Duvet covers bring an extra level of style and flair to any bedroom. They are also essential for protecting your duvet insert from getting too dirty, which is incredibly useful considering duvets can be quite difficult to clean due to their bulk.
With so many options on the market, it can be hard to decide which duvet covers are the best. That’s why we’ve broken down some important factors to consider when searching for a new duvet cover:
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Material Type: Fabric is important not only for how we feel while sleeping but also for how our bedding looks and fits into the overall decor of the room.
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Thread Count & Weave: Thread count can affect how soft and durable a duvet cover feels. Weave generally affects the look and feel of the cover.
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Design Options: Most duvets are about more than just practical use. Given that they tend to be a decorative staple, having a variety of style options to match other bedding and room decor is a must. Even better if you can find a bedding set with a matching duvet cover!
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Quality of Materials: Duvet covers have closures to secure the duvet insert inside. Look for covers made with high-quality materials, including zippers, buttons, or corner ties.
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Care Instructions: Duvets are notoriously hard to clean, so a protective and easy-to-clean cover is essential. Most people opt for a machine washable option.
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Price: While a duvet cover doesn’t need to break the bank, investing in high-quality materials keeps your cover looking better longer.
A Few Common Questions to Address
What Is a Duvet Cover?
Duvet covers are both practical and decorative. They have been likened to giant pillowcases, in that their practical function is to protect your duvet from body oil, skin, and hair.
In terms of decorative function, they take up the most visible surface area of the bed and are often considered a centerpiece of a bedroom’s decor. You can find duvet covers in a variety of fabrics, colors, and textures.
Do I need a cover for my duvet or comforter?
If you have a duvet, chances are you need a duvet cover.
Just as a pillowcase provides a protective layer between the pillow and your skin, a duvet cover acts as a barrier between our bodies and the duvet or comforter.
Duvets usually require special cleaning, such as dry clean, so covers are also important for hygiene and cleaning purposes. Comforters, which are similar to duvets, generally do not require covers, although a comforter cover may be used for decoration.
Duvet vs Comforter
What is the difference between duvets and comforters? Which is better? There is some serious debate on this topic!
Duvets
Duvet is a French word that means down comforter. Historically, duvets were filled only using down feathers, which are the soft underlayer of feathers found on geese and ducks. Today, they can be filled with a variety of materials including synthetic fibers (such as down alternative) or cotton.
Duvets can be tricky to wash and require a protective covering, which is almost always sold separately. A covered duvet can be used on the bed without a top sheet or flat sheet, although most people prefer to have one.
Comforters
Comforters are very similar and some use the term “duvet” and “comforter” interchangeably.
A comforter is usually a quilted blanket, as opposed to an "insert". A comforter is almost always used with a top sheet, flat sheet, or extra blanket between it and the sleeper. A comforter can be filled with cotton, down, or other materials, although you can have a comforter that is not filled.
When filled, most comforters tend to be slightly less fluffy than duvets and can be lighter in weight. The filling does tend to be more evenly distributed. A comforter generally does not require a cover (although comforter covers do exist) and the entire comforter can usually be thrown in the wash, making them much easier to care for.
Putting the comforter-duvet debate to bed
If you were to refer to a “very expensive down comforter” you would generally be referring to a duvet.
At the end of the day, a very bulky comforter and a duvet are almost the same in terms of functionality -- they keep a sleeper warm in bed. When it comes to the duvet vs. comforter debate, a lot comes down to the customizability that a cover affords and the luxurious nature of a fluffy down or down alternative.
Many use a duvet cover on a comforter, either for additional cover or decoration.
Do you use a duvet year-round?
Both duvets and comforters are useful for keeping warm during cold weather. But what about warmer summer months?
A lightweight duvet or comforter can be used year-round. Pairing it with breathable sheets or a lightweight cover is common for maintaining comfort.
Some alternate between heavier or lighter duvets or comforters depending on the season. If you don’t plan on changing to a thicker duvet or comforter during the cold months, a lightweight one can be used year-round with an additional blanket or extra-warm bedding materials such as a flannel.
What are the best fabrics for a duvet cover?
Deciding the best materials for any bedding (including pillows, sheets, pillowcases, etc.) usually depends on a variety of factors. Budget, personal preference, and maintenance are all things to take into consideration.
The ideal fabric may also depend on the contents and fill power of your duvet or comforter. Bigger, thicker, and fluffier duvets or comforters may benefit from lighter fabrics that don't weigh down what is often already a heavy layer.
Common materials for a duvet cover include linen, cotton, microfiber, and flannel, however, they can also be made with silk, wool, or another synthetic alternative.
Breathable fabrics are popular due to their comfort. Many duvet covers are dual-sided so that the inside layer (that part that touches the bed sheets) utilizes a breathable fabric, while the top layer (the visible part) utilizes a decorative fabric.
Lush fabrics, such as velvet, are sometimes used for adornment purposes. Here at Mellanni, one of our favorite upcoming launches is our Velvet Duvet Cover which has microfiber fabric on the inner layer and lush velvet fabric on the outer layer. The perfect combo!
How do I wash a duvet cover?
Duvet covers are usually easy to wash. Most are machine-washable, although it's always important to double-check specific care instructions of any bedding item before washing.
At Mellanni, we pride ourselves on crafting duvet covers that are elegant and easy to care for. All of our duvet covers, including our upcoming Velvet Duvet Cover, can be machine washed in cold water.
How to choose the best duvet cover
Material
Duvet covers can be made of a variety of different fabrics. Deciding which fabric is best may depend on a variety of factors.
Linen
Linen is a breathable plant-based fabric that is very lightweight. Linen is usually associated with a rustic, down-to-earth look. The downside to linen as an option for bedding is that it can sometimes be rough to the touch and does not produce the softest sleeping environment. Additionally, linen is often a more expensive option.
Cotton
Cotton is a very common material used in bedding. Cotton covers tend to be breathable, versatile, and come in a variety of design options. Organic cotton, a more sustainable and environmentally friendly cotton choice, has recently been bursting onto the scene. Organic cotton does tend to run on the pricier side and some bedding that is advertised as organic may not be properly certified.
Microfiber
Microfiber fabric is a great option due to its wrinkle-resistant quality. While wrinkles in linen duvets may be acceptable if you like the “lived-in look”, if you are going for a fresh, crisp look, microfiber is the best option. Mellanni’s Classic Duvet Cover is a great microfiber option and doesn’t require ironing to achieve that hotel-luxury feel.
Flannel
Except for wool, flannel is known as one of the coziest and body heat-trapping fabrics. Flannel can be great for those cooler months, however, during warm seasons it may not be the best choice. Even in the winter, warm sleepers may struggle with the heat-trapping qualities of both flannel and a down comforter.
Thread Count & Weave
Thread count refers to how many threads are woven into one square inch of fabric. There is a common misconception that a higher thread count means a more luxurious fabric.
A solid thread count range for duvet covers is between 300-600. Anything less than that may feel rough to the touch, while anything more might be an indication of an inflated thread count.
Weave is the thread pattern used to bind the horizontal and vertical threads of fabric. Common weave patterns include percale and sateen.
A percale weave tends to produce a crisp, clean feeling in a fabric. Percale weaves tend to be on the more economical side.
A sateen weave tends to produce a glossy effect and often produces a fabric that is softer to the touch and that looks and feels more luxurious.
Design Options
While a duvet cover is essentially a soft flat bag filled with a duvet insert, they definitely don't look like it! Duvet covers are often the centerpiece of a bedroom's decor.
Many can be purchased as part of a bedding set or matching set to seamlessly fit with the vibe of your room. These will often come with matching shams (a sham is a decorative pillowcase for your pillows), sheets, bed skirts, etc.
It's common to swap out duvet covers depending on the season, plus it's always good to have options for wash day!
One of our absolute favorite decorative covers here at Mellanni is our soon-to-be-released Pinsonic Stripe Duvet Cover -- it’s beautiful, modern, and eye-catching.
Quality
Craftsmanship matters.
Duvet inserts are generally secured inside a cover using a zipper enclosure, buttons, or corner ties. Investing in a duvet cover with good quality fasteners means easier maintenance and an overall longer-lasting cover.
Low-quality fabric may shrink, stretch, or rip easily, affecting both the efficiency and the look of your cover.
Care
Most people tend to opt for a cover that is machine washable. Always be sure to read the washing and drying instructions. Look for covers that are fade-resistant and shrink resistant so you know you will be getting the most out of your investment for years to come, even through many washes.
Price
Duvets are often an expensive investment. Keeping them clean and in good maintenance is also a good investment. While it’s not necessary to buy 100% silk or Egyptian cotton duvet covers (which are generally the most expensive on the market), opting for high-quality materials is a good call.
Keep an eye on return and exchange policies. At the end of the day, the very best bedding for one person might not be the best for someone else. Knowing you can return or exchange if it doesn't work for you can give you peace of mind.
Mellanni’s Duvet Covers
Mellanni Microfiber Duvet Cover
Why you will love it:
This microfiber duvet cover is wrinkle-resistant which is perfect for maintaining a smooth and clean look for your bedroom. You get the feeling of hotel-style luxury as well as a wide variety of options to match any decor.
Mellanni Velvet Duvet Cover
Why you will love it:
Our dual-sided velvet and microfiber duvet cover is durable, plush, and luxurious for maximum comfort and maximum style.
Mellanni Pinsonic Stripe Duvet Cover
Why you will love it:
Our Pinsonic Stripe Duvet cover has an eye-catching and modern design. This design can instantly elevate the look and feel of your bedroom with the tried and true Mellanni style craftsmanship.
Mellanni Velvet Stripe
Why you will love it:
Made with a beautiful velvet band detail, our Velvet Stripe duvet cover is the height of luxury and style. The alternating textures of this design make it truly unique, especially if you like a slightly layered look!
Conclusion
A duvet cover is an important functional piece in your bedding collection. It is also a great way to elevate the look and feel of every bedroom in the house.
Remember, when searching for the perfect duvet cover, there are a few factors to consider:
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Type of Material
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Thread Count & Weave
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Design
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Quality
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Care
With those factors in mind, the following duvet covers are great options:
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The classic & elegant Mellanni Duvet Cover - perfect for any decor with easily combinable color options.
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The ultra-glamorous Mellanni Velvet Duvet Cover - ideal for those who seek a bit of luxury in the bedroom.
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The eye-catching Mellanni Pinsonic Stripe Duvet Cover or Mellanni Velvet Stripe Duvet Cover - ideal for those who tend toward contemporary decor.
Great duvet covers should be durable enough to protect your duvet, comfortable enough to sleep with, and stylish enough to tie a room together. Mellanni has you covered, no pun intended!
