How Does a Duvet Cover Differ From a Blanket?

sage quilt cover with book resting on top

Getting a good night's sleep requires proper gear. In order to relax, you need to first be comfortable, right?

But there are so many types of bedding out there that it's getting confusing! Duvets, blankets, comforters, quilts... How to choose, what is what, which one is better?

Well, turns out it's actually not as complicated as it seems. Here, we'll tell you all you need to know about the differences between two bedding types: duvet vs. blanket.

What Is a Duvet?

A duvet is a type of bed covering usually filled with synthetic fibers or synthetic down, feathers, and sometimes a mix of both of these. Duvets are made from two segments: one is the duvet insert, and the other is the duvet cover. Duvets are also used interchangeably with quilts or the quilted blanket.

Duvets have a pillow-like design whose job is to trap heat and keep you warm at night without actually weighing too much.

Ok... What About the Duvet Cover?

Well, as the name says, the duvet cover is basically an encasement for your duvet. It has one open side, so you can easily remove it to change it and clean it, just like your pillows do.

Duvet covers are made from a lighter material, like cotton blends and bamboo, but they can also be thicker—say flannel, for example—to accommodate even the most cold-sensitive sleepers.

And What is a Duvet Insert?

A duvet insert is what goes inside the duvet. As I mentioned earlier, these can be natural feathers and down (usually from geese or ducks), it can be synthetic materials, or a mixture of both.

What Is a Blanket?

A blanket is a single-layer bed covering that is supposed to keep you warm during sleep. Blankets are usually made of wool, which is the perfect material for those cold autumn and winter days. But, it can also be made from synthetic fibers, acrylic, fleece, knitted polyester, cotton, and also down feathers.

Blankets are usually heavier than duvets and duvet covers because of the way they're woven. They're great insulators though, trapping heat and keeping you warm at night.

Some people like the heavier feeling of the blanket, and some prefer the lighter duvet. Although they have a similar function, duvets and blankets differ in the way they're constructed, in their filling, the thickness levels, and the materials used for their making.

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of using a duvet vs. using a blanket.

How to Choose a Duvet You'll Love

Choosing the right duvet set is just as important for your good night's sleep as is the linen, the pillows, and the mattress topper. So how can you choose something that fits you just right?

Well, it's important to have these two criteria in mind.

Pay Attention to the Material

Material is super important because it can protect you from allergies, night sweats, and dust mites.

Polyester-made duvet set is surely easy to clean, but it's made from synthetic fibers and lacks breathability.

That's why natural materials, such as bamboo cotton, reign supreme here. They ensure the bedding you're sleeping in is breathable, that it fits your body shape perfectly, and that you're protected from allergic reactions to harsh chemicals and sweat.

This is in regard to the duvet cover, but the same goes for the duvet filling. If possible, look for ones filled with duck, goose feather, down, or bamboo cotton.

Consider Your Sleeping Environment

The environment and climate you're sleeping in determine the type of material you choose for your bedding. Also, do you want to sleep feeling the weight of the covering on you? Or do you want something lighter and airy? Are you a hot sleeper, or sensitive to even the slightest breeze?

You have to consider all of this before getting the duvet of your dreams. If you want a heavier one, get a duvet with a higher fill weight. Or, if you're a hot sleeper, get a duvet for warmer climes.

Lastly the season in which you will be using the quilt and quilt cover in is also important. Check out our blog on why bamboo is a great winter quilt cover choice.

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