Duvet, Quilt, Comforter, or Bedspread: What's the Difference?

Visit a bed and bath store, and you’ll find aisle after aisle devoted to every type of bedding. There are comfortable, soft sheets that make sliding into bed a joy; blankets that warm up chilly winter nights, and many different types of bedding toppers. The last category is where confusion might set in—duvets vs. comforters, quilts, or bedspreads. What’s the difference, what type of bedding material are they made from, and why should you choose one over the other?

While sheets and blankets are mostly functional, the bedding topper has a more decorative purpose—it sets the pace for your bedroom’s style and feel. So when it’s time to give your bedroom a new look, it helps to know which type of topper is the best choice for your space.

Duvet vs. Comforter vs. Quilt vs. Bedspread

Duvets

Although many people use the word “duvet” to refer to the duvet cover, technically a duvet is a comforter, usually plain white and filled with down, while the duvet cover is the fabric envelope that fits over the duvet and closes down one side with large buttons, ties, or a zipper. The most popular style of bedding in much of Europe, duvets and their covers have also become very popular in the United States over the past decade or two. The duvet cover protects the inner comforter and is easy to remove for laundering, an improvement over traditional comforters and quilts, which are generally not easy to wash. In Europe, it is common to use the duvet without a top sheet underneath, but old habits die hard, and most Americans still use a duvet over a top sheet.

The warmth of a duvet depends on the type and amount of filling. In the summer, you can use the duvet cover on its own as a lightweight topper, then add extra blankets under the duvet when it’s cold. Duvet covers are now easy to find in a wide range of styles, especially if you are looking for a contemporary, luxury, or sophisticated look. Fabrics range from cotton to silk to synthetics and blends, sometimes with additional embroidery or other embellishments. Duvet covers are often sold with shams for a matched bedroom ensemble.

Pros

Especially good for minimalist, sophisticated, or modern bedrooms, they are a good choice for anyone who doesn’t want to bother with a top sheet. You can also swap the cover out easily whenever you want to change the look of your bedroom.

Cons

While a duvet is cozy, it can be difficult to change the cover and you'll often have to purchase a cover separately.

Comforters

A comforter is defined as a thick bedding topper filled with down or a synthetic substitute. Many comforters are sewn-through or quilted to keep the filling in place, but unlike a quilt, a comforter’s stitching is not ornately patterned. The amount and type of fill determine how much warmth a comforter provides. Probably the most popular type of bedding topper in the U.S., you can find comforters in just about any theme, color, style, or design you desire. Cotton, cotton blends, and synthetics are the most common fabrics. Comforters are usually warm enough to use without a blanket underneath. Often, you'll find comforters sold as a set with matching shams.

Pros

Comforters are especially good for children’s bedrooms, as you can find a wide range of comforter/sheet sets in a bag for kids’ rooms. They are also a good choice if you are shopping on a tight budget.

Cons

Comforters can be difficult to clean and unlike a duvet, you can't just change the cover. If you want a new style/aesthetic down the road, you'll have to buy a whole new comforter.

Quilts

A quilt is a type of blanket that is often handmade, with intricately crafted layers. The term quilt comes with lots of nostalgic connotations in addition to defining a type of bedding, and quilting refers to an artistic endeavor as well as a style of manufacturing.

A traditional handmade quilt has three layers: top, inner batting, and bottom. The top layer of a quilt is crafted from many different pieces of fabric stitched together into complex patterns. The batting is a thin inner layer of wool or down, and the bottom is usually a solid piece of fabric. The quilter stitches through all three layers, creating the familiar quilted look of this very old art form. Some of the traditional American quilt designs include a double wedding ring, log cabin, patchwork, and flying geese. Quilt color schemes can be very bright and varied, or a mix of subtle colors, or a colored pattern on a white or solid background.

Today, inexpensive quilts are generally made with sewing machines, not quilted by hand, and the patterns are sometimes dyed onto the fabric instead of pieced together with fabric scraps.

Pros

Quilts are usually made from cotton or cotton blends and are lightweight, thus perfect for summer use or as a winter topper with blankets underneath.​ They can also add a pop of color to a space and work especially well in country, rustic, coastal, or any other casual decorating style.

Cons

Quilts can be difficult to wash and may not provide enough warmth. They make a great addition to a bed, but on their own may not be enough.

Bedspreads

A bedspread is a single-layer bedding topper that covers the entire bed right down to the floor and often covers the pillows as well. Many bedspreads have elaborate pompom, corduroy, or chenille finishes, and some have fringe along the bottom edges. Solid colors are most common, although there are printed bedspreads available.

Pros

Bedspreads are lightweight, so can be a great option for summer use, or used over a blanket in cooler weather to add additional warmth. They are easy to use and can be a good choice for guest rooms, or for any bedroom with a retro style.

Cons

Although you still commonly find bedspreads in hotels, they are somewhat out of fashion for home use.

How to Choose the Best Bedding

Choosing the right bedding will depend on factors including the time of year, number of layers on your bed, as well as your preferred nighttime temperature. During the summer, you may want to opt for a thin, lightweight bedspread, particularly if you're in a hot climate. In the winter, a cozy down comforter or a synthetic fiber-filled substitute is a great choice to keep you warm. Duvets and quilts are layers that can be used throughout the seasons. Choose a duvet for an extra layer of fluffy comfort or a quilt for a lightweight layer.