Quilt Duvet Comforter 101
Posted by Layla Vu Becker on
Quilt or Duvet or Comforter: What’s in a Name?
The terms quilt, duvet and comforter can be vague and are sometimes used interchangeably. Here’s the nuanced break down:
A quilt… is one whole piece made from 3 layers: top, inner batting and bottom. The quilter stitches through three layers, creating familiar quilted look of this very old art form. typically a thick, quilted blanket with layers of batting or fill inside. It is meant to be used as a layer over a top (flat) sheet and sometimes even under another blanket. Today, inexpensive quilts are generally made with sewing machines, not quilted by hand and made from cotton or cotton blends.
A duvet… is, generally speaking, a casing filled with down or a synthetic material; it’s sometimes quilted or stitched to keep the filling evenly distributed. It is meant to be used inside a duvet cover as the entire bed covering.
A duvet cover... protect your expensive duvet from dirt and body soil and easily removed for laundering. The duvet is general much more to clean, so duvet cover can be clean more easily. In addition, cover is less expensive and easy to change, you can swap them out seasonally with different colors and patterns.
A comforter... is similar to quilt with 3 thicker layers sewn through or quilted to keep the batting in place, also designed to thrown on top of your sheets or used as bed layer. A comforter's stitching is not ornately patterned. They are mostly basic plain color white or ivory. You will find comforters sold as a set with matching shams.
A Bedspread or coverlet... is single layer bedding topper that cover the entire bed right down to the floor and often cover the pillows as well. They have elaborate decorative embellishments such as pompom, lace, corduroy or chenille finishes or fringe bottom edges...They are mostly decorative and light weight, suitable for summer use or lay over a blanket in cooler nights.
Duvets vs. Comforters: Pros and Cons
They are both used as bed toppers. You put them to the top of the bed to keep you warm. Comforter stand alone while Duvet is designed to be used inside of removable duvet cover. Duvet is meant to be used as an insert, like pillow to your pillowcases.
Duvets are great option for someone who regularly changes up their room's decor and less expensive. Simply just buy a new duvet cover if you want a new look and feel. They are also easier to care for because they don't need to be washed all the time, and protected by a cover.
Comforters don't have the same versatility but they can be a little less fussy. Duvet inserts when not properly tied have a tendency to bunch up inside the duvet cover. It requires a little finessing to change covers in the bed-making process
Quilts vs Comforters
Quilts and Comforter are all constructed of 3 layers with batting sandwiched in between. Quilts are lighter than comforters so they can be used as decorative throw on sofa or in bed while comforter is used in bedroom mostly.
Quilt features more elaborate flamboyant designs than comforter and usually paired with other pieces of bedding.
A comforter is softer and puffier and often filled with cozy material such as down or down synthetic, while the quilt is for hotter nights and often made from cotton or cotton blend.
Who should pick the quilt?
- Hot sleepers. People who sleep hot and want something light to give them joust a bit of insulation will most likely prefer a quilt. Quilts are thinner than comforters and shouldn't make sleepers overheat so much.
- Those who want to change look of their bed. Quilts can be very stylish and can add a much different look to any bed or bedroom. A quilt can provide a new rustic look or just something more colorful to liven up your bedroom.
- Fans of layers. To get enough warmth, q quilt will most likely need to be paired with another quilt or other types of bedding. This might not be a drawback for those who prefer to sleep under numerous layers.
Who should pick the comforter?
- People who need bedding for colder nights. As I said above, comforters are usually warmer than quilts, so they should be better match for those colder nights and colder months. The larger amounts of insulating fill should keep most sleepers warmer at night.
- Those who want something fluffy and cloudlike. If sleeping underneath a big cloud sounds preferable, a comforter is probably the way to go. Most comforters are going to be fluffier than quilts, so they will offer that fluffy sleeping experience.
- Those who want something to use by itself. While quilts usually need to paired with another bedding items to enough warmth, a comforter does not need other bedding, save on a top sheet. If people want a simpler, non-layered, they can try a comforter.
Fun Facts
A duvet is a term that hails from France, means comforter cover technically-but here in the US, it is used synonymously with comforter
3 Ways to Style a Quilted Duvet
Style #1: Choose a quilt as a base and layer the throw or twin size duvet at the end of your bed. Not only does fluffing it on the end of your bed make it easier to grab on a chilly night. It makes the bed look so inviting and comfy! You can use
It is suggested to choose a bold and interesting color that matches your bedroom interior designs. Luala Silk has extensive rich and gorgeous silk color palette, check it out here
Style #2:
Get this look by spreading your duvet on top of your bed over your top sheet. Fold the quilt over as the Style #1, then finish with a twin size quilt at the foot of the bed. And layer a throw on top of the duvet for even more of a cozy look! This is perfect look for cold nights or for the one who likes to sleep warm.
To maximize the look, finish with our accent silk velvet shams
Style #3:
Spreading your quilted duvet on top of your bed over your top sheet. You can use our silk flat sheet and fold both your top sheet and the quilt over. Lay a fun throw about 3/4 of the way down for a little softness.
Style #4: To clean simple and real clean tailored look, spread your quilted silk duvet over the whole bed, top up the bed sheet. Preferably use silk fitted sheet to cover the box springs. Either way, you can tuck silk flat sheet edges under the mattress so they are hidden. Bundling the duvet with matching silk sheet set is a good idea for a complete modern and minimal bedroom look.
Style #5: Style them as a duvet coverlet. This is the easiest way to add impact and texture to your white duvet or comforter. Pump up with our vibrant colors of silk velvet and different hand quilting patterns. You can use them as a decorative layer for your bed, place them either across the bed or at the bed foot
Which duvet or duvet cover should I buy
Depending on the usage, you can determine which type of duvet and duvet cover best suits your bedroom and your need.
Luala Silk custom bedding is versatile enough to work with any kind of lifestyle and aesthetic, home interior design styles whether modern, contemporary, eclectic, boho chic, French country side, or Hollywood regency...
You can read more about our Luala Silk Fabric Options or browse our silk duvet collection to find one that is right for you
They are both used as bed toppers but comforter stand alone. Duvets are designed to be used inside of removable duvet covers.
Duvets are great option for someone who regularly changes up their room's decor and less expensive. Simply just buy a new duvet cover if you want a new look and feel. They are also easier to care for because they don't need to be washed all the time, and protected by a cover.
Comforters don't have the same versatility but they can be a little less fussy. Duvet inserts when not properly tied have a tendency to bunch up inside the duvet cover. It requires a little finessing to change covers in the bed-making process.