What Is A Duvet Cover? The Differences Between A Duvet And Comforter

We all know a cozy night’s sleep is essential for a better sense of well-being. Choosing the right bedding can go a long way to help you accomplish better sleep.

Not only does the right kind of sleep setup keep your space looking beautiful aesthetically, but your bedroom also has the potential to contribute to the length and quality of your rest, which is why it’s so deserving of some extra consideration.

If you’re still not sure what a duvet is, how it’s different from a comforter, and where exactly a duvet cover comes in all of this - don’t worry, we’ve got you covered (no pun intended!). Here’s everything you need to know about using a duvet cover in your sleep setup:

What Is A Duvet Cover?

The humble duvet has been around for a long time, with early records showing proof of it being used by humans in the early 1600s. Duvets are meant to be used as a top layer for your bed. They usually come with some kind of soft fill whether that be down, feather, cotton, or synthetic blends, making them a cozy bedding option.

Duvets regularly come with removable duvet covers that allow you to switch the look of your bed up from time to time. You’ll find most bedding and home furniture stores sell a variety of patterned duvet covers that you can use to really customize the look of your bedroom.

What Is A Comforter?

A comforter is different from a duvet, though it can often get mixed up with one, and sometimes is used interchangeably to describe one. Popularly called a quilt, comforters are made of two separate lengths of fabric that are sewn together, filled with similar material to a duvet, and then quilted, to create extra padding and softness during sleep.

Comforters can have patterned variations, and some people choose to use these instead of opting to keep them covered. A duvet cover can still be helpful in the case of a comforter, however, because it enables you to clean your bedding more consistently while minimizing how much effort it might take.

What Are The Pros Of Using A Duvet?

Duvets are a popular option for sleepers who are looking for something versatile to use as bedding. Here are some of the advantages of using a duvet:

Duvets tend to be cheaper than typical comforters since they are lightweight and not really manufactured with anything but basic warmth in mind. This is why you’ll also find duvet covers of different ‘tog’ levels when you’re trying to shop for one.
If you’re the type of person who’s constantly changing what your preferred home decor style is, then a duvet might work best for you, since you can switch up your duvet covers with relative ease, and in doing so, change the whole look and feel of your bedroom.
Duvets are easy to maintain since they rely heavily on covers that can be washed on rotation. If you find clean-up a chore, then using a duvet can make the work easier.

What Are The Cons Of Using A Duvet?

The duvet doesn’t come without challenges. Here are some of the disadvantages of using a duvet cover in your sleep routine:

Finding an exact match for the duvet size you’ve found can be a challenge since different manufacturers can have different standard sizes.
It can also be expensive to keep finding separate bedding for your duvet, and replacing this every week can get tedious.
Duvets can also vary largely in terms of quality and longevity. If you do opt for a cheaper duvet, you may find that it is harder to keep it lasting long, that the fill starts to get lumpy, or you notice the duvet itself starts piling or getting frayed.

What Are The Pros Of Using A Comforter?

Comforters are a great long-term investment and perfect if you’re looking to up the cozy factor in your bedroom. Here are some of the advantages you can expect with a comforter:

While you can still use a duvet cover on a comforter, some can also come pre-patterned so you don’t have to concern yourself with switching them around too often.
Comforters are a simple and straightforward means of achieving warmth and coziness in your bedroom. The high quality and durability of comforters mean you never have to worry about uneven fill.
Comforters are much easier to accessorize than duvets. Since they lay flat on your bed, you can layer them with additional blankets and throws, or even on the top of sheets. This is great for bedrooms that aim for a cozier, warm look.

What Are The Cons Of Using A Comforter?

Comforters can be more of a challenge when it comes to certain aspects of maintenance. Some cons you can expect:

Since you’re not expected to use a cover with a comforter, they can be slightly more challenging to clean. Look out for comforters that are designed with ease of clean in mind to resolve this - the Puffy Comforter, for instance, is both machine-washable and dryer-safe, making maintenance simple.
Since you aren’t generally expected to cover a comforter, you need to be mindful of picking something patterned that might not suit your bedroom decor after some time. One way to avoid this is by picking a neutral-toned comforter, or one that is designed to be used with a duvet cover.

While there’s plenty of overlap between duvets and comforters, getting to grips with their differences can still be helpful as you’re planning your bedroom. If you’re the type of person who wants comfort that’s easy and straightforward, then you can’t really go wrong with a comforter.

If you’re still confused about how to pick between a duvet vs comforter, one simple principle can help keep you on track - go where comfort takes you. You’ll find decisions focused on creating a mini sanctuary within your bedroom are going to benefit you the most, both aesthetically and for your well-being.