What is the Difference Between a Duvet and a Comforter?

From the lavish manors of European elites in the 16th century, straight to the heart of our bedrooms in the modern day. This simple piece of bedding has stood the test of time when it comes to bringing us comfort.

We are of course talking about the luxurious duvet cover! While many of us here love our comforters, we want to expand your bedding horizons with this European classic to give you the best chance at total relaxation.

So, let’s look at what a duvet is, what a duvet cover is, as well as explore a few of the differences between a duvet and comforter.

What is a duvet?

A duvet is made up of fabric filled with stuffing – typically synthetic, duck, or goose feather filling – which is then sewn shut around the edges to keep it neat and tidy. You use a duvet to cover yourself while you snooze, keeping your bedroom as cozy as possible all through the night. 

As we just touched upon, you can get duvets with different fillings. Synthetic stuffing is great for anyone with allergies, while a duck or goose feather filling is designed for extra warmth and comfort in the fall and winter months. 

And, almost like a type of filling itself, you typically put a duvet inside a duvet cover. But what is a duvet cover and why bother using one? Well, let us explain.

What is a duvet cover?

A duvet cover is a thin sheet of fabric that comes in various colors, styles, and fabrics too. This is perfect for the fashionista who likes to chop and change, but also ideal for making sure you have the right covering for different types of weather.

For example, in terms of style, you can get a fresh green-edged duvet cover for spring and a crisp white duvet cover for winter. But there’s nothing stopping you from getting a spooky, midnight sky chic, black duvet cover for Halloween too. With duvet covers, you can do it all!

And you can use different duvet covers to match the seasons as well. For warmer weather, you can use a thinner, 200 thread count duvet cover to keep cool. While for those cooler climates, a thicker 400 thread count will keep you snug as you cozily dream the night away.

What’s more, using a duvet cover means you get longer use from your duvet too, and you don’t need to wash it as often. A duvet cover protects your duvet from dust, pet hair, and those accidental spillages, keeping that DUSK luxury comfort going for just a bit longer. 

What is a comforter?

Most of us use these already, but for those who aren’t so sure what a comforter is, let’s take a look at this bedding alternative.  

A comforter is a single piece of quilted bedding, with filling already inside, which is stitched into different sections to keep it all evenly distributed. This means a comforter is ready to use as soon as you bring it home! 

Some people like to use a comforter with a flat sheet, laying this over the bed first and the comforter on top. This combo is perfect in winter to add a bit more protection from the harsh temperatures, but the comforter also helps retain the softness of a flat sheet too.

You can use a comforter on its own though, and many people do. Simply lay it on your bed, arrange your pillows, and let the comfort begin!

What is the difference between a duvet and a comforter?

Now we know what a duvet is, and we’ve reminded ourselves what a comforter is too, you might be wondering what the actual difference between a duvet and a comforter is.

Well, while you wouldn’t typically use a duvet cover by itself – though some Brits do in summer to stay cool at night – a comforter is designed for use by itself. But that can’t be the only difference, right? 

Correct! Comforters are usually larger too, designed to drape over the sides of your bed, all the way to the floor, to give you maximum cover. For comparison, a duvet cover size is designed to fit perfectly to the mattress for a clean and fluffy look to your bed, one that still keeps you warm as you snooze. 

But let’s take a look at the key differences between a duvet and a comforter in our handy little table, below:

So, can I put a comforter in a duvet cover?

Like the sound of a duvet cover for that added level of luxury but aren’t sure you can part ways with your beloved comforter? Well, good news – you don’t need to!

You can put a comforter in a duvet cover too. Just as a comforter adds a bit of protection to a flat sheet, you can use a duvet cover to add more protection to your comforter, maintaining that fresh hotel sheet feeling for a bit longer. 

Adding more layers to your bedspread is a great tip for cooler climates too, keeping the heat locked in all night long. Then when it comes to bedtime, the candles are lit, and the relaxing tunes are humming away in the background, you can slip into the warm embrace of a snug bedspread – ahh.

So, now you know all about the difference between a duvet and comforter. But are you unsure what size duvet cover is right for your duvet or perhaps you want to know what the best duvet cover fabric is? Head over to our inspiration page for help. Or, if you’re ready to start shopping, browse our high end bedding collection!