What Is a Duvet Cover 2023, According to Bedding Experts

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Get familiar with the bedding basic.

A well-made bed has many layers: flat sheet, fitted sheet, at least four pillows, a cozy duvet or comforter, and a luxurious duvet cover. But what is a duvet cover—and do you actually need one? While the name seems self-explanatory, there's more than meets the eye to this bedding essential. Besides, your sleep space is only as dreamy as each one of its layers. To get the lowdown on what a duvet cover is, the best duvet cover materials and features, and what to look for when shopping for one, we consulted three bedding experts: Buffy cofounder Leo Wang, Brooklinen designer Ruthie Osswald, and Parachute chief creative officer Amy Hoban. Read on to get an explanation of what is a duvet cover and shop some House Beautiful editor favorites.

As the name suggests, a duvet cover is just that: a cover for your duvet. A duvet can best be described as a soft flat bag filled with down, feathers, wool, cotton, silk, or a combination of those materials. It's also sometimes called an insert or a comforter (more on that in a second). Duvets typically are white or off-white as opposed to a solid color or print. While comfortable on its own, the surface material of a duvet usually isn't the most comfortable or attractive. And due to its bulk, a duvet can be quite hard to clean. Enter the duvet cover.

"Duvet covers can be easily removed, making them easier to wash and allowing for more design versatility," Hoban explains. "You can change your duvet cover with the seasons or when you want a different look in your room."

Duvet covers come in a variety of materials like cotton, bamboo, eucalyptus, linen, and more. They're also beneficial for prolonging the life of the insert.

"The main function of a duvet cover is to protect your comforter or duvet insert from the daily wear and tear of sleeping," Osswald says. "You want to have a barrier between you and your comforter to ensure body oils do not reach the surface of the comforter."

Both comforters and duvets are filled inserts that go inside a duvet cover. Sometimes the words duvet and comforter are used interchangeably. However, comforter can also be used to describe a thick quilted bed blanket that's a solid color or a print. This kind of comforter tends to be thinner than a duvet and is often machine washable. An old-school bed-in-a-bag set typically comes with a decorative comforter filled with polyester—no duvet cover necessary.

Short answer, yes! We get a lot done in bed, from working (don't tell anyone) to hobbies to watching our favorite shows. Bedding definitely should be changed regularly, but you don't want to buy new pillows or a new duvet insert every year. Duvet covers are an important part of protecting your investment. Wang says, "Just like a mattress, duvets themselves aren't designed to be washed regularly. But just like a fitted sheet, duvet covers are designed to be washed regularly. They can be stripped off the duvet and tossed in the washing machine, then dried in the dryer."

Osswald recommends duvet covers for everyone but especially those prone to allergies. "Duvet covers are an essential part of your bedscape," Osswald explains. "A duvet cover will result in overall better sleep hygiene and fewer allergens from a down or down alternative insert."

According to Wang, the best duvet cover for hot sleepers is linen, hemp, or eucalyptus. "Traditional materials like linen and hemp are known to have thermostatic properties, to be breathable and to wick away moisture," he says. "But modern textiles like eucalyptus are research backed to remove moisture even faster."

The worst duvet covets for hot sleepers are non-natural ones like microfiber, jersey, and polyester since they trap heat. Says Wang, "Both are ultimately petroleum derivatives (i.e., terrible for you and the planet) and literally engineered as insulation materials. Not ideal if you're trying to be less hot."

If you're a cold sleeper, Wang recommends layering up. Unfortunately, that's not beneficial if you're prone to hot flashes or sweating once you fall asleep. So rather than cotton or percale, he says the best duvet covers for cold sleepers are flannel or wool. "Both are designed to keep you warm without trapping moisture," Wang continues. "So you're not clammy or sweaty underneath."

Sleep preferences and personal favorites aside, our bedding experts agree on two things every duvet cover should have. Ties at each of the inner corners are essential; they ensure the duvet insert doesn't bunch up on one side. The experts also agree that a good duvet cover should be as soft and durable as your sheets. Don't compromise just because it's a larger piece.

Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.

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