Duvet Buying Guide

Putting some time into choosing a duvet can make a massive difference to your quality of sleep. Duvets come in all shapes and sizes, with some offering a cosy night’s sleep, others designed for those who suffer allergies, and some made to replicate natural duvet fillings. Duvets have a unique tog rating system to help you choose the right style of duvet for your personal preference as well as the time of year. This duvet buying guide will help you to understand the types of duvets available and which one is best for you.

Which duvet should I buy?

To find out which duvet you should buy, you will first need to understand the different types of duvet fillings and the benefits of each. What your duvet is filled with, will determine the comfort, warmth and structure of the duvet itself. There are two types of duvet filling, synthetic and natural.

Synthetic Fillings

Synthetic duvets are often much more affordable than natural duvets and provide just as much comfort, warmth and support. Available in a range of weather appropriate styles such as light and cool summer duvets and cosy insulating winter duvets, there are plenty of options available to choose from. The most preferred types of synthetic fillings are microfibre and hollowfibre duvets. Microfibre tends to mimic the texture of a natural feather or down duvet and hollowfibre offers a thicker and more structured duvet. Often machine washable, they are a fantastic choice for a busy home and can be easily maintained. Some synthetic duvets provide additional qualities such as hypo-allergenic and thermal insulation for those extra cold nights during the winter.

Non-allergenic synthetic duvets are designed especially for those who suffer from allergies. Usually made with super soft embossed micro-fibre fabric and non-allergenic hollowfibre they provide comfort and warmth.

Teddy duvets offer a layer of thermal insulation to provide the cosiest night’s sleep. Ideal for autumn and winter in the UK, they are often made with polyester stimulated lambswool for a soft-touch feel. Ideal for those who enjoy being extra snug at night, teddy duvets are soft and luxurious and can also be kept clean easily as they are machine washable.

Just Like down duvets have been designed to provide all the benefits of a natural down duvet and are the perfect alternative to feather and down. Often these types of duvets come with a cotton cover for a smooth and luxurious feel.

Natural Fillings

The beauty of natural duvets is that they tend to allow your skin to breathe. Choose from silk, wool and down duvets.

Silk duvets are a good choice for anyone who suffers from allergies but still wants a natural duvet. Hypoallergenic, silk duvets help to regulate the body temperature and are often lightweight and easy to clean.

Wool duvets are also hypoallergenic and can help to move excess heat and moisture away from the body during sleep.

Down duvets, filled with feathers, either duck or goose, are lightweight yet provide the best level of warmth. Often made in countries where the weather is much colder, such as Sweden, Canada and Hungary, they are designed specially to combat very cold weather. Feather duvets are often more robust than feather and down combinations but can be heavier. Feather and down-filled duvets offer durability, exceptional warmth and comfort without weighing you down.

Duvet tog rating

The tog rating of a duvet is one of the most important elements to consider when buying a new duvet. It directly relates to its warmth. The higher the tog rating of a duvet, the warmer the duvet will be. By paying close attention to a duvet tog rating, you will be able to identify whether a duvet is suitable for the season you’re in. For instance, if you’re buying a new duvet in time for winter, you’ll want a duvet with a tog rating of at least 12 and for optimum warmth around 13.5 tog. For summer, consider a duvet with a tog rating of no more than 4.5, as anything over this can be too hot during warmer weather and can lead to sweating during the night. For spring and autumn, you’ll be best opting for duvets in-between 4.5 and 12 tog, depending on how warm you like to be at night.

Transitional bedding ideas

To top up your comfort and warmth, here are some fantastic transitional bedding ideas that will help ensure you have a great night’s sleep.

Electric blankets

If you get cold fairly easily during the autumn and winter, you might want to invest in an electric blanket. Economical to run and easy to use, electric blankets and a hugely popular choice and can turn even the most cold and unwelcoming bed into a snug and comfortable haven.

Mattress toppers

A mattress topper is a brilliant way to instantly increase your level of comfort at night. With hypoallergenic, cotton, bamboo and memory foam options available, there really is a mattress topper for everyone.

Throws and blankets

There is nothing quite like a soft and cosy blanket. Whether you wrap up warm during the evenings while watching a movie, or you add a fluffy throw to the end of your bed, a blanket can add a touch of colour to a room as well as add warmth to your bed.