Buying Guide: Duvet Covers

Buying bedding can be an overwhelming process. There are so many different options to choose from, depending on what you’re after. Duvet covers serve both a practical, and aesthetic purpose - and they’re super easy to take care of.

A duvet cover is what slips over the duvet inner and serves as the most protective and visible part of your bedding. Duvet covers are generally more practical and breathable than other bedding options, like a quilt. After reading this blog, you’ll have the tools to buy the right duvet cover for you.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Benefits of a duvet cover

Added warmth

Duvet covers come in different materials and thicknesses. Deciding what kind of cover you need should factor in the climate where you live. If your bedroom gets really cold in winter, a thicker duvet cover can help to trap heat beneath your duvet to keep you warm. However, if you live in warmer temperatures, you don’t want to be sweating through summer with a big, heavy duvet cover.

Covers can also provide breathability and help to cool you down while you sleep. The temperature of your body can significantly affect your sleep quality, so choosing the right duvet cover is essential.

Duvet inners can be inconvenient to clean, as some are thick and can’t be washed in your washing machine at home. Cleaning a duvet inner can also be an extremely time-consuming task.

Buying a duvet cover means you won’t need to worry about cleaning your duvet inner as often. Yes, you will still have to clean it, but definitely not as regularly. A duvet cover is much easier to clean and put back on.

Enhance your bedroom’s decor

Duvet covers come in many different styles and colours. We have duvet colours in green, duvet covers in yellow and classic duvet covers in white. This is a huge benefit of a cover over a quilt or a comforter. Having one of these means you’re stuck with the same style until you get a new one, unlike covers that can be easily switched out. You can mix and match styles and colours of duvet covers to contrast the rest of your room. A duvet cover can also be the pop of colour you need to spice up your bedroom.

Protect your duvet

As well as general grime, duvet inners may often get damaged and stained due to anything - from sweat to snacking in bed. A cover for the duvet inner will ensure it’s protected and will last way longer. Duvet covers are far easier to replace than the whole duvet inner, so it won’t matter as much if you accidentally spill something on it.

How to know when it’s time to replace your duvet cover

There are a few tell-tale signs of when to get a new duvet. Change in seasons may leave you too hot or too cold in bed, you might want to restyle your room, or you might just want to change it up a bit. Read on to find out when to know it’s time for a new duvet cover.

Changing of the season

The changing of the seasons can be a good indicator that it’s time to switch out your bedding.. You may want to switch out your fluffy, heavy winter duvet inner for a lightweight inner when the temperature starts to warm up, and vice versa. The same goes for the duvet cover. A duvet cover of linen, or a duvet cover of cotton will get you through the summer months more comfortably, whereas a duvet cover of velvet would be better for winter.

Restyling your room

Whether you’re moving house or just remodelling your room, you’ll want your duvet cover to enhance your space. Changing your room is a great chance to switch out your duvet cover so that your room looks great. Duvet covers can shake up a bedroom by being the focal point, or you can keep it low-key with neutral colours.

Stains that don’t go away

There are often many heavy-duty techniques for removing stubborn stains and marks from duvet covers. Here are some you can try using ingredients you may already have at home:

Dishwashing liquid

Try using some directly on the stain and dabbing it in before you put the cover in the washing machine.

Soak

To loosen up stains and make them easier to wash out, soak your duvet cover in warm, soapy water for as long as possible before you wash it.

White vinegar

Add a cup of white vinegar with your laundry powder when washing the duvet cover. Vinegar neutralises strong odours and is scent-free once it’s dry.

Sunlight

Hanging your cover in the sunshine after washing not only dries it, but sunlight also has bleaching properties that can lift and lighten stains.

Unfortunately, there are some stains that may not come out of your bedding - like oil stains, or even red wine. If this is the case, it’s time to switch out and buy a new duvet cover.

Visible tears and rips

Unless you’re handy with a sewing kit, tears and rips mean it’s time to replace your duvet cover. Usually, tears and rips are a sign that the fabric is weak and old. Sleep experts suggest replacing your duvet every five years. If you’ve had your duvet cover for a while, patching up rips and tears may be a waste of time, as it’ll rip easily again in the future.

Colour blots or fading

If your bed is near a window with the sun beaming in during the day, it can cause colour fading, which can be frustrating if you have a vibrant or bold cover. Similarly, if you’re using a cleaning detergent that is too strong or your duvet cover is clumping in the washing machine, it can cause colour blots and spots of bleaching. There are a few things you can do to help the duvet cover keep its colour longer:

Add salt

The chloride in salt helps to seal in colour and prevents fading.

Wash in cold water

This also helps to prevent fading

Add vinegar

Once again, washing your duvet cover with white vinegar is a great solution.

Generally, if the colour is beyond saving - this is a sign it’s time to replace it. Unless you’re ok with the unsightly marks, of course.

Duvet cover options

Duvet covers come in many different sizes and fabrics. Choosing which one suits you best factors in things mentioned above like temperature and style. Picking the right fabric can be tricky, but here's some info on the different fabrics you’ll encounter.

Cotton

Cotton is a versatile, natural fibre that is naturally hypoallergenic. It’s a popular option for a duvet cover for many reasons. Even though it’s very easy to clean, cotton is extremely durable, so it will last a long time. It’s also really soft compared to some other fabrics.

Polyester

Polyester is a synthetic fabric, meaning it’s often a bit cheaper than other fabrics. It’s generally wrinkle-free as well, so you can pop it straight on your duvet inner, and it’ll look great. Polyester is also hypoallergenic and very strong and durable.

Microfibre

Given the way it’s made, microfibre is often very soft and generally lighter than other materials. Microfibre isn’t made of natural fibres, so it’s usually a bit cheaper. It’s also machine washable, so it's easy to look after. Duvet covers made from microfibre are sometimes more breathable than other options, meaning it's good for summer months.

Linen

Linen is more environmentally friendly, given what it’s made from and that it often isn’t made with chemicals. The natural fibres of linen mean that it’s very breathable and can absorb moisture, which means it's the perfect choice for summer.

Often linen feels more crisp than other bedding fabrics, but with time and use, linen fabrics become soft and supple. The thing about linen is that it gets better with use rather than wearing down.

How to decide which duvet cover to buy

When deciding which duvet cover to buy, you’ll want to match up to what your needs are.

Explore considerations, including:

The size of your bed and duvet

Your budget

Thread count

The season (i.e. linen in summer).

It can be a good idea to look up reviews online to see other people’s experiences and see what relates to you and your needs. If you’re still feeling stuck, our Briscoes bedding experts are also always available to help.

Should you buy a duvet cover set?

A duvet cover set is when you’ll buy a duvet cover along with other things like matching pillow covers. Sheets aren’t included, but can be a great addition. This way, everything matches up and hopefully goes with the aesthetic of your bedroom. Also, as sets are generally cheaper, you’ll save money rather than buying things individually. If you’re restyling your room from scratch, a new set may be good so that everything matches.

How much bigger should a duvet cover be than your bed?

Generally, it’s a good idea to buy one size up from the size of your mattress. Each duvet cover size only changes in width, so if you buy a duvet the same size as your bed, the duvet won’t cover the whole thing. A larger sized duvet will cover the base of the bed and make it look more stylish. More duvet also reduces the chance of blanket-hogging!

How to match the rest of your decor to your duvet cover

Choosing the perfect bedding to match the style of your bedroom is the best way to make the aesthetic of your bedroom flow. If you want your bed to be the centrepiece of the room, a bold colour or print, or even mixing and matching prints and colours on the bed will make it stand out.

If the vibe of your bedroom is more relaxed, you could try some neutral colours with some coloured pillows to make it more exciting. Maybe your style is completely minimalistic - a completely white bed always looks chic and fresh. Have fun with matching your duvet to your decor. Try out prints and colours you might not normally put together. It’s all up to you!

The range of duvet covers for sale at Briscoes

At Briscoes, we have various duvet cover options available to suit any style. Choose from top brands such as;

Royal Doulton creates beautifully-made designs you can trust and makes premium bedding with a slightly higher price point than other brands. If you’re looking for a duvet cover with luxury, this is the one for you.

Urban Loft has a mix of classic and modern styles, and is slightly more affordable.
Hotel @ Home has a minimalistic approach to bedding and is more stripped back, with less frills and fancy stuff.

Popular duvet options include white waffle for a modern, sleek look as well as beautiful earthy prints, if that’s more you. There are also cute fleece optionsif you’re preparing your bed for winter.

Take one step closer to a better night’s sleep with Briscoes

Choosing what kind of bedding you need can be a big task, but it’s easy if you know what you need for the time of year and are in touch with your decor taste. Duvet covers have many benefits, like being practical, stylish and impacting your sleep.

You can instantly lift your bedroom aesthetic by matching your duvet to your bedroom decor, or making it the stand out piece. Factor in things like seasons, the size of your bed and your budget. If you’re still unsure of which duvet cover you need, explore the huge range Briscoes has on offer now.