Bedding
Bedspread Buying Guide: Which Bedding Set is Right for You?
Whether you're looking for easy-care bedding or luxury bedding sets, we're here to answer your questions about bedspreads (the general name for all top-layer bedding), whether it's comforters, duvets, coverlets, or quilts. Know that comforters are easily confused with duvets, but they are far from the same thing. Learn the difference with our explanatory guide, The Age Old Debate: Duvets vs Comforters. We will also give you important information about caring for your bedspreads and comforters. Depending on your needs you may find that sturdier bed linens are right for you or perhaps you'll realize that a luxury bedding set is the perfect fit!
Comforter
Comforters are filled with layers of material, such as polyester batting, down feathers, down alternatives, wool, or silk. They are stitched or quilted to keep the filling in place and evenly distributed. The thickness or loft of the filling material determines the weight and the warmth level of the comforter.
Warmth: Many comforters come in weights, so if you live in a warm climate or would like to use the comforter in warm months, opt for a lighter weight. The opposite applies for cold climates. Often people will swap out comforters for lightweight quilts, coverlets, or blankets in warm seasons.
Care Instructions: An easy-to-care-for bedding option, most comforters are machine washable. However, you've purchased cute comforters with beading or intricate designs, you should read the label to see if it requires a delicate cycle.
Quilt
Quilts are commonly made with three layers: a woven cloth top, a layer of batting, and a woven cloth bottom. These layers are stitched together, often in a decorative pattern. Customarily, the top layer of quilts are sewn together from many different fabrics, while a single piece of fabric is used for the bottom layer. They are traditionally made to mark important live events, such as marriage, graduations, new babies, and more. Quilts can also be used as blankets in other rooms and hung on walls as decorations—especially if they're vintage or have a special meaning.
Warmth: Quilts are ideal for warm seasons and climates or as an extra layer when it's cold.
Care Instructions: The common way to care for a quilt is to wash it in cold water on gentle with a mild detergent in a home washing machine. If a quilt has lace or applique work, dry cleaning may be the best option. Lay flat or on a rack to dry.
Coverlets
This lightweight, non-reversible bedding is designed to be used as a decorative layer over thicker or warmer bedspreads. Today's coverlets can sometimes have a thin layer of batting, which makes them warm enough to use on their own. Coverlets are usually quilted or woven. Many decorative coverlets use matelassé, a centuries-old stitching technique that creates ornate quilted patterns, such as diamond, floral, and herringbone. Often, coverlets are sold with coordinating shams. They can also be used as a throw blanket in other rooms.
Warmth: Like quilts, coverlets work well in warm seasons and climates or as an extra layer in cold months.
Care Instructions: Be careful when washing a coverlet. Wash it much the same way as you would a quilt, in a home washing machine with cold water and a mild detergent on gentle. Partially dry the coverlet in a dryer on low heat and delicate. Remove when still damp to avoid shrinking. Do not line dry.
TIP!: It's important to care for your bedding properly. Read the instructions on your duvet, comforter, coverlet, or quilt before washing or dry cleaning so you know the proper way to care for your new bedding set!