Brooklinen is a direct-to-consumer brand focused on delivering high-quality, luxury bedding at an accessible price point, emphasizing classic styles and premium materials. In contrast, West Elm is a comprehensive home furnishings retailer that offers bedding as part of its broader collection of modern, trend-forward furniture and decor, with a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical production.
Let's compare everything you need to know to decide which brand is right for your bedroom.
Brooklinen: The Affordable Luxury Bedding Brand
Founded in 2014, Brooklinen disrupted the bedding industry by offering direct-to-consumer, hotel-quality sheets, duvets, and home essentials without the traditional retail markup. The brand appeals to shoppers who prioritize comfort, quality materials like long-staple cotton, and a simple, timeless aesthetic. Brooklinen has built a loyal following by focusing on a streamlined product lineup and a hassle-free shopping experience.
- Product mix: Primarily focused on bedding, including sheet sets, duvet covers, comforters, and pillows. The brand has expanded to offer bath towels, loungewear, and home accessories like candles.
- Style/vibe: Clean, classic, and minimalist. Their collections feature neutral color palettes and subtle patterns that are versatile enough to suit modern, traditional, or transitional decor.
- Price point: Mid-range and value-driven. Queen sheet sets typically start around $99, with premium linen collections ranging from $200–$300.
- Quality: Known for using high-quality long-staple cotton in their percale and sateen weaves, resulting in soft, durable, and breathable bedding. Their linen offerings are also praised for their softness and longevity.
- Return policy: Exceptionally generous, with a 365-night trial on most products, allowing customers to return items for a full refund within a year if they are not satisfied.
- Sustainability: The brand is focused on responsible dyeing practices, eco-friendly packaging, and working toward more sustainable sourcing for its core materials like cotton and linen.
Brooklinen is the go-to for anyone seeking premium, classic bedding that offers exceptional comfort and durability at a competitive price.
Shop Brooklinen: brooklinen.com
West Elm: The Modern Sustainable Home Brand
As part of the Williams-Sonoma family, West Elm is a major player in the home furnishings market, known for its modern, on-trend furniture and decor. Their bedding is just one part of a comprehensive home offering that emphasizes contemporary design, global artisan collaborations, and a deep commitment to sustainability. They cater to a design-savvy customer who wants to create a cohesive, stylish look throughout their home.
- Product mix: A full range of home goods, including furniture for every room, rugs, lighting, decor, and textiles. Their bedding collections are designed to complement their furniture and broader aesthetic.
- Style/vibe: Modern, with bohemian, mid-century, and eclectic influences. Expect textured weaves, earthy color palettes, bold patterns, and artisanal details that feel current and stylish.
- Price point: Mid-to-upscale. Bedding sets typically fall in the $150–$300 range, though specialty items or designer collaborations can be more.
- Quality: High quality, with a focus on premium and eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, tencel, and linen. Many products are Fair Trade Certified and made with FSC-certified wood and other responsible materials.
- Shopping experience: Omnichannel, with an extensive e-commerce site, nationwide physical retail stores for in-person viewing, and complimentary design services.
- Sales: Holds frequent sales events, especially around holidays, offering significant discounts across categories. Their rewards program also offers benefits.
West Elm is ideal for those who see bedding as part of a larger interior design vision and prioritize trend-forward styles and sustainability.
Shop West Elm: westelm.com
Brooklinen vs. West Elm Comparison
Price Comparison
For bedding, Brooklinen is generally more affordable. Their direct-to-consumer model allows them to offer high-quality sheet sets starting around $99, providing excellent value. This pricing makes upgrading your bedding accessible without a major investment.
West Elm's bedding is priced higher, with most sets falling between $150 and $300. This premium reflects the brand's focus on design trends, artisanal craftsmanship, and a deep commitment to sustainable and ethically sourced materials, such as organic cotton and Fair Trade certification.
Style & Aesthetic
Brooklinen’s aesthetic is clean, timeless, and minimalist. They favor solid colors, simple stripes, and subtle textures that feel classic and serene. Their bedding is designed to be a versatile foundation for any bedroom style rather than a statement piece.
West Elm's style is more eclectic and trend-conscious. Their collections often feature bold graphic patterns, rich textures, earthy tones, and globally inspired designs. Their bedding is intended to be a key element in a layered, thoughtfully decorated room, often coordinating with their furniture and decor lines.
Quality & Materials
Both brands offer high-quality products, but their focus differs. Brooklinen is renowned for its long-staple cotton, available in crisp percale and silky sateen weaves that are praised for softness and durability. They focus on perfecting these classic bedding materials.
West Elm also uses quality materials like organic cotton and natural linen, but with an added emphasis on texture and sustainability. You'll find materials like TENCEL™, Belgian flax linen, and recycled fabrics. Their commitment to ethical production is a key differentiator, with many products being Fair Trade Certified.
Shopping Experience
Shopping with Brooklinen is a streamlined online experience. Their website is easy to navigate, with clear information about fabric types to help customers make an informed choice. Their standout offering is a 365-night trial, making purchases virtually risk-free.
West Elm offers a more robust omnichannel experience. Customers can shop online, browse curated looks for inspiration, or visit one of their many physical stores to touch and feel products before buying. They also offer free design services to help customers style their spaces.
Sustainability & Ethics
While Brooklinen incorporates eco-friendly practices like responsible dyeing and packaging, West Elm is a clear leader in this area within the home industry. West Elm has a widespread commitment to fair trade, sustainable sourcing (using reclaimed and FSC-certified woods), and introducing products made from recycled materials. For shoppers whose purchasing decisions are driven by environmental and ethical considerations, West Elm's practices are a major draw.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer excellent products, but they cater to different priorities and styles.
Choose Brooklinen if:
- You're looking for premium-quality, hotel-style bedding at a great value.
- You prefer a minimalist, classic aesthetic with neutral colors and simple patterns.
- Your top priority is the soft, comfortable feel of high-quality long-staple cotton.
- You want the peace of mind that comes with an industry-leading 365-night return policy.
Choose West Elm if:
- You want bedding that reflects current interior design trends with unique patterns and textures.
- Sustainability and ethical production (like Fair Trade certification) are important factors in your decision.
- You're furnishing an entire room and want your bedding to coordinate with furniture and decor from the same brand.
- You value the ability to see and feel products in a physical store before purchasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brooklinen or West Elm cheaper?
For bedding, Brooklinen is generally cheaper. Their sheet sets start at a lower price point, delivering on their promise of affordable luxury. West Elm's prices are higher, reflecting their focus on trend-driven design and sustainable materials.
Which has better quality bedding?
Both brands offer high-quality bedding, but it depends on your preference. Brooklinen is celebrated for its classic material quality, specifically its soft and durable long-staple cotton. West Elm offers excellent quality with a focus on artisanal textures, organic fibers, and sustainable practices.
What is Brooklinen's return policy?
Brooklinen has one of the best return policies in the industry. They offer a 365-night trial on most of their products, meaning you can return them for any reason within a full year of purchase.
Is West Elm bedding sustainable?
Yes, sustainability is a core part of West Elm's brand identity. They are a leader in offering Fair Trade Certified, organic, and sustainably sourced products, including a growing portion of their bedding and textile collections.
Can I buy Brooklinen products in a store?
Brooklinen is primarily a direct-to-consumer brand that sells through its website. They have opened a few physical stores in major cities, but for most customers, the shopping experience is online-only.
Does West Elm have physical stores?
Yes, West Elm has an extensive network of retail stores across North America and beyond. This allows customers to experience products firsthand, a key advantage over many online-only brands.
Which brand is better for a minimalist style?
Brooklinen is the better choice for a minimalist style. Their focus on solid neutral colors, simple patterns, and classic materials like percale and linen fits perfectly with a clean, uncluttered aesthetic.
Are Brooklinen sheets soft?
Yes, Brooklinen sheets are known for their softness. Their best-selling Luxe Sateen sheets are famously silky and smooth, while their Classic Percale offers a crisp, cool softness that gets better with every wash.
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