Duvets vs. Comforters: Who Wins?

What's the difference between a duvet and a comforter? Which one is right for you? With the winter weather coming on, all I can think about is how nice and cozy it is under the covers. But what covers to choose? At department stores and specialty bedding stores, the choices can be overwhelming. Comforters, quilts, bedspreads, duvets, duvet covers, bed in a bag, the choices seem endless. But the majority of people looking for a nice, warm bed cover usually opt for either a comforter or a duvet. A comforter is a warm, thick blanket sometimes with quilting that is used to cover your bed sheets. A duvet, which means "down" in French (many times they are filled with down), is often synonymous with "duvet cover", but really they are two different things. The duvet is the insert that is placed inside of a duvet cover, just like a pillowcase.

Comforters and duvets both have pros and cons, so there's no clear winner. If you can't decide which works for you, I've got a few tips to help you decide. See which statements you identify with and find out which is the best choice for you:

I change my bedding like I change my shoes.
If you're like me, you might want to change your bedding often. That might mean it's a good idea to get a more flexible bedding solution. You can put any number of duvet covers on your duvet, so it's a great option for the fickle-minded. Plus, duvet covers are really easy to store since they fold up about the size of a towel. Try fitting four comforters in your teeny apartment closet!

I keep the same bedding all season long, sometimes all year long!
I used to have one comforter all year long. In the summertime, I folded it up at the bottom of my bed and only used it on really chilly nights. If you still use the same comforter that you did in your dorm room, or you don't really follow trends, a comforter will definitely work best for you. As long as you're okay looking at the same thing every day of the year, there is no reason for you to spend extra money on multiple duvet covers. If you're really feeling in a rut, get a great patterned throw to spice it up!

You're supposed to wash your bedding?
Yes, you are supposed to wash your bedding. Washing your sheets is not enough, especially if you have pets or kids. Be sure to wash your comforter at least once a month. Many times, with a queen size or king size comforter will not fit in a standard washing machine. This proves difficult for many home owners, and often times they have to bring the comforter to a dry cleaner. If you're OK with sending your comforter to the dry cleaners each month or you have an oversized washing machine, then the comforter option is a great choice for you.

I wash my bedding every week.
If you wash your bedding often, a duvet is definitely for you. Duvet covers remove easily for quick washing. You can probably fit it in the washing machine with the sheets for your weekly cleaning. If you have pets, like me, you will definitely want to opt for this option because (trust me) accidents happen!

I don't mind spending a lot of money on good bedding.
This goes for both comforters and duvets. If you do plan on purchasing one comforter, be sure that it's of good quality. You will want a medium-to-thick weight comforter with a high thread count. Thread count means the number of threads woven together in a square inch. You get the thread count by counting length-wise and width-wise threads. That means that a 200 thread count sheet has 100 length-wise threads woven with 100 width-wise threads. Comforters with high thread counts are typically a pricier option than your run-of-the-mill one. But, if you're going to keep it for many years you definitely want to invest in a good one.

Duvets won't be any cheaper. Actually, they are the more expensive option. First, you need to purchase the duvet insert, and depending on whether you opt for ultra-plush or real feather down, they can run a few hundred dollars! But, your shopping trip isn't over yet. Now, you have to purchase a duvet cover. These can also run $100 or more, so in total, you can spend as much as an entire bedding ensemble! Then if you decide to change your bedding, you will spend another $100 or so on a new cover. It can definitely add up!

Whether you choose a comforter or a duvet, both ultimately do the same thing: keep you warm and protect your sheets.