What's The Difference Between A Duvet And A Comforter? A Crash Course On Beddings

LAZADA

Products recommended on our websites are independently selected by editors. If you buy something through our links, Summit may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Bedding is the general term for the various garments we place over our mattress which range from protectors and bed sheets, to linens used for decorative purposes. Depending on preference, these may be bought individually or as matching sets.

Here's a crash course on beddings when my husband and I attended the Martha Stewart Philippines Grand Launch at SM Makati. Apart from the obvious considerations in size, color, and pattern, there are certain subtleties in material and construction that sets apart a high-quality bedding from a poorly-made one, regardless of price point.

Types of bedding

1. Bed skirt and coverlet

Used primarily for concealing bed legs and underbed storage, the bed skirt covers the bedframe from the mattress platform down to the floor. If storage space is a concern, a less massive alternative comes without a surface for the platform, but with elastic bands that fasten along the sides of the bed frame.

SP top online picks:

Pleated bed skirt in plain neutral colors that never goes out of style. Buy it on Lazada here.

Ruffled wrap-around bed skirt with minimal ruche for a dainty bedroom vibe. Buy it on Lazada here.

2. Mattress protector

Keeping sweat and body oil from fully penetrating into the mattress and preserving it against dust mites, bed bugs, spills, and mold require a protector. They can either be waterproof or made from thick fabric and may be configured as strapped, fitted, or encased.

Protectors with elastic straps sit atop and are anchored to the mattress at its corners, while the fitted ones wrap around at all four sides. Encasement protectors, on the other hand, are zipped throughout and cover the entire mattress from top to bottom.

SP top online picks:

Quilted mattress cover with side elastic straps for a textured topper protector in white. Buy it on Lazada here.

Fitted mattress cover in vibrant colors at the most affordable price. Buy it on Lazada here.

3. Bottom sheet

This is locally known as the ‘bed sheet’ or the ‘fitted sheet,’ and it can be fully gartered at the edges or partially around the corners. The ideal bottom sheet fits snugly onto the mattress and resists movement as we sleep.

SP top online picks:

Full-garter 100% cotton bed sheet in various prints and shades of multiple colors. Buy it on Lazada here.

Silky soft hotel-quality bed sheet in multiple colors. Buy it on Lazada here.

4. Top sheet

Known as the ‘flat sheet’ which lays over the bottom sheet with the top end open. It is made with lightweight material and often serves as a thin blanket in hot weather or in rooms without air conditioning.

SP top online picks:

Washed polyester flat sheet that is soft and budget-friendly. Buy it on Lazada here.

Floral-printed flat sheet that is quintessentially Filipino–practical and functional. Buy it on Lazada here.

5. Comforter, duvet, and quilt

All of these serve the purpose of providing warmth as we sleep, but the primary difference among the three of them is in their configuration.

A comforter is a stuffed blanket made of a durable shell that does not require additional covers for protection. The shell is sewn over and around the stuffing to ensure even distribution, which also makes it a one-piece item that we can throw into the washer at any time.

A duvet is a pillow-like fabric bag stuffed with natural or synthetic filling that is protected by an interchangeable case known as the ‘duvet cover.’ It is kept in place inside with snaps, buttons, or ties. And while not as convenient to wash, one duvet and several covers of varying prints, colors, and textures allow more styling options that can be stored for a fraction of closet space than multiple comforters.

Lastly, a quilt is a lighter and less fluffy alternative to comforters and duvets. It is padded rather than stuffed, and lays flat on the bed. More often, if the quilt is not used as a primary blanket for temperate nights, it stays on the bed during the day for decorative reasons.

SP top online picks:

Stuffed comforter in contemporary prints for the contemporary home. Buy it on Lazada here.

Weighted duvet filler in semi-luxury down (feather) alternative. Buy it on Lazada here.

Reversible quilt for dual styling options for the price of one. Buy it on Lazada here.

Top zip duvet cover in cotton and rayon blend for a cool and lustrous feel. Buy it on Lazada here.

6. Bedspread and throw

Both are style-focused and mostly used as finishing layers to the arrangement. Bedspreads are usually oversized, heavily-embellished fabric coverings that engulf the bed and graze the floor, while throws are smaller top-layer fabrics that give a pop of color or texture to the bed setup.

SP top online picks:

Princess bedspread in pale ecru lace for a delicate touch. Buy it on Lazada here.

Handmade macrame runners as bed throws for an eclectic chic bedroom. Buy it on Lazada here.

7. Pillows and cases

Sleeping pillows and pillowcases in the Philippines often come in four sizes measured by their height and length: standard (20" x 26"); queen (20" x 30"); king (20" x 36"); and body (20" x 54"). Usual pillow stuffing include down feathers or memory foam for premium products; cotton or wool for mid-range options; and polyester fiberfill, foam trimmings, or microbeads on the cheaper end.

Standard bolster pillows are seven inches in diameter and are categorized by size based on their length: small (30"); medium (36"); and large (44").

Throw pillows come in many shapes and sizes with the most common being round and square in 18", 20", 22", or 24" sizing options, and the rectangular lumbar pillow that is usually 16" in height and 20" in length.

SP top online picks:

Goose down pillow for the ultimate luxury sleeping comfort. Buy it on Lazada here.

Extra-fluffy bolster pillow from a well-loved and well-trusted local brand. Buy it on Lazada here.

Velveteen pouf throw pillow that can be used on the bed or on the floor. Buy it on Lazada here.

Bedding fabrics

How the mattress and bedding layers feel against our skin has a significant impact on how well we sleep. Fabrics dictate whether our bedding would feel smooth and silky, cool and crisp, or cozy and warm. Cotton, polyester, wool, and silk are among the widely available choices currently.

1. Cotton

Always the most popular due to its naturally breathable quality, bedding made from regular cotton are great mid-range products that are soft to the touch. For the luxury range, Egyptian cotton sets the bar high with its extra-long fibers that produce finer yarns and a superior cooling feel. For warmer sheets, flannel made from carefully brushed cotton is a thicker alternative that effectively holds in body heat.

SP top online picks:

100% cotton pillowcase in prints and plains from a longtime mall brand. Buy it on Lazada here.

Flannel lumbar pillowcase in loud prints that resemble modern-day museum art. Buy it on Lazada here.

2. Polyester

This material is ever-present due to it being the most affordable. Polyester is composed of synthetic fibers which make it soft and extremely low maintenance, durable, wrinkle-resistant, and shrink-free even when machine-washed.

Fleece is also an offshoot of polyester that offers more warmth than flannel. The downside, though—not just with fleece but with polyester in general—is that unless our air-conditioner is working at full blast, we would be prone to midnight sweats because this kind of fabric is not breathable at all.

SP top online picks:

Ribbed fleece blanket with extra texture for extra warmth. Buy it on Lazada here.

Plain cool-touch mattress protector in durable polyester. Buy it on Lazada here.

3. Wool

Another organic option that competes with cotton in its marketability is wool sourced from sheep or lamb. It is a high-grade fabric that is reasonably priced especially in the Philippines, because it tends to be more apt for cold weathers that are rare in a tropical climate.

SP top online picks:

Double-sided wool blanket with plain and textured surfaces in two colorways. Buy it on Lazada here.

Rhombus-knit wool throw best for staying warm in cold December nights. Buy it on Lazada here.

4. Silk

Nothing compares to the buttery-smooth softness of silk sheets. They are hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, friction-resistant, and repellent of mites and mold, but their steep price point is not for the faint of heart. Its lustrous quality also poses a challenge when keeping pillows in place as we sleep, or when rinsing off soapy water as we wash.

SP top online picks:

Polyblend silk bedding set as a lustrous alternative for authentic silk. Buy it on Lazada here.

Pearl satin flat sheet for a cost-efficient silk substitute that gives off the same soft-feel. Buy it on Lazada here.

Thread count, or the number of horizontal and vertical threads per square inch, also affects the hand-feel of fabrics. Higher counts typically equate to softer sheets that take a while to fray, and good sheets have a thread count of anything between 200 to 800. Some manufacturers, though, claim unrealistic figures by counting multiple intertwined yarns per weave that often detracts from the quality of the bedding.

A low thread count does not necessarily mean low-quality, however. With the proper technique and finishing, a 200-count fabric may come out better than one with inflated numbers. When looking for thrifty options, it is always better to go with lower thread counts from a trust-worthy brand, than high counts from dubious sellers.

And so, what became of my purchase that day? Well, by the time I wrapped up this crash course with my husband, the malls were about to close and I, of course, squandered his sacrifice by coming home empty-handed. I always need more time to decide and thank the heavens that I married a patient man.

Visit the Martha Stewart kiosks for softlines, such as bedding, kitchen fabrics, and dining linen essentials at the G/F of SM Makati.