Linen or sateen? Which bed linen suits you?

Some people love the lively texture of linen, others the fine sheen of cotton sateen. Both materials make a bed special – in different ways. If you are looking for new bed linen, it helps to think about your preferences first: How should the fabric feel? Which look do you like? And what does your everyday care routine look like?

The difference between linen and sateen

Linen describes a material: it is made from the fibres of the flax plant. Sateen describes a weave. At Marso Living, sateen bed linen is made of pure cotton. So the comparison is more precisely: linen bed linen or cotton sateen.

Linen: natural texture for your bed

Our linen bed linen is made from European linen in Portugal. Thanks to pre-washing – often called "washed linen" – it has its soft hand even before the first night.

Linen suits you if you like natural materials and a relaxed look. Its texture is allowed to show. You don't need to iron it for a beautiful bed. With use and the right care, the hand changes and becomes softer. How to wash and dry linen is explained in Caring for linen bed linen.

Linen is a lovely choice for warm nights. How warm you actually sleep, however, also depends on your duvet, the room temperature and how warm you personally feel.

Cotton sateen: fine sheen, beautiful drape

Our sateen bed linen is made from pure cotton in Portugal. Our cotton sateen has a thread count of 400. The sateen weave gives the fabric its subtle sheen and supple drape. It is a lovely choice if you like your bed calm and elegant.

Cotton sateen is not silk, and it does not have to be made of synthetic fibres. The material on the label shows you what the fabric is actually made of. The weave alone does not answer this question.

Which bed linen suits your season?

Linen and cotton sateen can be used all year round. Instead of choosing only by "summer" or "winter", pay attention to how cover and filling work together. A light duvet with your favourite cover can feel more balanced than new bed linen with a filling that is too warm.

You can read more in our guide Which duvet for which season?

How to care for both materials

According to our product care guidelines, linen and sateen can be washed at up to 60 °C. For regular care we recommend 40 °C on a delicate cycle. Use a little mild liquid detergent, avoid bleach and fabric softener and follow the care label. Air drying or the tumble dryer at a low temperature are both possible.

Both materials are available as a set with a duvet cover and two pillowcases: the Linen Bedding Set and the Sateen Bedding Set. With the set you save 10 % compared with buying the pieces individually.

Frequently asked questions

Is sateen bed linen made of polyester?

Not necessarily. Sateen is a weave. At Marso Living we use pure cotton for our sateen bed linen.

Does linen need ironing?

No. Its natural texture is part of the material. If you want to iron, follow the instructions on the care label.

Can I combine linen and sateen?

Yes. A linen duvet cover with sateen pillowcases brings together two different surfaces. Choose similar shades for a calm overall look or a deliberate contrast.