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POLL: Duvet or Comforter?

3 years ago


Narcissus II · More Info


We spend half our lives sleeping so comfortable bedding is key. Are you a comforter or duvet person?


VOTE and tell us about it in the comments!


Duvet, all the way!
I'm a comforter lover!
Other, tell us below!

Comments (90)

  • 3 years ago

    I love matelassé coverlets. They’re lightweight, simple & elegant. I have lived in warm weather climates (CA. & FL.) and they’re the perfect weight for those climates. Their simplicity goes with any decor & can be dressed up or down with decorative pillows

  • 3 years ago

    Lightweight duvet with cotton duvet cover at home. A down filled blanket at the cottage. I do have a couple new synthetic duvets in the guest rooms that are very nice and seem to be less hot as we are in Fla. ; also lightweight.

  • 3 years ago

    There are people who can wrestle an alligator, and there are people who can wrestle a duvet cover onto a duvet. i am neither, and I find comforters to be bulky. All the beds in my house have quilts and blankets on them.

  • 3 years ago

    I’m allergic to feathers, my husband allergic to wool. Also our apartment size washer can’t handle large blankets. So we use layers of thin polar fleece blankets depending on the season.

  • 3 years ago

    Down comforters with cotton duvets here. We do the same thing on all three beds in the house - heavy comforter for winter, lightweight one for summer. Now that we’re back in the NW, we may get a heated matress pad for our bed as well - we loved the one we hd when we lived in Seattle.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Hahahaha! I thought of this thread when I got up in the middle of the night because I was freezing. And I had flannel sheets, two blankets (one mid-weight, one lightweight), a somewhat heavy bedspread and two Hudson Bay wool blankets doubled over on the bed. But I could not warm up so I got up and added four more blankets, all of them doubled over. I almost added a couple of bathsheets but didn't. That finally did it. I got warm. I love the heavy feel of the coverings but it is hard as hell to turn over under them or even move them out of the way to get out of bed.

    I live in southern-central coastal California, Santa Barbara.

  • 3 years ago

    I used to live in Santa Barbara as well. The great thing about an all down (not a feather and down mix) comforter is that it perfectly holds and regulates your body temperature while being lightweight. It's like sleeping in a heavenly cloud. I use a goose down comforter. I've had my comforters for over 20 years. At the beginning of each season, I throw them in the dryer with some dryer balls to fluff and refresh them.

  • 3 years ago

    duvet all the way. you can keep the comforter forever and swap out the cover whenever you need a change. even my summer blanket is a duvet -- a "cooling" comforter with a cotton cover.

  • 3 years ago

    I currently use white quilt summer and winter, but cover it with an empty duvet in winter. I use the duvet like a bedspread. And if it gets really cold, I add an extra blanket at the foot of the bed to pull up if needed.

  • 3 years ago

    My bedding layers: sheet, fleece banket and then matelasse bedspread. High cotton thread sheets in the warmer months and flannel sheets in cooler months.

  • 3 years ago

    Quilt folded at the end of the bed. Cotton percale sheets and light blanket if needed. Even in CA...the northern part, it can get very chilly in the winter. My saving grace is Sunbeam Fleece sheets in the winter! We love them :)

  • 3 years ago

    Duvet with down comforter in the winter. A quilt in the summer. Eastern North Carolina— wash the duvet cover late spring and bring it back when the weather starts turning.

  • 3 years ago

    Why do I gotta buy a blanket for my blanket

  • 3 years ago

    Aphaea—I think you may need your internal thermostat checked!

  • 3 years ago

    Christy
    Duvet every day…down alternative comforter or all cotton comforter then add an all
    Cotton duvet cover.
    I wash the duvet cover, line dry(I am old fashioned but it keeps the duvet cover crisp and new), then iron it. Yes I do!
    Like a five star hotel when I climb in at night and the freshness lasts all week…can flip filled duvet over for another week. I live in upstate NY and we need that comforter all year around. If it ever gets warm enough I will pull out my cotton bedspreads and flat sheet at night. Always fold a quality blanket at the foot when making your bed and cotton, cotton everything.

    Extra fluff in your duvet? Fill it with two comforters…

  • 3 years ago

    Comforters and quilts . Wish bedskirts would actually fit.

  • 3 years ago

    "Wish bedskirts would actually fit."

    Ha! No kidding! On the advice of my realtor, I bought bedskirts for showing my home before sale, and I had to actually cut and duct tape them into place so that they would fit properly and stay there.

  • 3 years ago

    I use bedskirts in all the bedrooms….whether duvet or bedspread, I don’t want to see the boxspring under the mattress

  • 3 years ago

    Quilt. Made by me or someone I know.

  • 3 years ago

    @Connie Elaine’s Draperies Would you share the information about your coverlet? It is lovely.

  • PRO
    3 years ago

    @ Lizzie Borden thank you! I actually ordered it online. I did a lot of searching because I needed a specific size due to drop. I needed the bedspread type effect because I have an adjustable base, so unable to do bedskirts of any kind. Kohl's appears to still carry this, but you may need to google Regina bedding to find the complete ensemble.

    https://www.kohls.com/product/prd-3305438/levtex-regina-quilt.jsp?skuid=33616194&CID=shopping15&utm_campaign=QUILTS%20%26%20BEDSPREADS&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=google&utm_product=33616194&utm_campaignid=9733267330&gclid=CjwKCAiAtouOBhA6EiwA2nLKH3jxYi1GeqfUU0vdqKMd7pe9Guf9gsYbggk6fef76RUXJLJZdRgo0BoCoEkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

  • 3 years ago

    In cooler months, I use a duvet cover on my down comforter so I can wash the cover every week or two to keep my bed as fresh and dust free as possible. In the warmer part of the year, I use a washable, lightweight cover.

  • 3 years ago
    • If you have a definite preference about where your coverlet / quilt / duvet / bedspread should fall (to the floor, to the end of the mattress, etc.) always be sure to check the measurements. Pictures always seem to show the covering to go to the floor like the one Connie Elaine's Draperies linked to in her post. However, when you read the sizing specifications, you see the kind sized is only 106" x 92". The bed they are no doubt showing it on in the picture is either a much smaller bed, perhaps a double, or the covering is draped fully over one side and has nothing on the other. It would barely cover only the mattress on a king--and how much of that would depend on the depth of the mattress. (Another photo trick is to turn down the covering so it does not go up to the head of the bed but is instead about 1/4 of the way down and an insane number of decorative pillows fills in the uncovered (sheets only) space. It annoys me no end that manufacturers pull this deception.
  • 3 years ago

    Down filled duvets are the best: a thick one for winter, and a thin one for summer months. (I live in the San Francisco bay area.) I love the warmth and the light weight, especially important after foot surgeries that leave my toes hypersensitive to weighty blankets. And I never have to use a top sheet-- just a freshly laundered duvet cover. I also love them because it's much quicker to make the bed!

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    We have a down comforter (with no cover) that is layered above the top sheet and underneath an Eileen Fisher Rippled Coverlet on top. I love down comforters (or down alternatives) for their warmth and weight, but find removing/ replacing the covers VERY cumbersome.

    My daughter uses a comforter (with duvet cover), but uses a top sheet under it to minimize having to wash the cover.

    I got a comforter with cover to use as the top layer for our guest bed, and wash the cover after each guest. I absolutely dread having to put it back on because it's such a hassle. It doesn't quite fit-- the cover is longer than the comforter itself (even though both are "queen" size). Without ties where the top of the insert reaches the cover, it doesn't stay put very well. I suppose I should add ties at the point where insert reaches the cover, but I haven't done that yet. Or I suppose I could shorten the cover so there isn't the extra empty material at the top.

  • 3 years ago

    Seems to me people are confusing duvets with quilts

    A duvet is the pillow case if you will that covers a comforter.

    Also… nix all bed skirts.
    Out of date. Out of fashion.

    All about platform beds.

    If you need a box spring and want to cover it put on a pretty fitted sheet on the box spring.
    See if that works!

  • 3 years ago

    A bed skirt is not to cover the box spring, so a "platform bed" won't change affect the need for one -- bedskirts are to cover the space under the bed.

  • 3 years ago

    Try putting a king comforter with a king duvet cover on a queen size bed. If the bed frame is high the king will drape nicely for a fuller affect. Try this with any bed size…. Go up one size for the quilts/duvets.
    Always use two pillows per side and please please don’t forget the COTTON pillow protectors! I find good ones at Marshall’s or TJMAXX.

    One more thing…
    Fitted sheets are often too big…they shift and are not taught

    Try Calvin Klein fitted sheets, cotton. They have an underwear elastic hem…genius.

  • 3 years ago

    Would have been a good idea to include definitions for this poll.


    To me, a duvet is the down or sythnthetic-down comforter and can be used with a duvet cover (like a pillow case.)


    I went to this article: "Duvet vs Comforter vs Duvet Cover: What Are They?" https://icelandicdown.com/blog/2019/06/06/duvet-vs-comforter/

  • 3 years ago

    My preference is for something that fits properly!! I'm frustated by the sizes of comforters. "Full/queen" is bound to fit one or the other, but not both. Never quite long enough for queen, in my experience. The best fit I've had in years was a PB quilted washable silk that I bought in king-sized for a queen. For a new twin bed in a small guest room, I brought home three, in hopes that one would work. All three were different sizes.


    Like others here, I am frustrated with the sizing of bedskirts. I like them, especially those that are made of a heavier fabric as opposed to sheeting. I don't like having to find someone to hem them to the right length.


    I'm starting to think it is time to spring for custom-made bedding.




  • 3 years ago

    Duvet in Summer Comforter in winter

  • 3 years ago

    Layers. Hot and humid in summer and no AC. Freezing in winter, as I sleep with window open.

    So it varies, from a just a duvet cover with no duvet in it, in August, to down comforter with quilt on top and another blanket on top of that if it’s really cold. Which would be Feb. And everything in between. I have half a dozen quilts of various weights.

    No bed skirts. Nice to hear it’s out of fashion lol.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    A big, fluffy down duvet/comforter in the winter with a velvet coverlet thrown over the top or just a quilt/coverlet in warmer weather.

  • 3 years ago

    Again people…..
    In France…
    Hopefully in the US NOW….

    A duvet is the cover for a comforter.

    Check it out on google.

    A quilt or comforter is NOT A duvet. Period

  • 3 years ago

    I did look it up, and a duvet and comforter are the same thing. A duvet cover is the cover for a comforter. Also the cover for a duvet ;)

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Quilt or coverlet all year round, add an electric blanket in cooler months (October to May here in Wisconsin). Like someone else posted, I wish quilted bedspreads were still popular.

  • 3 years ago

    duvet
    [ doo-vey, dyoo- ]

    noun a usually down-filled quilt, often with a removable cover; comforter.

  • 3 years ago

    Flannel sheets, comforter, a crocheted blanket, (which I made) and a fleece throw if really cold. No HVAC. in house, wood burning stoves. And I live in Ca. Sierra's.


  • 3 years ago

    SO much healthier to sleep in a cool room.

    Flannel sheets, waffle weave blanket, cotton quilt, light weight duvet with linen duvet cover. Layers beautifully and you can snuggle down under it all or fold a layer back. Honestly, we set the night time temp in the winter to 62 degrees, but we were so snuggly in the bed we were not getting up on time so we moved it back up to 65 degrees.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    Duvet+duvet covers for versatility. I like to switch out my bedding/decor (no, I DON'T want just plain neutral bedding) and don't want 5 different decorative comforters taking up room in my tiny linen closet. In warmer weather I do use a light blanket or quilt. And a duvet is, traditionally, a down "comforter" which is usually used with a removable envelope or cover.

  • 3 years ago

    Comforters go inside of duvets (in cooler months), so it is not an either or question. And avoid electric blankets as they are extremely unhealthy. Go all cotton, wool or down whatever you do - and avoid acrylic, polyester and other synthetics. Personally, I change my bed cover every few weeks and wash the one I remove (cat hair and dust is there even if cannot be seen). I have many options for bed covers - some cotton knit old-fashioned bedspreads, cotton duvet covers (plain in summer, down comforter inside in winter), and quilts - many options to swap out while I wash the one removed. All are either white or pink (all within same color range as I of course do not change the painted walls when changing bed covers).

  • 3 years ago

    Again - comforters go inside of duvets, so this is a silly redundant question. And duvet covers can be used w/o the comforter inside. But comforters best used with a duvet cover so they do not have to be washed and worn out.

  • 3 years ago
    last modified: 3 years ago

    It depends on the season. Here in S Africa our winter temps are quite manageable across most of the country.

    Currently living in Durban, we have a medium weight duvet for cooler weather, and a lightweight quilt for the rest of the year. A couple of fleece blankets for backup at any time of the year.

    We've learned to sleep in top of the fleece blanket if its really cold.

  • 3 years ago

    I only like the tailored look of modern quilts or coverlets ( same ? ) mine are from Restoration Hardware, not cheap, but last forever In my experience.

  • 3 years ago

    In the winter, I like using a feather bed on top of my mattress, with a down duvet to sleep under.

  • 3 years ago

    I never used a duvet until recent years and I LOVE them. My parents always had comforters and they're always hot and hard to wash. Duvets are wonderful! I can use the duvet with cover in winter for warmth and then the cover by itself in summer. I don't have air conditioning so I can't have super fluffy blankets all year round. I love how easy it is to wash the duvet cover too.

  • 3 years ago

    I find duvet covers cumbersome and comforters difficult to clean. I always opt for a lightweight down alternative blanket (easy to wash) and a modern quilt/coverlet on top. That way depending on the temp of the room you can get just the right warmth and everything is easy to fit in the washer/dryer. Kind of like layering clothes.

  • 3 years ago

    I'm a quilter so we do not use comforters or duvets on our bed! Instead, quilts that I have made for my bed. I will tell you a secret--I use the best cotton batting available and we find that the quilts that I make keep us as warm at night as a comforter without the bulk!

  • 3 years ago

    I love down comforters. they are just warm cozy and comfy. you don't want to have to wash them often so a duvet cover is the answer. you can change color and style as often as you want without having to change the down. in the winter I have the duvet with a quilt folded at the foot of the bed if I need extra warmth and in summer I change things so the duvet is folded at the foot if needed. then you just have to reach down and pull it up

  • 3 years ago

    Apparently in the US duvet stands for the duvet cover in some circles. So some of us will be speaking of the cover for the duvet when we say duvet and some of us will be speaking of the insert for the duvet cover when we say duvet. Either way is correct.


    A down and or feather filled and or synthetic filled fluffy comforter in Danish a called a dyne. The word dyne means feather or down.


    The word for the duvet cover in Danish is called a dynebetraek.


    The duvet came from China originally according to Wiki during Viking times.


    In most of Europe and England the word duvet is the insert for a comforter cover/ duvet cover. It is a fluffier comforter.


    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duvet#:~:text=a%20top%20sheet.-,History,though%20not%20by%20their%20courtiers.