Burrowing into bed late at night, all you want is a peaceful night’s sleep. And with the right bedding, those sweet dreams will become a reality as soon as you drift off to dreamland.
When you create the linen bedding set of your dreams, it’s only natural to start with the linen duvet cover. After all, it’s the first thing anyone sees when walking into your bedroom! We’ve got your ultimate guide to duvet covers, looking into what a duvet is and how to choose the best one for you!
What is a Duvet?
A duvet is a thick blanket that can be made of different materials (wool, polyester, and cotton are usually top choices) and is intended to be used as an insert. It’s roughly the same thickness as a comforter but is non-decorative and meant to fill out the inside of a duvet cover. Many duvet inserts have ties or tabs on the corners, allowing them to be attached to the inside of the linen duvet cover so that they don’t shift while you move around during your sleep.
What is a Linen Duvet Cover?
When learning what you need to know about duvet covers, here’s a simple way to think about it: A linen duvet cover acts like a pillowcase for your duvet insert. Corresponding with the duvet insert, it typically has simple loops or tabs on the inside corners (and sometimes the sides as well) that allow your duvet insert to be attached to keep it in place. Ties, button closures, or zippers along the top or bottom of the duvet cover help secure the duvet insert and, most importantly, keep it clean.
What’s the Difference Between a Duvet Cover, Bedspread, and Coverlet?
As you are trying to choose the right linen bedding, linen duvet covers, bedspreads, and coverlets are all great options—and understanding the differences between them will help you make your bed like a professional.
A few key differences to note: A linen bedspread also has the luxuriousness of a linen duvet cover but doesn’t require the duvet insert. Given that it’s missing the insert, it’s a lighter-weight, quilted option for a more down-home feel. However, duvet covers are easy to remove from the insert and wash or swap out when you need a refresh.
Likewise, a linen coverlet is more lightweight than a linen bedspread—both in terms of batting inside the covering and in length across the bed. It can make for a pretty decorative topper for a comforter or duvet.
Which Type of Duvet Cover Should I Choose (Linen or Cotton)?
The age-old debate continues: Should you choose linen or cotton bedding for your home? While linen and cotton are two of the most popular fabrics used for bedding options throughout North America, they have different qualities you should consider when making your duvet cover decisions.
5 Reasons We Love Linen for Duvet Covers
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of using linen for our home décor (and especially for our bedding)! Here are just a few of the several reasons why we opt for a linen duvet cover every single time:
- Durable
- Hypoallergenic
- Temperature-regulating
- Moisture-wicking
- Soft and long-lasting
1. Linen is Durable
Cotton fibers are shorter and more flexible than linen fibers, which are very rigid and tightly wound. As a result, cotton fabric is stretchier, making it less strong and durable than linen. For a bedding option that will last for years, you’ll gravitate again and again to a linen duvet cover.
2. Linen is Hypoallergenic
Because linen’s fibers are so tightly wound, it makes a great bedding choice for anyone suffering from allergies. Linen fibers repel dust and dirt and keep allergens and bacteria from settling into your bedding.
Meanwhile, cotton fibers are known to have big pores. Those larger pores allow in more dust, dirt, hair, and other allergens. For those who have sensitive skin or allergies, have pets sleeping in the bed with them, or live in a busy environment with a lot of dust and particles moving through the air, a linen duvet cover is the best option.
3. Linen is Temperature-Regulating
Cotton fabric is known to insulate, making it a good option for those who need more warmth to sleep well. However, linen fabric fibers have the unique ability to thermoregulate—meaning when it’s hot outside, the fibers loosen to allow airflow in, and when it’s cold, the fibers naturally contract, shutting down that increased airflow to keep you warm and cozy all night long. Because linen helps to keep you cool, you’ll enjoy a more peaceful slumber under your linen duvet cover.
4. Linen is Moisture-Wicking
Thanks to cotton’s shorter, more flexible fibers, it absorbs about 25% of its weight in moisture—slightly more than linen. However, cotton fibers have a hard time wicking that moisture away, meaning you’re likely lying in a wet puddle of sweat when you wake up.
On the other hand, due to its tightly wound fibers, linen absorbs about 20% of its weight in moisture and can wick it away quickly, making it the perfect fabric for those who sweat in their sleep. Cocooned in linen’s moisture-wicking properties, you’re assured a better night’s sleep under your linen duvet cover.
5. Linen is Soft and Long-Lasting
While cotton bedding is soft to the touch immediately, its fibers break down in the wash, meaning you’ll have to replace it after just a few years. At Linenforce, all of our bedding comes prewashed for softness, so you’ll never have to deal with the rough touch fresh linen fabric sometimes offers. Better yet, it gets consistently softer with each wash. Also, thanks to its durable fibers, linen can last decades, giving the linen duvet cover the overall win.
The Benefits of Linen Duvet Covers
In the same way that there are substantial benefits to choosing a linen fabric for your home goods, there are many reasons to choose a linen duvet cover as part of an affordable option for your next bedroom refresh. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Versatility: Because it acts like a pillowcase for your duvet insert, it’s easy to change your duvet cover to refresh your bedroom décor if you get bored or, better yet, want to change up your linen bedding color!
- Washability: Again, when you think of your duvet cover as your bed’s biggest pillowcase, it means it’s easy to remove your duvet cover to clean in the washing machine, making it a hygienic option.
- Less is More: For those who aren’t crazy about the extra layer a top sheet can provide, it’s easy to substitute a flat sheet with the luxurious softness of a duvet cover. Consider it a two-in-one win!
Choosing Your Perfect Linenforce Duvet Cover
Our linen duvet covers are especially luxurious, wrapping you up in soft comfort and sleek style. You can't make a wrong choice with our designs, and with plenty of options to choose from, you’ve got your pick of colors and styles to switch out your décor regularly!
Our duvet covers include:
- The Basic Ties Duvet Cover
- The Bow Ties Duvet Cover
- The Ruffled Hem Duvet Cover
- The Edge Embroidered Duvet Cover
- The Two Tones Duvet Cover
The Basic Ties Duvet Cover
Crafted from the finest linen fabrics, our Basic Ties Duvet Covers are stylish yet minimalistic, and feature fabric ties to close your cover for a casual look. When you choose this linen duvet cover, you’ll be wrapped in endless comfort and timeless style every single night.
The Bow Ties Duvet Cover
Seeking to strike a balance between elegance and simplicity, our Bow Ties Duvet Cover Collection adds character to your bed with shabby-chic bow ties. Crafted from pure linen fabric, this serene linen duvet cover will give you a full night of uninterrupted, high-quality sleep.
The Ruffled Hem Duvet Cover
Masterfully crafted and sewn with careful attention to detail, our Ruffled Hem Duvet Covers emanate luxury. Made from all-natural linen and featuring a feminine ruffle, this romantic linen duvet cover brings a touch of elegance to any modern bedroom.
The Edge Embroidered Duvet Cover
Handcrafted with 100% linen, our Edge Embroidered Duvet Cover is made of the highest-quality materials. The clean white cover boasts an embroidered edge for the perfect pop of color, leaving you luxuriating in both style and comfort every time you sleep.
The Two Tones Duvet Cover
Classic yet stylish, our Two Tones Duvet Cover allows you to combine bold color with a classic white duvet cover for the ultimate design. Whether you display the color or the subtle white on the outside of your bed, this fun linen duvet cover works double duty to bring a touch of sophisticated beauty to your bedroom. It’s also a great option for those who like to switch up their style, as you can go back and forth from bright to white with a simple flip.
How to Measure for Your Linen Duvet Cover
To properly pull your perfect bedroom together, you must buy the right-sized linen duvet cover and duvet insert. Start with the size of the mattress you’ll be sleeping on and then follow our tips to adjust your sizing.
When choosing the right style and size of your duvet insert, use your measuring tape to confirm you’ve got the right size for your desired style. If you’re looking for a duvet cover with a streamlined fit that barely overhangs, buy a duvet insert and cover that matches your mattress size. If you want a fuller, more cloud-like look with a duvet cover that reaches farther down the sides, choose an insert and cover in the next bed size up.
For a perfect fit that’s just wider than your bed, follow this duvet cover sizing guidance:
- Duvet width = mattress width + 2 times the height
- Duvet length = mattress length + 1 time the height
7 Steps to Easily Assemble Your Duvet Cover
Once you’ve found the perfect size of duvet for your bedroom, it’s time to assemble your duvet cover. As you build your linen bedding set, here are seven steps you’ll want to remember to execute the “burrito method,” the easiest way to put your duvet cover together:
- Step 1: Lay Everything Flat. Lay your duvet insert flat on the bed before turning the cover inside out and laying it directly on top of the insert. Make sure the opening of the duvet cover is at the foot of the bed.
- Step 2: Align Your Duvet Insert and Cover. Line up each corner of your duvet cover and insert to sit directly on top of each other.
- Step 3: Tie Your Insert into Your Duvet Cover. Take the strings on your duvet cover and tightly tie them to the insert to ensure everything stays in place while you’re asleep.
- Step 4: Roll Your Duvet. Picking up the closed end at the head of the bed, roll your duvet cover and insert together like a burrito. Roll the duvet until you conceal the insert, seeing only the open end of the duvet cover.
- Step 5: Fold Your Duvet. Fold the open end of your duvet cover over the entire bedding burrito roll you just created. Keep folding until you’ve covered the entire duvet insert.
- Step 6: Unroll Your Duvet and Shake It Out. Unroll the duvet “burrito” so that the duvet insert and cover lie flat once again, making sure that each of the four corners are lined up. Grab the duvet cover and insert at the open end and shake the whole duvet out as many times as needed. If any spots don’t line up, manually reposition those sections.
- Step 7: Close the Duvet Cover. Depending on how your duvet cover is made, tie, button, or zip together the duvet cover and shake it out again before you finish making your bed.
How to Care for Your Linen Duvet Cover
Of course, your linen duvet cover deserves the best in care. For best results and maximum cleanliness, we recommend washing your duvet cover and insert every other week. Follow our linen fabric care instructions so that your duvet cover and insert remain fresh for years to come.
Equipped with everything you now know about linen duvet covers, you will have your bedroom feeling like an elegantly styled oasis—one you’ll never want to leave. The good news is, you don’t have to! Your new duvet cover is just one of the many luxurious linen bedding options you’ll dream about all day—and all night—long.
