Cotton Sateen Bed Linen

Sateen describes a weave, not a fibre. It uses a one-under-four-over pattern that brings more thread to the fabric's surface, creating a silky-smooth feel with a slightly lustrous finish. Cotton sateen bedding is prized for its fluid drape and cocooning warmth. It has a very different character to the crisp, matte quality of percale, though both are woven from cotton.

Sateen's closer weave and slightly heavier weight give it a naturally warmer feel than percale, which makes cotton sateen bed linen a particularly good choice if you tend to sleep cool or prefer a more enveloping bed. That said, because it is woven from breathable cotton, it adapts well across the seasons. Many of our customers use sateen year-round.

It comes down to the weave. Sateen's one-under-four-over construction creates a denser, closer fabric with a slightly heavier drape, which naturally retains more warmth against the body. Percale's open, one-over-one-under weave allows more air to pass through, giving it that cool, crisp feel. See our bed linen buying guide for more

Pilling occurs when shorter fibres work loose from the fabric surface and tangle together. Because we weave our cotton sateen bedding exclusively from long-staple cotton, the fibres are less prone to this. Longer staple lengths produce a smoother, more tightly bound yarn that holds its surface well over time. With proper care, our sateen bed linen should remain smooth and pill-resistant for years.

We recommend washing at 30–40°C with a gentle detergent. Tumble drying on a low heat or air drying where possible, followed by a light iron, will help maintain the fabric's silky smoothness and gentle sheen. Bear in mind that care instructions can differ from design to design, so it is always worth checking the product label.