When you prioritize comfort and elegance in the home, designer specialty linens make all the difference. It’s natural to want the best – and investing in premium quality luxury linens creates a home sanctuary where form meets function and lasts for years.
The best luxury linens for you may not be the best luxury linens for someone else, but understanding the distinction between standard and specialty products will help you make a buying decision you’ll be happy with long-term.
When shopping for linens for bed, bath, and table, you can take many paths; some prefer the path of value, while others choose luxury. Here’s why the path of designer specialty luxury linens is one worth taking:
Designer linens, Luxury Linens, or Fine Linens, whatever you want to call them, are an investment, but a worthwhile one. If you’re on the fence about whether to commit to luxury linens, consider the benefits they provide. For example, these specialty linens are made to last for decades, even when used every day.
We are constantly utilizing our beds, towels, and tables. It’s worth asking yourself if these spaces are equally as beautiful and comfortable as they are functional. If not, elevating these elements with designer versions can transform the experience.
Bed linens alone are used for nearly one-third of our lives as we sleep. When you compare how often they’re used with the difference in cost between luxury linens and standard linens, it’s a negligible difference in cost to upgrade, but the impact on your life is significant – and the benefits of improved sleep on health and overall wellbeing are priceless.
Choosing designer linens is also a form of self-care. It brings luxury to the everyday, elevating routines into rituals that you look forward to.
Opt for quality fabrics when selecting linens for the home, since we spend so much time in contact with these materials, especially bed and bath linens. Not only is it better for the skin, but it also creates a more indulgent experience.
High-quality fabrics also go the distance, while standard fabrics of lower quality will need to be replaced more frequently. Choose to buy a luxury piece once and enjoy it forever instead of buying lower-quality pieces again and again. Less consumption is also more beneficial for the environment.
When determining the fabric quality of high-end, luxury items, look for:
People often underestimate the power and importance of quality fabric until they first experience it. After the first investment, it can be hard to use anything else.
If you’ve ever purchased custom furniture, you know the value of investing in something above the ordinary. Having something truly special that fits your space and vision creates a cohesive, whole-room design and experience. Fine luxury linens have that same power.
Buying designer luxury fine linens means you can trust they are crafted from the finest fabrics by skilled artisans, and the designs aren’t made quickly or en masse. Instead, they’re made slowly, and with intention and care.
Additionally, with renowned linen houses and designers, you’ll enjoy an enhanced buying experience and have expanded access to customization options, such as embroidered designs and monograms, which are often exclusive to luxury brands.
Regular linens and designer specialty fine linens both offer unique value. Regular linens are more affordable, but designer luxury fine linens offer more in terms of value per use, comfort, style, and quality.
When you choose luxury over standard linens, you are choosing quality over quantity, lasting use over multiple replacements, and inviting everyday experiences over run-of-the-mill daily routines. It’s a small choice among the many we make every day, but it can make a big impact on your lifestyle.
Designer specialty luxury fine linens include full collections of bed, bath, and table linens. When shopping for linens for your home, you may choose to purchase some, or all, of the following types:
Consider the types, fabrics, and weaves of bed linens.
Consider the types and weaves of bath linens.
Consider the types of table linens and their most common fabrics.
When choosing bed linens, start with the fabric and look for long-staple Egyptian or Supima cotton, Modal, or high-quality linen woven in Italy. If choosing to go with cotton, look for a minimum of 300 thread count sheets woven in Italy. Thread counts can go as high as 1000 threads- choose the one that feels the best to you. Keep in mind, that the higher the thread count, the warmer the sheeting will be. Next, check the brand. Finally consider which size and style of bed linens you’ll need.
If you’re after a simpler more European look, you may not want more than a fitted sheet, duvet cover, and pillow covers. Most Americans like to use a top or flat sheet with the duvet cover. Simply put, it is just what is most common to us. This may cut down on the need to wash the duvet cover every week.
If you like a more luxurious designer specialty look, add more pillow shams in different sizes and a quilted coverlet, then fold the duvet cover at the end of the bed. For those who do not want a duvet cover at the end of the bed consider a beautiful and function throw. Great for an afternoon nap or as an added layer on a cooler than usual night.
When it’s time to shop for bath linens, follow a similar approach to filter your options by quality and design. First, look for thick Egyptian cotton or Turkish cotton fabric with a terry cloth, french terry, or waffle weave. Consider how plush and thick you want your bath linens and choose between a 500 GSM lightweight towel, 600 GSM medium-weight towel, or for the heaviest weight, a 700-800 GSM heavyweight towel depending on your preference. For a full set of bath linens, you can purchase two of each size of towel in the same color, selecting which bath linens will best serve you.
And when picking out table linens, look for high-quality materials like linen or, less used cotton. Then, to ensure you get the right size and shape tablecloth, table skirt, or runner for your table measure your table by the width, length, and height. Select placemats and napkins based on style and color preference to complete the look. If you choose a tablecloth, you will not need a runner or placemats. Simply select matching napkins.
Runners are used less often but can make a nice addition to the center of table when the table is not in use or can compliment the placemats and napkins used for dining.
Beyond the qualities to look for, there are a few different approaches you can take when choosing the right designer luxury fine linens for your needs.
You could take a shopping approach based on function, in which you look for products that satisfy your functional needs you have for the bed, bath, or table.
Alternatively, you could shop based on the experience you want to create in your home with the linens. If you take this route, think about what feeling you want your linens to evoke and which colors and patterns best complement your home. Having photographs of the rooms for which you want to purchase linens is extremely helpful. It will help the salesperson to offer the best solution and it will help you to imagine your selection in the room.
The difference between regular linens and luxury designer fine linens is obvious in terms of quality, longevity, and feel. They’re an investment with the potential to last as long as you can continue to care for them, and they have a way of elevating even the simplest moments.
The switch to distinctive, luxury linens from regular linens can transform everyday living into a true luxury lifestyle. Get inspired to upgrade your home with celebrated linens stylist Liz Barbatelli’s curated collections and gain insights on some of the best brands and manufacturers on her blog.
Make an appointment to visit Liz at her flagship store,
E. Braun & Co. or request a virtual consultation.
Follow Liz for her latest designs & curations in bed, bath & linen.
