Best kids bedding: our edit of the best children’s bedsheets and duvet covers

We've picked out ten of the best kids bedding sets, with designs and colours that will please grown-ups just as much as children...

best kids bedding
(Image credit: Hibou Home)

Looking for the best kids bedding, to help you complete and complement your nursery design or kids bedroom scheme? We've picked out ten favourites that will please grown-ups just as much as children.

From pretty ruffles and classic gingham and floral prints to more out-there space theme and even notebook inspired bedding that you can draw on with wash-off fabric pens, there's bound to be a design below that suits your child's bedroom. We've even found a Disney print that's tasteful, nostalgic and pastel-coloured.

While design is important, we've also considered quality and breathability, and so the below options are all made from 100% cotton.

The best kid's bedding: bedsheets, quilts and duvet sets

Livingetc knows design. We spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, bringing only our edit of the very best to you. Find out more about how we review.

1. Reversible Gingham Bed Linen Set

The best classic print bedding for timeless appeal

Specifications

Material: 200 thread count 100% cotton
Sizes: Cot bed, single, double
Colour options: Blue, red, grey and pink

Reasons to buy

+
Classic and timeless design that won't date
+
Reversible so you can mix up the pattern
+
Soft, breathable cotton material
+
Available in various colours
+
Range of sizes from cot to double 
+
machine washable

Reasons to avoid

-
Nothing

This timeless gingham print duvet and pillowcase set is reversible with a star print on the reverse, so you can choose whether to have a starry theme with gingham accents, or a gingham set with starry accents. Both look gorgeous.

The print comes in navy blue (pictured), soft grey, pink and red, and there are matching fitted bedsheets available too.

Each set is made with The White Company's long-lasting 200-thread-count cotton percale. 

What we like

We love the classic design, it's timeless and won't date, plus it's reversible so you can mix up the pattern. It also feels super soft and crisp, plus the duvet set is available in cot bed sizes, single bed size as well as a double for adults.

We imagine it will be a much loved pattern for years - and when the kids want something else, this single duvet set even works in guest bedrooms as it’s not too childish.

The packaging it comes in is an added bonus, as The White Company's boxes feature an outline of houses and a city on the inside, so the cardboard box can be turned inside out and coloured in to keep the kids busy long enough to enjoy a cup of tea.

What we don't like

We couldn't think of anything.

2. Buddy & Hope Flounce Green Duvet Set

Best duvet set with ruffles / flounce edging

Specifications

Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: Crib set (100 x 130cm) and junior set (150 x 210cm)
Colour options: Green, pink and cream

Reasons to buy

+
Timeless design that won't date
+
Range of colour and size options
+
Gender neutral
+
Lovely linen-like quality / texture
+
Machine washable 60 degrees

Reasons to avoid

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Some children might not be as excited about the design as we are

Buddy & Hope's flounce duvet sets are made from 100% cotton and have an almost linen like quality to them. Available in dusty pink, sage green or a light cream colour, they are a gorgeous yet neutral bedding set, with gorgeous ruffled edges.

The set includes a duvet cover and matching pillowcase.

What we like

These flounce bedding sets look simple, timeless and are gender neutral. You're unlikely to bore of the design, and they'll fit in with any bedroom scheme (compared to the more themed bedding or character bedding which kids are drawn to).

What we don't like

There is absolutely nothing we don't like about this set, other than that we wish it came in adult size! The only thing we could fault it for is that the classic and simple design might not be as appealing to a child as it is to us.

3. Starry Sky Organic Bed Linen By Hibou Home

The best star print bedding set

Specifications

Material: 100% organic cotton
Sizes: 120 x 150cm Junior size and 140 x 200cm adult size
Colour options: Navy blue, soft pink or grey

Reasons to buy

+
Classic print which doesn't bore or date
+
Available in 3 different colours
+
Made from 100% organic cotton
+
Machine washable at 40 degrees

Reasons to avoid

-
Grey bedding set doesn't suit all schemes due to slightly green undertones

Hibou Home's Starry Sky bed linen has a lovely texture to it (it's 100% organic cotton), and comes in three different colours; navy blue, soft pink or grey. 

The starry pattern is quite subtle (the stars are not metallic, but more of a matte beige colour), and it has a timeless look and feel to it. We love the navy blue design as it will suit any star or space themed room, and works well with white, blue or red bedroom colour schemes. The soft pink version would look gorgeous in a little girl's room, and the grey option is a great gender-neutral design that will suit pastel schemes.

The design comes in two sized; kids or adult size. The junior size duvets have fabric tie closures, and the adult size duvets have a hidden button closure.

What we like

We love the starry pattern, as it has a fun and whimsical look to it that's perfect for kids bedrooms, but it's not too childish and not too themed – so they're unlikely to grow out of it any time soon. It even comes in an adult size!

All of Hibou Home's bed linen is made from super soft 100% organic cotton and OEKO Tex certified so you can be sure no nasty chemicals have been used, making it kind for your children's skin and kind to the planet too.

What we don't like

There's very little we can fault, other than that the grey set is perhaps a bit too green-grey to suit very blue schemes, and that the 'gold' stars are matte rather than metallic.

4. Garbo&Friends Fauna Junior Bedset

The best woodland themed bedding set

Specifications

Material: 100% cotton percale
Sizes: 130 x 100cm for children, 210 x 150cm for adults and 70 x 80 cm for babies
Colour options: Various woodland scene designs

Reasons to buy

+
Whimsical woodland design
+
Gender neutral
+
Comes in 3 sizes
+
100% Cotton 
+
Other woodland designs also available
+
Machine washable

Reasons to avoid

-
Won't suit bright bedrooms or themed bedrooms (unless it's botanical / woodland themed already)

This Fauna Junior Bedset from Garbo & Friends features a beautiful, whimsical woodland scene that's scattered with deer, owls, rabbits and bears. 

Inspired by old tapestries, the woodland scene is set in a dark teal with shades of beige and light green.

Crafted from 100% cotton percale which is Oeko-Tex certified, so it's kind on children's skin.

What we like

The bedding set features a beautiful pattern that lends a whimsical, woodland touch to a room. The fabric has a lovely and crisp cotton texture, and we love the tie-closures which are done up with little bows.

The bedding set arrives in a compact bag of the same pattern, which is tied up with a ribbon. 

While the set might seem a bit girly with the ribbons, the duvet set actually works well in young boys' bedrooms too, as the woodland pattern and colours are gender neutral.

It's available in this junior / kids room size, but there's also a smaller size to fit baby beds, and a larger size that works for adult beds.

What we don't like

As it's a patterned set, it will look best in plain or neutral bedrooms rather than themed bedrooms or rooms with a brighter colour palette.

5. Space Explorer Bedding Set

The best bedding set for space fanatics

Specifications

Material: 100% cotton percale
Sizes: 135 x 200cm
Colour options: Blue

Reasons to buy

+
Fun space themed set with planets, rockets and milkyways
+
Great fun for boys bedrooms or children who have an interest in space
+
Great quality, keeps its colour after washing
+
Easy to iron
+
Machine washable at 40 degrees

Reasons to avoid

-
Children might grow out of a theme or phase after a short time

There's something about space that captures the imaginations of children (and adults) from toddlers through to teens so it's no wonder that space-themed children's bedrooms are so popular. This beautiful space themed bedding set features realistically illustrated planets to give little ones a feel of looking through a telescope at the starry night sky.

What we like

The detailed duvet cover set includes a duvet cover and matching pillowcase made from soft cotton percale to keep children cool and comfy at night. Button closures at the bottom help it withstand the stress of frequent washing.

What we don't like

While we love the space pattern and the quality, children might grow out of themed bedding as soon as they move on to the next phase or interest. However, it's better to spend £36 on indulging their space interest with some bedding rather than investing in re-wallpapering the walls, so it's still a relatively small price to pay for a fun bedroom update.

6. Darling Dumbo Dream Blanket from Aden + Anais

The best summer blanket

Specifications

Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: 120 cm x 120 cm
Colour options: 19 different patterns available

Reasons to buy

+
Nostalgic pattern in muted, pastel watercolours
+
Large for a baby blanket, so can be used for years to come
+
Made from 4 layers of 100% cotton muslin
+
Machine washable

Reasons to avoid

-
None

Made from four layers of 100% cotton muslin, the Darling Dumbo Dream Blanket from Aden + Anais feels is light and breathable as well as soft and snuggly. 

It's super soft, and perfect for laying your little one on for tummy time and story time.

What we like

The muslin fabric feels a really good quality, and it's double sided with a pattern on both sides.

The Dumbo print is gorgeous, muted and nostalgic. It's a far cry from most Disney themed things – there are no garish colours, just pastels and vintage drawings. The pattern features lots of mother and baby animals - Dumbo but also zebras and giraffes, against a starry backdrop.

The blanket is also quite big for a baby blanket – large enough for swaddling, to use as a summer duvet / blanket when baby is older, and it could even work as a pretty bed quilt on a cot bed or toddler bed.

What we don't like

It smells a little a bit dusty when you first unpack it so we advise to pop it in a wash cycle before wrapping a baby in it - more for the smell than anything else.

We only wish it came in larger sizes so we could use it as a bed quilt for bigger beds!

7. Modern Native Blanket by Marmalade Lion

The best blanket for snuggling

Specifications

Material: Tencel® knitted fabric with pure cotton jersey on the reverse
Sizes: 110cm x 110 cm
Colour options: One pattern

Reasons to buy

+
Unbelievably soft
+
Large, thick and heavy enough to use as a bed quilt
+
Sweet patterns, sparkly gold detail on seam /edge
+
Easy to wash
+
Dries really quickly

Reasons to avoid

-
Might be a bit too girly for boys' bedrooms

The Modern Native Blanket from Marmalade Lion is unbelievably soft and cloud like. Stunning designs, soft on your baby’s skin, and oh so cosy – this Tencel® baby blanket really is the perfect all-rounder.

It features Australian florals as the main pattern, with a splatter print on the reverse. The seam along the edge has metallic gold thread running through it, creating a subtly sparkling effect.

What we like

The blanket feels lush, cosy and quilted, and it has a bit of weight to it so it keeps children snug at night. Perfect for wrapping up in on chilly evenings, with a film on the sofa, with a story book, or in bed.

It would look gorgeous in a nursery as a baby blanket but also as a lovely blanket or throw on a kids beds. We would give this 10/10 for softness.

What we don't like

The Australian floral print and splatter print are both great, and we hope it's the first of more pattern options! This blanket is great for girls, but might feel a bit too pink for boys' bedrooms.

8. Doodle Duvet Cover from EatSleepDoodle

The most fun bed linen set, great for budding artists

Specifications

Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: 140 x 200cm
Colour options: Available in different templates

Reasons to buy

+
Customisable, is designed to be drawn on
+
Comes with 10 double ended fabric markers
+
Patterns wash off, so can be reused again and again
+
Machine washable

Reasons to avoid

-
Probably best for ages 3 and up (not for little ones)

This award-winning Doodle duvet cover can be used like a giant sketchpad. Customise, then wash out and design again - endlessly creative, and lots of fun!

The Doodle duvet cover looks like a giant piece of file paper, with printed holes, lines and red margins on both sides. It comes with a pack of 10 wash-out doodle colour pens, so you can customise like crazy, wash-out to get a blank canvas and then start over again. 

There are also pillowcases to match, as well as colour-in options including a space theme and a dolls house theme – swipe to see photos.

They're great quality too, made from 100% 200 thread count pure cotton with button fastening.

What we like

We love the idea of being able to personalise and decorate your own bedding! The wash-out fabric pens are double-ended (one thin end, one thicker) and come in either bright colours or pastels.

What we don't like

While it's handy having the notebook style grid lines, we reckon under 3s will struggle to contain their excitement and won't be able to keep within the lines of the bedsheet. Turn your back for a split second and you may find pen marks all over the walls! Probably a better duvet set for slightly older children.

9. Leckford Bunny Floral Print Cotbed Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set

Best for nostalgic florals

Specifications

Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: 120 x 140cm cotbed duvet cover and one junior pillowcase
Colour options: A light, floral pattern

Reasons to buy

+
Adorable spring print with bunnies, ducklings, bluebells and other spring flowers
+
Comes with 1 pillowcase
+
Machine washable

Reasons to avoid

-
Button fastening is not the fastest

This adorable bunny, duckling and floral print bedding set from John Lewis has a sort of old-fashioned and nostalgic charm to it, and would look lovely in any little girl's bedroom.

Crisp, fresh and soft on the skin, the bedding set is made from 100% cotton percale.

What we like

It's such a lovely and spring-inspired print, with bluebells and spring florals, baby bunnies and yellow chicks. Uplifting and sweet. 

The bed linen set washes well too.

What we don't like

Definitely a girly-girl print, probably not suited to boy's bedrooms.

It has button fastenings which can be time consuming if you are washing kids bedding often – poppers are quicker.

10. Silver Cross Star Fitted Sheets

Best for cot bed fitted sheets

Specifications

Material: 100% cotton
Sizes: 142cm x 70cm
Colour options: Pair of sheets, blue and star print

Reasons to buy

+
Soft, good quality bed sheets
+
Gender neutral star pattern
+
Comes with 3 years warranty
+
Machine washable

Reasons to avoid

-
only available in one cot bed size

Made with 100% soft brushed cotton, the Star Fitted Sheets from Silver Cross include one sheet in a pretty star print and the other in a lovely pale blue.

What we like

The sheets feel super soft, are a great fit for standard cot beds, and feature a pretty star print pattern as well as a plain blue colour option.

What we don't like

The sheets are only available in one size.

What should you look for when buying children's bedding?

  1. Material: You will want to choose bed linen that's 100% cotton. Aside from feeling soft, cotton bedding is also more breathable, so your child will be able to stay cool at night.
  2. Size: Check the size of your duvets and pillows to make sure you buy the right size covers.
  3. Design: Choose a design they'll love, and that will suit the rest of their bedroom scheme. We've picked out ten favourites...
Lotte Brouwer

Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.