Bedding and linen "white sales" have been held by department stores every January since 1878.
The best times to buy bedding and linens are Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, Black Friday Weekend, Cyber Monday, back to school season, and all of January.
Wait until back to school season
The next best time to buy bedding and linens is during back to school season on Monday, August 5th.
Why? Bedding and linens are on sale during the back-to-school season because students are moving into dorms or apartments and need to stock up on essentials for their new living spaces.
Now
Buy August 5th
How often are Bedding and Linens on sale?
Bedding and linens are rarely on sale—about 18% of the year, or an average of 1-in-5.4 days.
Along with mattresses, nice bedding and linens go a long way towards making a bedroom feel more put together and improving sleep. They can also be profoundly expensive, leading many people to try to hold out for sales and promotions to make their purchases.
If you’re wondering when you should buy bedding and linens this year (and every year), here are the three months to consider for the biggest discounts.
January is almost always going to be the prime time to buy bedding and linens. Most bedding and linen retailers hold what’s called a “White Sale” each January to sell their down comforters, bed sheets, pillowcases, and bath towels at a steep discount. According to CBS News, consumers can expect to save up to 80% this time of year.
The concept of a White Sale actually began with a man named John Wanamaker[1] (who also invented the price tag—yes, really!) Wanamaker opened a store called Oak Hall for men’s clothing, which was possibly the earliest example of what we know today as a department store. His advertising tactics featured a “White Sale” every January beginning in 1878, so named because linens at the time only came in white.
The concept lived on, and most of today’s department stores and linen brands will offer their own discounts in January. Whether they still use the name of a “White Sale” or not, the concept stuck.
Not necessarily—some people argue that February is actually the best time to buy linens, because the leftover inventory after the White Sale might be even more steeply discounted. Given the low supply left at that time and limited number of choices in terms of fabric and color, we’d still recommend making your purchases in January so you don’t miss out.
“There’s a day for that” isn’t just a saying, it’s also the easiest way for retailers to cater their sales and add more target sales throughout the year. Although not a mainstream holiday, Sleep Awareness Week, which runs from March 13-19, offers another opportunity to buy new bedding.
After March, August is another great time to buy your bedding and linens—unless you prefer especially high-quality material.
Why? August is when the college crowd goes back to school, so most inexpensive and modest bedding options are discounted to attract students before they move into dorms and apartments. Some of these same discounts will apply to the more high-end pieces at stores like Target or Bed Bath & Beyond, but you’re not quite as likely to see discounts at specialty stores or high-end retailers.
Still, keep an eye out for discounts around the August/September time if you’re hoping to score on bedding.
Last but not least, bedding and linens are often included in Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales alongside countless other discounts. You may again have the best luck at big box stores, but don’t be surprised if the high-end retailers give discounts around this time as well.
If you’re desperate for new bedding by the time November rolls around, it makes sense to take advantage of these sales. Otherwise, you’re likely to capture the deepest discounts if you wait until January’s White Sales. In 2020, many Black Friday linen sales fell around the 20-25% discount mark, which doesn’t compare to the 80% that you can reach during White Sales.
The best times to buy bedding and linens are Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, Black Friday Weekend, Cyber Monday, back to school season, and all of January.
Bedding and linens are likely on sale during Amazon Prime Day due to the high demand for these items as people look to refresh their homes and take advantage of the discounted prices.
Bedding and linens are on sale during the back-to-school season because students are moving into dorms or apartments and need to stock up on essentials for their new living spaces.
Bedding and linens are on sale during Black Friday because many retailers offer significant discounts on home goods, making it an ideal time for customers to purchase these items at a reduced price.
Bedding and linens are on sale during Black Friday Weekend because many retailers offer significant discounts on home goods, making it an ideal time for customers to purchase these items at a reduced price.
January is the prime time to buy bedding and linens. Most bedding and linen retailers hold what’s called a “White Sale” each January to sell their products at a steep discount.
Bedding and linens are on sale during Cyber Monday because many retailers offer significant discounts on home goods, making it an ideal time for customers to purchase these items at a reduced price.
