So, you’re ready to create your ultimate sleep-space, but you don’t know where to start?

Keeping all the bedding definitions straight can be a challenge—what’s the difference between a duvet, a comforter, a duvet cover, and a coverlet anyway, and what do they all mean?

We’re here to clear it up, once and for all.

Duvet

A duvet (aka: comforter) is a term that hails from France and technically means comforter cover—but here in the U.S. it’s used synonymously with comforter. So a comforter is just a lofty, warm blanket consisting of a (usually quilted) shell filled with down, feathers, or a synthetic fiber. 

Want to know more about comforters? Click here to learn all about fillings and construction, and why they matter, or go here to make sure you’re caring for your comforter correctly (don’t worry, it’s super easy).

Duvet Cover

A duvet cover is the protective shell inside which your comforter goes. It functions much like a pillowcase does for pillows. Not only does it protect your comforter, it adds some style to your bed. 

By the way, if you’ve ever struggled with your comforter bunching up at the end, we feel you...that’s why our duvet covers come with internal corner-ties that help keep your duvet in place—so you can throw our duvets around as much as you want. It makes making your bed a whole lot easier, too.

Pro tip: if you want a quick way to refresh your room, get a new set of pillowcases and a duvet cover – they’re a simple and inexpensive way to make your space look and feel brand new.

Quilt

A quilt is composed of layers of fabric, with soft batting in between, pieced and sewn together in decorative patterns. Quilts with lighter batting, like our Summer-Weight Quilt, work well in warmer months when it’s too hot for a heavy quilt or comforter, but you still want a bed cover.

Coverlet

Coverlets are similar to quilts, but without the batting and the quilt’s signature thread lines. They’re often made using thicker materials and weaves, like matelassé, which give it a raised surface and a quilted appearance. Most often used as a decorative flourish, the coverlet also works well as a lightweight layer in summer months.

{{ Carousel |FEATURED PRODUCTS| down-comforter:6963819459:Our All-Season Down Comforter is warm, fluffy and lightweight. It’s hand-made in the Hutterite communities of Northwest Canada.\summer-weight-bed-blanket:9691577795:Remarkably lightweight and uber-soft, these quilts are the ultimate sleep companion.\classic-duvet-cover:28168369478:The crisp and cozy long-staple cotton gives the perfect balance of softness and breathability, for ultimate cool comfort.\brooklinen-throw-blanket:32289735558:Woven from Peruvian eco-friendly Alpaca, this blanket is soft, cuddly and perfect for year round lounging. }}

Now that we’ve covered all the definitions, what layers do you actually need?

Our recommendation for most months out of the year is a comforter + duvet cover combination (top sheet optional!) Even in the colder months, our comforters are commonly used instead of a blanket + top-sheet (so no more kicking your top-sheet down in the middle of the night).

When the temps start to rise, we’re big fans of replacing the comforter with a light quilt or coverlet. Which one you choose depends on the style you’re going for. A quilt brings a more traditional look to the bedroom, while coverlets, which tend to be thinner, are perfect for creating a more tailored, tucked-in vibe.