We spend around a third of our life asleep - seven hours per night on average. Unsurprisingly, then, choosing the best quality bedding and duvet, pillowcase and mattress is important. When it comes to choosing the perfect duvet, the possibilities are endless. Depending on the size of your bed and the temperature of your room, you’ll need to choose from either a summer or a winter duvet, made from natural fibres or synthetic materials. And what about the filling - down or microfibre? Read on for our top tips on choosing the right duvet for your lifestyle.
Choosing the right size duvet
To guarantee a good night’s sleep, it’s important to choose a duvet that’s the correct size for your bed. If your mattress measures 90cm across, you’ll need a duvet that’s 140x200cm. For beds over 120cm in length, go for a 200x200cm duvet. For a standard double bed (140cm), choose between a 200cmx200cm or 240x200cm duvet. Queen size (160cm) and king size beds (180cm), as well as super-size beds (200cm) will need a larger duvet - try 260x240cm.
For a duvet that’s truly snug and protects against draughts, it’s recommended to leave 40 to 50cm of extra fabric on either side and at the foot of the duvet - so if you’re particularly tall or tend to move about in bed, you may wish to try out a different size duvet!
Choosing the right temperature duvet
Le choix d’une couette s’effectue en fonction de l’environnement dans lequel nous dormons (pièce fraîche ou chauffée), mais il dépend également de sa propre sensibilité au froid ou à la chaleur. C’est pourquoi certaines personnes changent leur couette selon les saisons, en fonction des températures. Plus la densité du garnissage est élevée, plus la couette sera chaude.
You’ll also want to choose your duvet depending on the season or the temperature of your bedroom. Some people choose to buy two duvets, a summer duvet and a winter duvet. The difference between the two lies in the weight.
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Winter duvets usually have a textile weight between 300 and 500g/m²
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Summer duvets usually have a textile weight between 200 and 400g/m²
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‘Year round’ duvets usually have a textile weight between 300 and 400g/m²
Duvets with a textile weight between 300 and 500g/m² are ideal for the winter, while summer duvets are designed for temperatures above 22°C. For a duvet that’s ideal all year round, choose one with a textile weight of 300 and 400g/m² - perfect for bedrooms at an ambient temperature of 18° to 22°C. The textile weight (or number of togs for people in the UK) can be found on the label. For cold winters, our duck-down duvet is sure to keep you warm and cost.
Synthetic or natural fibres?
Just like pillowcases, duvets can be filled with natural or synthetic fibres, or a mix of both. Generally speaking, there are four main types of duvet filling. Goose- and duck-down feathers, also known as ‘natural’ duvets, are ideal for people looking for a warm duvet that will minimise air loss and draughts. Silk duvets are also termed ‘natural’ duvets, and are ideal for people that suffer from allergies thanks to their hypoallergenic properties. Mixed-fibre duvets, as their name suggests, contain a blend of natural and synthetic fibres, giving them both softness and warmth. Finally, synthetic duvets, or hollowfibre and microfibre duvets, are ideal for people on a budget. They’re also easier to take care of, as well as being a more sustainable choice.
It’s important to remember that in the case of duck- and goose-down duvets, the feathers used for the filling come from animals that have already been used for food. Duck and geese are no longer killed exclusively for their feathers. At Carré Blanc, we and our partners are committed to sourcing the raw materials of our bedding and bed accessories from French suppliers.
Choosing a duvet according to your budget
While investing in good-quality bedding is always a good idea, it’s important to consider your budget when buying a duvet. Unsurprisingly, ‘natural’ duvets in silk, duck-down or goose-down are the most expensive options. As a general rule, the softer the duvet, the more filling required - another factor which can quickly push the price up, particularly given that the filling is the most expensive part of the duvet. The provenance of the material used in the filling (France, Europe, Asia, or the wider world) can also affect the price of the final product. Synthetic duvets are a more affordable option, as well as being easier to maintain. Silicone hollowfibre duvets are designed to imitate the weight of real feathers, making them more expensive than standard hollowfibre or synthetic duvets.
The quality and weaving of the duvet’s outer layer also has an impact on the price, as does the padding and distribution of the filling. Cotton sateen 139 fils/cm² and internal quilting are all signs of a good quality duvet.
Whether you’re looking for a silk duvet, a feather duvet, or a synthetic duvet, Carré Blanc’s extensive range of duvets are crafted from a range of high-quality fabrics and fillings. For a bedroom that’s truly relaxing, choose a duvet cover and bed set in cotton percale to allow skin to breathe - not to mention the right pillows!