more expensive options for less.

1. Marks & Spencer

Whatever type of bedding you're looking for, you're almost guaranteed to find it at Marks & Spencer. From budget-friendly feather-and-down duvets and pillows to easy-to-care-for fitted sheets and pillowcases, M&S nails affordability, practicality, and quality.

2. John Lewis

However, M&S does have competition. Whereas John Lewis used to be the more expensive option for bedding, its pricing is now far more competitive and depending on what you're shopping for, the brand often beats M&S for value for money. Plus, as well as affordable own-brand lines, John Lewis is one of the few stockists of luxury British bedding brands such as Piglet in Bed's dreamy linens and Floks fantastic wool duvets.

3. The White Company

There's no denying that The White Company’s bedding is an investment, but if you're looking to splurge on a luxury Hungarian goose down duvet or want some hotel-worthy bed linen, the White Company has both. Plus, although sales are rare, if you keep an eye on our White Company deals page you might be able to snap up a bargain, especially if you can hold fire on shopping until the end of November when the brand usually offers a 'White Weekend' of discounts in response to other retailers honouring Black Friday deals.

4. Christy

Christy has been making bed linen (as well as some of the best bath towels on the market) for nearly 200 years, and I've always found the brand's quality to be reliably consistent. There are flat sheets, fitted sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases available in a whole host of shades.

5. Dunelm

If you’re looking for budget bedroom ideas, say hello to your new best friend. Dunelm has become a firm favourite of the Ideal Home team, with a wide range of affordable bedding that won't break the bank.

6. Soak & Sleep

Online-only retailer Soak & Sleep offers a huge range of bedding, and everything I've tested from the brand has been great quality at a reasonable price point. Whether you're after bedding with feather-and-down, wool, cotton, or synthetic fillings, Soak & Sleep has a great choice, and its bed linen is made from quality fabrics that wash well.

7. DUSK

If you want bed linen that looks super expensive but only costs a fraction of the price, DUSK is where you need to shop. The brand's collections will not only make your bedroom look expensive on a budget, but regular sales mean you'll rarely need to pay full price. The one caveat; the brand focuses on cotton and most bed linen is some variation on white.

If you're looking for hotel-quality bed linen the Cambridge 200 Thread Count Duvet Cover won't disappoint. Finished with a piped edge that comes in black, white, or grey it looks super smart on the bed.

8. Piglet in Bed

If you love the relaxed look of linen bed linen then you'll want Piglet in Bed on your radar. Originally one of the best stockists of linen sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases in on-trend ginghams and stripes, the brand has recently extended its range to include pure cotton bed linen and relatively affordable wool-filled duvets and pillows.

9. La Redoute

French online retailer La Redoute is another great option for on-trend bed linen. The brand's prices are usually reasonable, and regular sales mean you can often find up to 40% off.

10. furn.

Super affordable and with a range of great prints and colourful patterns furn. is my top recommendation if you're looking for fun bed linen for a kid's bedroom or teenage lair, although the range also comes in grown-up sizes. The brand's Christmas bedding range is usually particularly strong when the time comes, with fun and quirky xmas prints and classic festive designs.

11. H&M

Over the past few years, H&M homeware has gone from strength to strength and the Ideal Home team can’t get enough of its soft furnishings, from its bath towels to its bedding. Largely offering neutral and natural bedding sets, H&M is perfect for those who want to add a Scandi vibe to their bedroom.

12. Argos

Argos is great for affordable bedding basics such as mattress toppers and electric blankets. It now also stocks the Habitat bed linen range, which is great news for those of us looking to add colour and pattern to our bedroom for less.

13. Panda

Popular with fans of memory foam bedding, Panda's pillows and mattress toppers offer great quality. In fact, its bestselling The Topper is one of the best mattress toppers we've tested.

14. Woolroom

Woolroom is trying to change the prevalence of synthetic materials in bedding. This brand only uses 100% British wool in every single product and is dedicated to using this material to give everyone a better night’s sleep. In fact, all of its products are heat-regulating, naturally hypoallergenic, air-purifying, and naturally flame-retardant.

15. Simba

You probably don’t need us to tell you that Simba's mattresses are some of the most popular around. But, Simba is much more than just a mattress brand. It also offers a range of synthetic pillows, duvets, and toppers that regularly score well in reviews.

16. scooms

We couldn't talk about the best bedding brands without talking about scooms. The brand offers some of the best feather and down bedding I've tested, with pillows and duvets made from 90% Hungarian goose down – the best you can buy.

FAQs

What is considered the best bedding?

Like many things in life, the best bedding is subjective. ‘You may like the feel of silky-soft sateen weave cotton bedding or prefer the crisp and cool effect of percale weave cotton sheets', explain Emily and Jonathan Attwood, founders of luxury bedding brand Scooms.

Or perhaps 'the relaxed look and feel of 100% linen that you don’t have to iron may appeal, or luxurious long-fibre Egyptian cotton might be the only bed linen for you’, they continue.

However, whichever material you opt for, they agree that the best bedding is breathable, temperature-regulating, lightweight, and durable.

What is the best thread count for bedding?

We can’t talk about the best bedding without talking about thread count, as this is often used as a barometer of how good bed linen is.

We asked Emily and Jonathan Attwood, founders of Scooms, for their insights. 'Thread count refers to the number of threads woven together per square inch of material' they explained. 'This generally refers to cotton as linen and silk are not measured by thread count'.

'The more threads woven together means a higher thread count. Great sheets are determined by the quality of the fabric, the weave and the finish. A high thread count can be a good indicator of good quality bedding, although it won’t make up for poor quality ingredients and an inferior finishing process.'

So what are the benefits of a high thread count? 'Typically, cotton materials with a higher thread count are warmer, more durable, softer, or soften well over time' the duo explained. 'Thread counts for bedding typically range from 200 to 800, though 1,000 and higher thread counts do exist'.

However, they also warn that higher thread count numbers aren't always better. 'Keep an eye out for suspiciously sounding high thread count' they advise. 'Some manufacturers unfortunately achieve high thread counts by artificial means. Instead of counting individual threads they count each ply spun within each thread and then twist multiple yarns together. Which could indicate low quality cotton that is artificially strengthened in this way'.

'We would recommend choosing 400-600 thread count sheets. Lower thread count bedding may wear badly, higher thread counts can feel overly stiff or could have been made with lower quality yarn.'

David Stockton, head of marketing at hotel supplier Richard Haworth, suggests you can go even lower and still make your bedroom feel like a hotel. ‘You should typically opt for a 200-300 thread count, as although higher thread counts can feel luxurious, the more threads, the finer the threads; therefore, bedding can be less durable' he warns. ‘A luxury five-star hotel would usually order this thread count due to its durability and the fact it still feels nice’. Good to know!

How much should good bedding cost?

They say that if you buy cheap, you have to buy twice, and that is often the case when it comes to your bedding. Although it might not be viable for all of us, paying more for high-quality bedding will often work in your favour in the long run - as quality bedding won't just feel nicer and perform better, but it should also be more durable and last longer.

How often do you need to change your bed sheets?

The debate around how often you should change your bed sheets is a hot one. And while everyone has their own preferences and their own routines, experts suggest changing your bed sheets every week.

This will not only help get rid of dust mites, but will also wash away dead skin cells and sweat that make their way onto your bedding every night.

In fact, it’s suggested that you always wash your bedding on a high temperature, to ensure that you’re killing any bacteria or bugs that could be lingering within the fibres.