Duvet Buying Guide
Duvet Buying Guide
Choose the right duvet for you
A duvet can determine a good night's rest - too heavy and you could be tossing and turning all night, too light and you could be up all night. The great thing about duvets is that there are a range of different types to choose from - if you prefer to be warm and cosy in a thicker duvet, then perhaps a duvet with a higher tog rating is for you. If you prefer to stay cool while you sleep, then you could choose a duvet with a lower tog rating. Depending on your own personal preference, the duvet you choose should be above all comfortable, cosy and something you look forward to coming home to at night! From the warmth if the duvet to the filling, our guide will help you discover what you need.
Sizes
Your duvet needs to match the size of your bed and also have enough material for you to snuggle in to at night. If it is too big for your bed, the weight of it can be too heavy - too small and it could slip off easily, leaving you cold. The handy thing about duvets is they match the size of your bed - Single, Double, King or Super King, so you need not worry too much about measuring dimensions. We have developed a size chart that will guide you as to what size you need - each of the sizes will fit the following sized beds.
| Bed Size: | Dimensions: |
|---|---|
| Single (3ft) | 135 x 200cm |
| Double (4ft 6in) | 200 x 200cm |
| King (5ft) | 230 x 220cm |
| Super King (6ft) | 260 x 220cm |
Tog Rating
The tog rating of a duvet refers to its warmth and insulation - the higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet. The tog rating doesn't represent how heavy, light or thick the duvet may be - lightweight duvets can insulate your body just as effectively as heavier ones. Choosing a tog rating completely depends on your sleeping preference - if you like to be warm through the night, a high tog rating is for you, and if you like to be kept cool with a light duvet, you should choose a lower rating.
The most common duvet tog rating that people go for is a rating of between 10 and 13.5 - a duvet with a 10.5 tog rating is warm and cosy, ideal for use all year round. A duvet with a tog rating of 13.5 is ideal for winter or those who like to be warm and cosy in bed all year round. A duvet with a lower tog rating can work well if you like to have blankets on your bed that double up as extra warmth as well as adding a decorative touch.
Duvet Fillings
All our duvets are filled with either natural or synthetic materials. Natural filling are made with feathers or down, while synthetic fillings are man-made fibres. Each has their own range of benefits - only you can select what is best suited to your own individual needs. Natural filled duvets tend to last longer than those with synthetic fillings, while synthetic duvets are better suited to those who would suffer from allergies.All our duvets are filled with either natural or synthetic materials. Natural filling are made with feathers or down, while synthetic fillings are man-made fibres. Each has their own range of benefits - only you can select what is best suited to your own individual needs. Natural filled duvets tend to last longer than those with synthetic fillings, while synthetic duvets are better suited to those who would suffer from allergies.
Natural - Natural duvet fillings include duck and goose feathers and down. These types of duvet fillings breathe easily and mold around the shape of the body to create a comfortable and cosy sleeping experience. Due to the nature of the feathers that blend together, natural fillings keep you cool when you are warm as they keep moisture away from the body, and keep you warm and comfortable when cool due to the insulation and softness that feathers offer.
Down - Down is the soft coating that acts like an insulator, or jacket, underneath the birds feathers. When these soft feathers are put into a duvet, they provide a softness and insulation in the duvet that retains warmth. As these feathers do not have the quill like other feathers, they have that extra soft, luxurious feeling. When down and feather duvets are blended together, the result is an ultimately luxurious, soft and warm duvet.
Feather - Duvets filled with feathers - such as duck or goose feathers - are an extremely popular choice due to their lightness, softness and comfort. The natural properties of feathers allow them to blend together and trap air, giving a warm and lightweight duvet. When down and feather duvets are blended together, the result is an ultimately luxurious, soft and warm duvet.
Synthetic - Hollowfibre, microfibre or a blend of both, are both hypoallergenic and extremely easy to look after. People who tend to suffer from allergies or are sensitive to dust are likely to choose a synthetic duvet due to its hypoallergenic material. These types of duvets can be cared for easily as they can be machine washed and tumble dried. As microfibre is silky and soft, it is as close to a natural filling as possible while having the benefit of being hypoallergenic.
Hollowfibre - Hollowfibre is a hypoallergenic material which is very light and fluffy. Due to the lightness of its filling, hollowfibre can be washed regularly and still has a soft and lightweight feel.
Microfibre - Microfibre is a very fine man made fibre, and its components make it twice as soft as silk. When woven into a fabric such as cotton, the result is a silky, soft, luxurious filling that still has a warm and lightweight feel.
Duvets for Children
When it comes to children, a good night's sleep is not only key - it's necessary. These days with all the running around and activities that children are involved in, a good night's sleep is vital for their rest and well-being (as well as yours!). It is recommended that children are over 12 months old before they sleep with a duvet. Children under the age of 10 are recommended to use a duvet with a low to medium tog rating, as they are likely to retain more heat than an older body.
Children over the age of 10 may want a duvet with a tog rating of 10.5 or over as the higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet. Adults usually go for a tog rating of between 10.5 and 13.5. The duvet filling depends on the preference of the sleeper - synthetic materials may suit children better rather than duvets made from natural fillings due to the hypoallergenic materials used, while adults may prefer natural fillings.