Texture of the Year: How to style your bedroom with washed linen

Soft, serene, and timelessly stylish. It’s easy to see why Etsy chose washed linen as its first-ever ‘Texture of the Year’. 

There’s long been a spotlight on the importance of colour in interior design – with every paint company, designer, and colour enthusiast predicting which shade will dominate our palettes each year.

But now, it’s time for the hues to take a pew. At least for the moment. Etsy has officially announced the first-ever ‘Texture of the Year,’ shining a light on the growing importance of material choice in our home decor.

In this article, we’ll explore what this momentous occasion actually means, along with tips and tricks on how to use washed linen in your own bedroom design. Folks, the inaugural Texture of the Year has landed… softly.

“There’s a clear appetite for textures with natural variation, and washed linen has emerged as the standout of the moment.”
– Dayna Isom Johnson, Trends Expert at Etsy

It seems that, for Etsy, washed linen was a natural choice for its debut Texture of the Year. Emphasis on the ‘natural’, not least because it’s made from flax fibres, but because it has a beautifully organic, tactile feel.

With more and more of us turning away from maximalist bedroom decor and towards designing a more calming, restorative space, washed linen offers an easy route to instant zen. Just like Pantone’s Colour of the Year Cloud Dancer (a tranquil shade of white), Etsy’s texture choice aligns with the wider trend of creating calming retreats in our homes. Washed linen can soften a space instantly, bringing subtle texture, depth, and effortless natural warmth.

In the era of quiet luxury, washed linen brings that elevated-yet-casual essence, which feels simultaneously luxurious and relaxed – making it an ideal texture to introduce to your understated bedroom aesthetic.

And of course, it’s incredibly versatile. Washed linen has a timeless quality, complementing both classic and modern interiors in equal measure. It truly is for everyone.

To help you bring the enduring appeal of washed linen to your own bedroom design, here are some of our top styling ideas…

Linen bed frames

To make a big statement in a gentle way, consider a headboard or upholstered bed crafted out of washed linen. This way, you’re introducing a textural centrepiece that completely elevates your bedroom look, whilst still remaining totally understated. After all, quiet luxury doesn’t need to shout to be noticed…

Washed linen bedding

Given its perfect combination of crisp and soft, it’s no surprise that this texture is a superior choice for bed linens. It’s light, airy, and breathable, and so soft that you just won’t be able to resist diving into bed every single night.

The soft crumpled effect also gives a laid-back, lived-in look that instantly makes your bedroom feel relaxed, inviting, and effortlessly put together. Intentionally undone, for that ‘I just woke up’ aesthetic.

Best colour pairings for washed linen

When it comes to colour pairings, washed linen has a beautifully relaxed, organic feel, which makes it incredibly versatile. Some of our favourite colours to look for when choosing washed linen beds and bed sheets are:

• Bright white
• Cream
• Baby blue
• Beige
• Olive green
• Chocolate brown
• Terracotta

Washed linen accessories

If you’d prefer to bring just a sprinkling of washed linen loveliness to your bedroom, consider introducing the texture through your accessories. This could be with some beautifully draping washed linen curtains that casually cascade down around your windows, or even a relaxed canopy above your bed for a dreamy, cocooned feel.

You could also dress your bed with layers of washed linen cushions or a throw, to bring depth and cosiness. Even small touches like a linen-lined storage basket or a handmade linen piece of wall art can make all the difference. The options are truly endless!

As the focus quietly shifts from colour to texture, washed linen proves exactly why it deserves its moment in the spotlight. Soft, serene, and super versatile, this material brings a sense of much-needed calm to our interiors. Now, you can sleep soundly knowing you’ve chosen a texture that’s as practical as it is beautiful.

Check out Etsy’s full ‘Texture of the Year’ announcement here.