Bedding Guide

What is a Duvet?

A duvet is made from cloth sewn to form a large bag, then filled with down or other soft materials. A duvet is used as the top layer of bedding to keep the sleeper warm as they rest.

It has become a little harder to define duvet because some use the word interchangeably with comforter. In fact, some dictionaries include the word comforter in the entry, as a synonym. But in fact, the two pieces of bedding are not the same.

The word duvet comes from the french for down, and down is still a very popular filling for duvets. Today, you can still find duvets filled with down as well as other natural choices such as wool or feathers. Alternatively, synthetic fiber duvets offer a hypoallergenic duvet option.

What is a Duvet Cover?

A duvet cover is a protective sleeve that covers your duvet, much like a pillowcase on your pillow. In addition to protecting the duvet, it allows you to easily change the look of your bedding, without having to replace the entire duvet. Duvet covers are easily cleaned, and compact for storage.

Some skip the top sheet when making a bed with a duvet, because the duvet cover acts much the same way as a sheet. This is common practice in Europe, where duvets are heavily favored. If you’ve heard someone say they sleep European, this is what they mean!



The Difference Between Cotton and Cotton Sateen

Sateen -- a term that defines the type of weave in fabric -- has a softer, silkier feel as compared to cotton sheets made from a plain or standard weave. But, while sateen sheets may feel softer to the touch, they don't have the lifespan that plain weaves offer. When you're buying sheets, look at the type of cotton, thread count, the fabric weave, and ultimately, what feels best against your skin