Devektor Home Decorating

Comforter Duvet

Down Duvet Comforters - What You Need to Know Before Buying a Duvet

If you are like me, you love the feel, comfort, warmth and look of a down duvet comforter. After having one for several years now, I can't imagine sleeping without it. If you are in the market to buy a down comforter, here are a few things you should know before you make that purchase.

As with any home decorating or design project, you should first evaluate your needs.

Do you turn you heat down a lot in the winter, so a warmer comforter/duvet is necessary? Do you want to be able to use the comforter/duvet all season long or just for the winter? What about allergies? Hypoallergenic down duvets/comforters are available. How long would you like the duvet/down comforter to last? And of course, the all-important, budget question. How much do you intend or have to spend?

Remember that a down duvet/comforter is an investment. It is something that you will have for many, many years.

Type of down – There are several types of down, usually defined by the country or area from which they come. Down can also come from either geese or ducks. Duck down is a higher end down with a greater loft, softer fibres and extreme warmth. Goose down is of mid-range quality. Higher end goose down is white goose down. In the lower end duvets, you will find feathers making up a portion of the fill. Feathers do not have the same properties as down. They are heavier, have less loft and are not able to provide the warmth and softness of down

The highest end down is the duck down, Eiderdown. It is said to be the most luxurious, comfortable, and lightweight of all downs. For a truly luxurious bedroom this would be the ultimate choice.

Other high end brand downs include LaJord, goose down produced by the Hudderite communities in Canada, Zeigler down of Poland, which is also a high end white goose down, and Salzburg of Germany which produces high quality white goose down from mature geese.

Amount of down – When looking at the specifications of a down duvet/comforter, you should see a weight measurement. For example, a Queen Size duvet may have a weight of 30oz. This will tell you the amount of down in the duvet/comforter. Generally, the heavier it is, the warmer it will be. However, the warmth also depends on the type and quality of the down itself and of course, a larger comforter/duvet should be heavier because of the size and not because it will provide more warmth.

Comforter/Duvet cover material – Most often, the cover will be made of cotton. In some of the most luxurious down duvets/comforters, you will find the cover made of pure silk. In any case, you should be looking for the thread count of this fabric. The higher the number, the better the ‘down-proof' quality will be. In general, I would recommend looking for a number above 300.

Is it baffle box or simple square construction? – This is a characteristic that can make a huge difference in the comfort factor of a duvet comforter. Lower end down  duvets/comforters will be sewn with simple squares, meaning the down cannot move around except for inside the square. You may experience cold spots where there is no down at all.

The baffle box is a more complicated, and better construction. Instead of simple squares, the duvet/comforter is constructed with boxes, meaning the top and bottom layers of the duvet comforter are not attached except for at the outer edges. This allows the down to move more freely inside the duvet/comforter and move over a larger area. It is able to cover the complete surface of the duvet comforter. Cold spots are very rare and the down can easily be adjusted to eliminate them.

Hypoallergenic – If you are allergic to down or feathers, you may be hesitant to consider a down duvet, even though you would love to have one. Today, most of the down is treated with a special cleaning process rendering it hypoallergenic.

Dual Zone Duvets – Dual zone down duvets are a newer product that is absolutely fantastic. You can now buy a duvet that has different levels of down in each side. Exclusive retailers will custom-make them for you based on you and your partner's warmth requirements.

Last but not least, you should consider buying a duvet cover or comforter cover for your new duvet – your new investment. A duvet cover will not only protect your duvet but will allow you to choose your decorating scheme - not to mention being able to change your decor on a decorating whim.

Shop for some Duvets, Comforters, & Duvet Covers?

About the Author

Shelly Whitney is a Home Interior Specialist - an Interior Designer, Decorator, ReDesigner and Stager. She continues to inspire people with her unique ideas and designs. See the complete article at Inspired Interiors.ca.

What is the difference between a duvet and a comforter?

And, am i supposed to put any comforter inside a duvet cover, or are there special duvets sold for covers?

Duvet are made or better yet filled with feathers this is why you are required to have a duvet cover, to prevent the feathers from venturing out and poke you even trough he fabric, it all depends on what type of feathers were used in the making a duvet, if it was made from down then the price will be more .
A comforter is filled with batting a synthetic material it depend on the thickness used , you don't need to put a quilt into a duvet cover for the simple reason that nothing will stick out of the fabric , a duvet can only be cleaned with special care , in the old days they took the feathers out to wash and it took time and a lot of patience to refill and sew the duvet up , now days most of the cleaning is done by a dry cleaning technique. If you have the money buy yourself a duvet they are light in weight but very warm to sleep under. And they last for a life time if you take good care of them .
the Duvet

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=1627&f=10921

The comforter

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Echo-Slinky-Brown-Mini-Comforter-Set/3323237/product.html#moreinfo

Comforter Duvet
Slumber Comfort - Comforters Duvet Covers Down Comforter

The Comforter $19.84 The Comforter

Daniadown Glacier Duvet Cover $97 Daniadown - Bedding - Sleep in luxury by covering your favorite down comforter with the Daniadown Solid Duvet Cover - 270 Thread Count. Egyptian cotton is a long staple fiber that produces a soft, sensuous fabric when woven into sheets. Strong and durable, this duvet cover is machine-washable and uses a hidden zipper closure for a seamless look and feel. Choose the appropriate size and color to suit your decor. Sateen duvet cover 270 thread count, 100% Egyptian cotton Hidden zipper closure Machine-washable Specifications: Dimensions of twin: 66 W x 84 L Dimensions of double: 80 W x 84 L Dimensions of queen: 86 W x 90 L Dimensions of king: 100 W x 90 L

Daniadown Graphica Duvet Cover $108 Daniadown - Bedding - An intricate stripe pattern turns the Daniadown Graphica Duvet Cover - 270 Thread Count into a geometric focal point in your sophisticated contemporary bedroom. Understated shades of gray and brown are given a glamorous treatment with a metallic sheen of taffeta. The hidden zipper closure creates a seamless look while making this cotton comforter easy to remove and machine wash. Intricate striped patterned duvet cover 270 thread count, 100% Egyptian cotton sateen fabric Hidden zipper closure Grays and browns with metallic sheen Your choice of sizes Machine-washable Specifications: Dimensions of twin: 66 W x 84 L Dimensions of double: 80 W x 84 L Dimensions of queen: 86 W x 90 L Dimensions of king: 100 W x 90 L

Daniadown Fusion Duvet Cover $154 Daniadown - Bedding - A simple ripple pattern on the Daniadown Fusion Duvet Cover is enough to create textured modern style to complement your contemporary bedroom decor. The polyester fabric pairs a natural background with your choice of color accent. The hidden zipper closure creates a seamless look while making this durable comforter easy to remove and machine wash. Ripple patterned duvet cover 100% polyester fabric Hidden zipper closure Your choice of colors Your choice of sizes Machine-washable Specifications: Dimensions of twin: 66 W x 84 L Dimensions of double: 80 W x 84 L Dimensions of queen: 86 W x 90 L Dimensions of king: 100 W x 90 L

Daniadown Metropolitan Duvet $69 Daniadown - Bedding - The Daniadown Metropolitan Down-Alternative Comforter presents an alternative to down with an incredible feel. This duvet comforter is filled with polyester gel fiber, which is soft and silky to the touch. The four-seasons weight makes the Metropolitan ideal for year-round use. Box baffle construction ensures there is no down shift, eliminating the need for regular fluffing. Polyester gel fiber 100% cotton sateen cover, 230 thread count Year-Round weight Box baffle construction Specifications: Dimensions of twin: 66 W x 84 L Dimensions of double: 80 W x 84 L Dimensions of queen: 90 W x 90 L Dimensions of king: 104 W x 90 L

Should I Give My Kid A Down Comforter?

Who doesn't love down bedding? It's ability to stay soft and cloud like provides comforting warmth on cold nights. But is down bedding right for everyone – can I give it to my children? Down is a soft filling material that is used in a number of bedding products including down pillows, down blankets and of course down comforters. Most down bedding tends to be white and this gives plausible reason for concern to parents. Whether you are wondering if down bedding is the right choice for a 7 year old or a teen we will provide the facts you will need to make an educated buying decision.

Why Use Down Bedding?

Down bedding is soft, fluffy and provides an unmistakable sleeping experience. The soft billowy down combined with crisp cotton is exquisite. Down bedding is actually very easy to clean and can be thrown in the washing machine and dryer for repeated washings. Down bedding is also very allergen blocking friendly and prevents most household allergens such as dust and dander from entering the down comforters. In fact there was an English study which showed that down comforter users had lower allergy issues when compared to users of other types of bedding.

What Size To Buy?

Most children and teens use either a twin bed (which measures 39 x 80) or a full/double bed (which measures 54 x 75). Typically most twin and full size comforters are sized correctly to cover these bed sizes (unlike some promotional store full/queens which are to small on queen beds, and likewise for promotional king size bedding on an actual king mattress). Generally a twin down comforter measures around 68 x 88. A full/double down comforter measures around 81 x 88. Both of these sizes will work great for those size beds (please note you can use a full/double size comforter on a twin mattress – you will just have some extra overhang).

Do I Need a Duvet Cover?

If you are buying the down bedding for your children and want to protect the investment and add some fashion flair – then a down comforter duvet makes perfect sense. Just like your sheets and linens – duvet covers can be removed from a comforter and washed as needed. By having a duvet cover you do not have to wash the comforter as much – if ever! Make sure that your twin size or full/double size duvet cover is no bigger then 2 inches more than the comforter.

What Warmth Level To Buy?

Down bedding keeps your body's natural warmth in regulation. So when buying for a child or teen do not buy too heavy or warm. It is easy to add an additional blanket or sheet if cold – versus a child being too warm due to a too heavy comforter. When buying look for down comforters marked as warm or lightweight' to make sure it is light in warmth coverage.

In summary don't be afraid to treat your children to the same wonderful night's sleep you enjoy. Feel free to purchase down bedding knowing how to buy and properly protect your investment. Properly cared for a twin down comforter can last for several years – you might even need to fight to keep it from going to college with them!

About the Author

To learn more about buying a twin down comforter visit ShopDownLite.com.

Princess Castle Self-Stick Mini Wall Mural 36-Inch x 40-Inch $16.99 Disney Princess Self Stick Mini Mural. Turn your room into a castle with this removable, reusable, repositionable Princess Castle Mini Mural. Perfect as a feature wall. 34" wide x 36.5" high. 3.5 mil heavy duty self adhesive vinyl. Remove and Place....

Natural Comfort Classic Heavy Fill Goose Down Alternative Duvet Insert Comforter, White $150.00 The loft heavy duvet insert comforter is very comfrotable and 100% Allergy Free.The 82"x86"-76OZ for full, 82"x95"-82OZ for Queen and 102"x90" -88OZ for king size....

1200 Thread Count California King 1200TC Siberian Goose Down Comforter 700FP, White 1200 TC $138.44 Package contains 1 Goose Down Comforter in a beautiful zippered package. Wrap yourself in these 100% Egyptian Cotton Superior comforters that are truly worthy of a classy elegant suite, and are found in world class hotels. Woven to a luxurious 1200 threads per square inch,these fine Luxury Bed Duvets are crafted from Long Staple Giza Cotton grown in the lush Nile River Valley since the time of the...

Disney Fairies Self-Stick Giant Wall Sticker $13.85 Disney Fairies Giant Wall Sticker. Disney Tinkerbelle comes to life in the form of giant decorating decals. Removable, Repositionable and Reusable. Perfect for play areas and bedrooms. 2 Giant Wall Stickers 9" x 20". 3.5 mil heavy duty self adhesive vinyl. Remove and Place....

Cars Race Track Self-Stick Mini Wall Mural 31.625-Inch x 28.375-Inch $16.99 Disney Cars Race Track Mini Mural. Piston Cup Series Racing Zooms right into your room with this action packed scenic race around the track. A self stick piece of wall art that is removable and repositionable. 1 mini mural 31" x 28". Remove and Place....

Comforter Duvet