It’s a wonderful feeling to wake up in a comfortable bed, refreshed and full of energy to start the day. But it’s not always the case. An irregular sleep routine, stuffy air in the bedroom, and many other things can contribute to a sleepless night of tossing and turning. But have you ever given a thought about how your bedding contributes to the quality of your slumber?
A duvet and a duvet cover can highly improve your bedtime experience or completely ruin it, leaving you feeling too hot, too cold, and highly uncomfortable in any case. So picking the right bedding pieces is a responsible task and many find that to be intimidating. But we’re here to help and answer the key questions: what is a duvet and how is it different from a comforter, how to choose a duvet cover and why is linen duvet cover the best option for a good night’s sleep.
What is a duvet?
A duvet, also called a duvet insert, is one of the main pieces in your bed, that is used for covering yourself so you feel warm and comfortable. This bedding item is puffy and stuffed with feathers, down or other natural and synthetic materials. Oftentimes a duvet will be called a comforter, which is popular in some parts of the world. However, comforter differs from duvet in that it’s used alone, while duvet insert always goes together with a duvet cover.
What is a duvet cover?
A duvet cover is a piece of bed linen meant for covering the duvet insert and save it from staining or bacteria. Duvet covers are easy to wash and can be changed as often, as needed to keep your bedding crisp and fresh. And apart from being functional, it is also the decorative part of the bedding. That is why you can find them in many colors and prints as well as made from various materials, like cotton, polyester, satin, percale, linen, and more.
Many like to switch between light fabrics for summer and thicker, warmer ones for winter. However, here we are going to focus on linen duvet covers as they are perfectly comfortable all year round, are highly durable, soft to touch, and hold many other amazing properties that we are going to cover later. But before that, let’s begin with the basics.
Duvet vs. Comforter: Which one to choose?
So now we know what is what in bedding: a comforter usually stands alone and is used as it is while the duvet is inserted into a duvet cover as they are used only in tandem. But knowing the difference might still leave you wondering which option to go with. The short answer is that it probably depends on where you live. Some parts of the world, like the United Kingdom, for instance, prefer the combo of duvet insert and a duvet cover, while a comforter is preferred in other parts, like the United States. But let’s put these national preferences aside and look deeper into the qualities both of these bedding pieces have. Here, we gathered some of the main advantages and disadvantages of comforters and duvets to help you figure out which one may better meet your needs.
Comforter: pros and cons
With a comforter, you only need one item as no additional covers are required. Also, with this bedding piece, you are less flexible interior-wise, yet some stylish options are available to choose from, like our linen comforters for kids. These fluffy linen bedding pieces are easy to wash and will provide gentle care for your little one, as linen bedding is a great option for kids for many amazing reasons.
However, you will have less freedom for changing the bed looks and style - once you decide the color or print of a comforter, you stick with it. Also, the comforter is always in direct contact with dirt and bacteria, as no cover is used to protect it, which means the comforter will stain and build up bacteria inside much faster. Therefore, the comforter requires a more frequent washing than a duvet, and with some comforters only dry cleaning is allowed, meaning your bills might go up.
Duvet: pros and cons
Owning a duvet will open you up to more styling options. The duo of duvet insert and duvet cover is much more versatile in that you can easily change the cover depending on your liking and redesign your bedroom instantly. Also, there is no need to use a top sheet, as it is replaced by a duvet cover, meaning you will need fewer steps for making the bed. And with a duvet insert, it is much easier to maintain fresh bedding. The duvet stays clean for longer because of the duvet cover, which is easy to wash and change. It’s even better if you opt for a linen duvet cover as the linen has antistatic qualities, helping to ward off the dirt.
There are a couple of possible minor drawbacks. The first is that using a duvet requires an extra step when changing the bedding as you need to take off your old duvet cover and put on a new one. And the second is that duvets don’t always stay put inside the cover. Some duvet covers have special ties to keep the duvet insert in place. However, without the ties, the duvet may get misplaced inside the cover, requiring you to straighten it from time to time. But these two cons will not require much attention and time and to be frank, they are quite minor compared to the advantages the duvet cover has over the comforter. We have also prepared a simple and handy tutorial on how to put on a duvet cover in seconds to save you time and energy for… napping!
The advantages of a linen duvet cover
So whether you recently decided to go with a duvet or just want to update your duvet covers, the question still stands - what material to choose? Is there really a tangible difference between sleeping in cotton or linen bedding? And if yes, which one is the best?
Just like all bedding, nowadays duvet covers are available in a wide variety of different fabrics, like silk, several kinds of cotton, linen, and beyond. Synthetic fabrics are also commonly used, but here is a little word of advice: whatever you choose, steer clear of synthetic bedding. It is a cheaper option, but it will only leave you feeling too cold or too hot, and regretting the decision.
But speaking of natural fabrics, linen and cotton are at the top of the popularity list when it comes to bedding. Both of them are great choices - they are high-quality, low-maintenance, and soft to touch. However, there are several subtle, but highly important differences between the two of them, which we covered in our earlier blog article. All the nuances summed up, linen seems to outweigh the cotton with some outstanding properties it is gifted with. So let’s look at some ways linen is better for bedding than cotton.
- Linen is more durable than cotton.
Cotton may have more flexibility, but although a bit more rigid, linen will last longer. In fact, linen items were something that families would pass from generation to generation as it takes many years for linen to lose its qualities. It also has greater abrasion resistance, keeping it less susceptible to wearing and tearing.
- Linen is more breathable than cotton.
This is a quality your body will highly enjoy. Due to long, hollow fibers, the air can easily pass the fabric and circulate, providing you with comfort all night long. This also speaks of better moisture-wicking properties - linen dries much faster than cotton, which is superb quality for summer bedding.
- Linen has stronger thermoregulatory qualities than cotton.
Whether you’re a hot or cold sleeper, linen has you covered (literally and metaphorically). Compared to cotton, linen is a wonderful insulator, cooling you down or keeping you warm depending on the temperature.
- Linen is better for health compared to cotton.
Both of these fabrics have hypoallergenic properties, yet linen outruns the cotton. Because of loose weaves linen is less likely to trap dust, dirt, and bacteria. Moisture-wicking properties also make linen less prone to bacteria building up inside the fabric. So linen is an ideal choice for those who suffer from allergies or problematic skin.
How to select the perfect linen duvet cover?
So you decided to go for a linen duvet cover but are not sure how to choose the right for you? We can not give you a definite answer but we can point you in the right direction. There are several things you need to consider before buying a linen duvet, just like when buying any linen bedding.
Duvet cover sizes and measurements
The first and most obvious criterion is size. There are various duvet insert and duvet cover sizes available on the market, usually depending on the region. What you want to look for is a duvet cover that perfectly matches the size of your duvet insert. This way the bedding looks neat and also this prevents the duvet from sliding too much inside the cover. If you are also buying a duvet, opt for one that is at least slightly bigger than your mattress to make sure it covers your body fully and comfortably. It will also look much better when you make the bed. Then, choose your duvet cover size accordingly to your duvet.
Nonetheless, with so many options available, you may wonder how to know the right measurements. The best way to know is simply to take the measuring tape and figure out the length and width of your duvet insert. It may sometimes be written on the label of your duvet, but the most accurate way is to measure it yourself. Once you know the numbers, you may search for a duvet cover in the desired size. If you shop at Linen Tales, you can find a detailed size guide on each product page to help you out. Also, you can contact us at info@linentales.com or via our live chat and our team will happily assist you.
Here are standard US and EU linen duvet cover sizes you may want to know:
US
- Twin 65” x 87”
- Full 79” x 79”
- Queen 91” x 87”
- King 102” x 87”
EU
- Single 135 x 200 cm
- Double 200 x 200 cm
- King 240 x 220 cm
- Super King 260 x 220 cm
Finishing details of a linen duvet cover
Apart from size, you may also want to consider the closure of a linen duvet cover and whether it has corner ties to prevent the duvet from sliding inside the cover. Nowadays these bed linen pieces are usually available with zippers or buttons. While the first option may be slightly practical, we at Linen Tales offer our linen duvet covers with natural coconut shell buttons that are easy to button and unbutton and also adds a warm, homey look.
How to mix & match linen bedding for a stunning bedroom interior?
Isn’t it fun to do a room makeover? Especially when seasons change or we suddenly fall in love with a particular color or a trend. One amazing thing about a linen duvet cover is that it allows you to alter the bedroom interior as often, as you want with little effort and gives you the freedom to experiment by mixing and matching different linen bedding pieces. Whether you are buying your duvet cover separately or as a bed set with matching pillows, there are many ways how you can create different looks and moods using only bed linen.
Create a relaxing atmosphere
Because the bedroom is our peaceful oasis where we relax and unwind, one way to style it is by creating a calming and peaceful mood. Muted colors like our Blue Fog, Forest Green, or Pink Lavender are your best friends here. Style them with similar but lighter or darker shades to add depth and variety and enjoy! Pro tip: avoid creating contrasts or using bright colors. To give you a head start, here are 4 bedding style ideas you can easily recreate in your bedroom
Get inspired by trends
Trends may come and go, but it’s definitely worth browsing through them as they are a great source of inspiration. Home interior design trends for 2021 are mostly about bringing the outdoors indoors and embracing natural materials and down-to-earth colors. Here are some ideas you can recreate:
- To style an up-to-date trendy bedroom interior, inspired by the Scandinavian and Japanese minimalistic style, opt for a duvet cover in a soft shade of grey, mix it with lighter grey and finish with darker grey or melange color linen pillowcases. Choose a white linen sheet for a clean look.
- For a calm and grounding atmosphere, go for warm nature-inspired colors that range from brighter Almond and Cafe Creme to softer Melange. One way to style them is to opt for a Cafe Creme duvet cover and pillowcases, mix with a white linen sheet and throw in several pillows and cushions in Melange, Natural and White.
- Play around with greenery by going for a Forest Green bedding set and White or Blue Fog linen sheet and incorporating some leafy plants around the bed.
Devoted to a style
Just like all linen bedding, linen duvet covers are highly versatile and may easily find their place in any interior style-wise. If you lean towards a certain style or mood yourself, here are a few tips on how to choose your linen sheets accordingly:
- For a classic bedroom interior, go with all white bedding or choose rich, sumptuous colors, like or Forest Green, Blue Fog, and Ashes of Roses.
- For a modern interior that leans toward Scandinavian style, choose white, grey, and natural color bedding. A black-and-white stripe bedding would highly elevate the whole bedscape, too. As all these shades go together very well, you can freely mix-and-match different-colored linen duvet covers, pillowcases, and sheets. Finish with a soft blanket for extra coziness.
- For a bright modern bedroom mix-and-match juicy shades, like our Navy or Almond. Go for single-colored bedding if you want to make the bed a centerpiece of the room. Or use white bedding and add only bright duvet cover or pillowcases for a spectacular pop of color.
Pro tip: white bedding goes well by itself or with any other color and looks good in any interior. Also, do not be afraid to incorporate additional pillows, cushions and cozy blankets like a fluffy linen waffle throw for a variety and texture.
Final word
When it comes to bedding, there is no single correct answer for what to choose, as long as the bedding gives you comfort and provides you with a good night’s sleep. However, opting for a duvet insert and a linen duvet cover has many advantages, including health and sleep benefits as well, as the freedom to easily transform your bedroom.
So if you decided to try a linen duvet cover or simply want to update your bedding with new colors, feel free to browse our cloud-like, hand-made natural linen bedding.
FAQ
- How to wash linen duvet cover?
Wash your linen duvet cover following these simple steps:
- Always wash with similar colors.
- Machine wash or handwash in up to 40 oC / 100 oF water.
- Use mild detergent and fabric softener. Oxygen-based bleach can also be used for white linen.
- Use tumble drying or simply line dry.
- Can you bleach linen duvet cover?