I have down duvets inside my duvet covers; on a daily basis, I just shake it and smooth it, not a big deal, most duvets are stitched in squares so you might want to avoid a duvet that would have vertical channels.

I like light weight duvets, as far as ounces go, that might make it easier also.

I keep my duvet (actually a lightweight down blanket) inside its cover folded in half at the bottom of the bed. I can pull it up if I need the extra warmth. Otherwise, it just keeps my feet extra warm and adds a pattern when the bed is made. I like the bed made up with all of the layers showing.

I also keep my duvet (w/ insert) folded at the bottom of my bed and use it in the same manner as Fun2BHere.

I keep the comforter inside he duvet cover, fluff it up everyday as I straighen the bed. It always looks nice. I purchased this duvet cover from Overstock.com, and it's wonderful. I got it on a sale, and paid only $83. Never wrinkles. I've had it quite awhile now, and it still looks like new. Make sure you get a duvet cover that is large enough to hold your comforter. Check the actual size, not just label size (ie: queen, king, etc). If not, you may have bunching..I've learned from experience. Our comforter is an oversize king, also purchased from Overstock, and the comforter cover was the largest they had. I wanted the comforter ,with duvet inside, to hang down on he sides of the bed.

Here is a link that might be useful: Oversize Duvet cover from Overstock.com

Ours is kept folded at the bottom of the bed, with a filler. I love the look. We have never covered with our "top cover", instead using sheets and blankets.

tina

I have a down comforter/duvet inside a duvet cover. It's folded at the foot of my bed and can be pulled up for extra warmth, but since I live in the south, it's mostly decorative. My bed is made with a white coverlet that has matching king shams. The patterned duvet cover matches the 3 euro shams. Every so often I give the comforter/duvet a good shake to redistribute the down.

I have a duvet cover that is stuffed with a down comforter and a down blanket--it's still getting pretty cold here at night and I need the warmth. If spring ever comes, eventually I'll take the comforter out and just use the down blanket. That'll last until the summer heat starts up. At that point, the duvet cover and content get cleaned and then put away and I use an old linen tablecloth as a bedspread.

I make up the bed with a flat sheet, a cotton blanket and then the duvet. There's a old, but still pretty comforter that's folded up at the foot of the bed to look nice and also for naps.

White duvet cover (like Joyce's) over a down-alternative comforter. I have a PB lightweight quilt (Hanna) that covers the bed during the day. At night it's folded at the foot of the bed and we use the comforter exclusively. The comforter is light in weight and perfect for year round use in the south.

I've always put my heavy down comforters into the duvet. They are decorative, but duvets are made to keep the comforter inside clean. Our bed looked like the pic posted by joyce, with a coverlet folded at the foot of the bed.

Recently, we've switched to a very light weight (almost summer weight) down comforter. It really isn't heavy enough to justify using a duvet. The new comforter acts more like a light blanket, and is sewn with a silk border on all four sides. At this point our bed consists of fitted and flat sheets, lightweight comforter, and the coverlet over that. That particular set up keeps me more than comfortable at night. Some nights I am throwing off even the lighter weight comforter.

Thanks to all of you for your input! I am thinking I may use mine across the bottom of the bed as well. I like the layered look too. If anybody would like to post pictures, please do. Joyce, I love your duvet and the way your bed fits just right under your windows! Natal, the Hanna quilt is one of my favorites. I actually prefer quilts and wish they carried my pattern in a quilt. Thanks again!

sis2two - I just peeked on the country curtains site and that Florentine pattern is so beautiful! Are you using it in the room that you have gray wisp?

Hi nutmegxo! Yes, I am using it in that room. I love to change up my bedding and I received the swatches last week. It looks really good with the gray wisp. I am going to put the duvet with the colebrook dust ruffle and the colebrook shams. Hope it looks good together!

My duvet(s) are used 3 seasons of the year. I have 2 different TOG weights of duvets for the beds and use them singly or combined in the covers -- depending on the season.

I use 100% cotton ivory/white washable duvet covers without a top sheet. The covers are washed as frequently as the sheets and pillowcases.

I'm originally from Europe. I think the duvet just moulds better around your body and warms more without the top sheets.
We don't have A/C, just fans, so I do remove and store duvets in the hottest summer months. Then I switch to sheets and a "removed at night" mattelasse coverlet for pretty.

Having said that, I like simplicity and don't want "fussy beds." Fluffing a duvet in the a.m. makes bed-making so simple.

I admit, I do sometimes look at the "dressed beds" on here with those multiple covers, shams, pillows, and dodads with envy. They look so pretty -- but just would not fit with my lifestyle and "simple" decorating style.

Cheen - I love the look of ivory and white all layered together..that is very dreamy to me!

sis2two - PLEASE post pics of the bedding in your room once you get it. I am in the process now of making choices for the Bella Notte pieces but now you have me interested in that Florentince pattern! I am wondering if it might look nice in my palladian blue room. I think I might be going to my local Counrty Curtains store to look at stuff in person.

I will post pictures once I get all of it in. The shams are on backorder. I bet the florentine pattern would look great in your room with your blue. The sample that I got looks so good in person. You definitely need to take a look at it.

It's good that people find innovative ways to use duvets. However as another European the notion of using a top sheet with a duvet is alien to me, as is using a duvet as something decorative left folded at the foot of the bed rather than as the sole means of staying warm in bed. (I think duvets make the most snuggly, warm beds of all.) In countries like Switzerland you see duvets hanging over balconies and from upper windows of homes and hotels etc. to 'air' in the fresh air and sunlight.
Also to us the 'duvet' is the down or down alternative quilt, the outer, decorative part is a 'duvet cover'.

I'm picky about how my sheets feel and never had a duvet cover that felt good enough to use without a top sheet - because I bought for the decor and not for comfort. But once I bought the velvet flannel duvet covers and sheets from Company store, I put away the top sheets and just use the duvet cover stuffed with a down comforter. It is heaven to have no top sheet- the coziest way to sleep ever. Last summer I couldn't go back to using a top sheet, so I put a down blanket inside the flannel cover and used it all summer. It's not hot at night here even in summer, so it worked probably 50 weeks out of the year.

The room was still a little bare when this picture was taken, but here is my bed with the duvet folded at the foot of the bed.

{{!gwi}}

Having grown up in Europe, I have always had duvet covers (imported them from Europe when they didn't have them in the US). I use different weight duvets (bought at IKEA) depending on the time of year; in summer just the duvet cover. I hate wrestling with a top sheet. However, I noticed that some duvet covers are really not meant to sleep under because they are too rough (some of PBs,for instance). I have a fair amount of duvet covers in a range of colors and designs because I change them like sheets. Frequently pick them up at IKEA or Homegoods now.