Bedding and linen buying guide

As the bed is the centerpiece of most children’s bedrooms, bedding presents a great opportunity to inject a little colour and fun into the space. It is your choice whether to go for graphic geometric and retro-inspired prints, or you could make a statement with bright, colour-blocked linen, patterned neutrals, or classic flowers, blocks and stripes.

While looks are certainly important, bear in mind that children’s bedding needs to perform well too; it should be soft, well-fitting and durable enough to withstand all those countless runs through the washing machine. Feeling a bit short on design ideas? Check out our gallery of gorgeous kids room designs in the Huggies Baby Room Designs section. 

Linen and bedding for baby

Bedding for your new arrival should be comfortable and safe, so there’s no risk of baby overheating or getting tangled in sheets and blankets. Opt for a fitted sheet that fits snugly around your baby’s mattress (stretch cotton jersey tends to provide the best fit), a plain or printed top sheet, plus two or three cellular cotton blankets that can be layered to suit the conditions. 

In the cooler months, add a cosy knitted blanket or a lightweight quilt to keep baby warm at night. Baby sleeping bags, which your little one can’t kick off in the night, are another popular option,  but they’re best used once baby’s a few months old. Sleeping bags come in different weights for different seasons, so be sure to choose one that suits the conditions.  

Natural, non-allergenic cotton sheets and cellular blankets are the best choices for baby bedding, as they’re lightweight, breathable and washable. Other baby-friendly bedding materials include organic cotton and bamboo. 

Linen and bedding for your toddler 

Once your little one graduates to a big bed, it’s time to invest in new bedding. Jazz up a plain room scheme with a bright, patterned duvet cover, quilt or sheet set, or balance out bright walls and flooring with understated, neutral bedding. Transform the bed into an eye-catching focal point by layering it up with cosy cushions in tactile materials such as wool, linen and felt, or customise a plain linen set with embroidered edging, ribbon or a bobble trim. 

When you’re ready to hit the shops, arm yourself with a paint sample, wallpaper and fabric cuttings so you can see at a glance whether the bedding will match the room’s décor. Older children will enjoy helping to choose their bedlinen, so let them get involved in the selection process.

If your child has their heart set on incorporating their favourite television character into their room scheme, bedding’s a great way to indulge the craze without too much of a commitment. A couple of pillowcases or a duvet cover won’t cost the earth, and they can always be relegated to back-up bedding for sleepovers once the fad has passed. 

You don’t need to be too rigid about co-ordinating your child’s bedlinen; a mix and match approach gives your child’s bedroom a relaxed vibe, and makes it easy to top up their linen collection with the odd bargain at sale time. It’s easy to mix different patterns as long as you stick with a simple colour palette of no more than three shades. 

Patterned linen for boys and girls

Most little girls are drawn to all shades of pink, and floral, botanical and fairy patterns always go down a treat. For a modern take on girly style, try mixing bedlinen in funky shades of lipstick pink with bright red and apple green. 

Little boys are sure to love bedding with a transport, dinosaur, cowboy or animal-themed design. Or, you could add drama to a monochromatic room scheme with plain bedding in look-at-me shades of red, blue or green.

Bold geometric and vintage style prints are all the rage in kids’ bedding right now, but if you prefer a traditional look, consider spots, stripes or gingham. Not only will these styles work with both modern and traditional furniture, but they’re easy to mix and match. 

Children’s linen size guide 

Kids’ bedlinen sizes vary between suppliers, but most conform to the following sizes: Cot flat sheet – 130 × 180cm

• Fitted cot sheet – 66 × 130 × 15cm
• Single flat shat – 160 × 250
• Single fitted sheet – 92 × 190 × 35cm
• Three quarter flat sheet – 180 × 250cm
• Three quarter fitted sheet – 107 × 190 × 35cm 

Don’t forget bedroom safety 

• Aim to keep your child’s room at around 18°C (a room thermometer can help you here). Check baby’s temperature regularly by feeling their tummy, and adjust bedding accordingly.
• Duvets and pillows are not recommended for children under 12 months old. Once your child is a year old, look for a duvet made from hypoallergenic materials, and with a washable cotton cover.
• A second duvet is a good idea in case you have one in the wash.
• Lighter weight duvets are better for children than heavier ones as their small bodies trap more heat than a grown up’s.
• Use cotton blankets for spring and summer in a fan- or air-conditioned room, and keep woollen blankets for winter.