Written by Jessica Timmons, Mattress Clarity Writer
If you’re looking to add a coverlet or quilt to your bed, you may be wondering what makes them different in the first place.
The most significant difference between a coverlet and a quilt is function. While coverlets are lightweight bed covers primarily designed for aesthetics, quilts are intended for both style and warmth. Quilts have three elements, including a decorative top, batting for warmth, and backing on the bottom. Keep reading to learn more about coverlets vs quilts, and which may be best in your bedroom.
What is a Coverlet?
Coverlets are generally made with lightweight, thin materials and mainly serve as decoration. As such, they’re available in multiple prints, patterns, and designs. Coverlets vary in size, from throws to kings, and their lightweight design works particularly well for warm weather. However, they can be paired with a quilt when it’s chilly. Since they come in so many design options, coverlets can freshen up your bedroom decor.
Coverlet Pricing varies depending on size, materials, and style. You can spend anywhere from $30 to several hundred dollars on a coverlet.
What is a Quilt?
Quilts are another type of bed covering, but their purpose isn’t just decoration. Like coverlets, quilts come in multiple patterns and styles, but quilts are designed to add extra weight and warmth. That’s thanks to their three-layer design, which includes a decorated top later, a backing layer (which may also be decorated for reversibility), and a batting layer sandwiched in between. The fill can be made of materials like wool, polyester, or down. These three layers are stitched together to create a quilt.
Depending on the materials used, quilts can be soft and lightweight or heavy and warm. Quilts generally come in standard bedding sizes. The additional material and design means you’ll likely spend more for a quilt than you would a coverlet.
Coverlet vs Quilt: Which One is Right for You?
Deciding between a coverlet and a quilt is a personal decision that will largely depend on how much warmth you need and what you want it to look like. For a pop of color or texture, a coverlet can be a great choice. These lightweight bed coverings don’t add weight or warmth, so they may also be ideal if you live in a warm climate. Their light, thin design means coverlets may also be easier to machine-wash.
A quilt is the better option if you’re looking to add warmth and style to your bedding. Depending on how it was made, a quilt may be too big or heavy to fit into a standard washing machine, so cleaning a quilt may be more involved.
Other Bedding Options
If neither a coverlet nor a quilt sounds appealing, there are other options for your bed.
Comforter
Quilts and comforters have a similar construction. Two pieces of material are sewn together, with an inner fill made of down or down alternative. That makes comforters loftier than most quilts, which tend to be flatter. If the goal is staying warm all night, a comforter is likely a better choice.
Comforters come in standard bedding sizes, and prices vary depending on construction and materials.
RELATED: Quilt vs Comforter
Duvet
The terms duvet and comforter are often used interchangeably, but they describe two different types of bedding. The word “duvet” comes from the French word for down. A duvet is similar to a comforter in that both are made with two pieces of material and a natural or synthetic filling. Traditional duvets are filled with duck or goose down and feathers, but there are down alternatives available as well.
While a comforter functions by itself, duvets are designed to be used with a duvet cover, which protects the duvet. These come in a myriad of colors, patterns, and options, but the duvet itself is generally white. Duvets are fluffy and come in multiple weights to suit different needs and preferences. Depending on the fill and the weight, you can spend hundreds of dollars on a quality duvet. Not all duvets are machine-washable.
Blanket
Different types of bed coverings, including quilts, comforters, and duvets, are lumped into the blanket category. Generally, the term blanket describes a single piece of fabric, such as cotton, muslin, wool, or microfleece, with a finished or decorative edge. Throw blankets generally come in smaller sizes for use on the sofa and aren’t generally big enough to cover an entire mattress.
Many weighted and heated blankets are designed for use on a bed, and you may find them in standard Twin – King sizes. Depending on the blanket size and material, prices can vary pretty significantly.
FAQs
Which is better, a coverlet or quilt?
The question of which is better is personal. If you want a lightweight bed covering, or you want to change up your bed’s aesthetics, a coverlet may be the best choice. To add weight and warmth, a quilt may be the better option. Determining your motivation for adding a coverlet or quilt to your bed is the best day to decide between the two.
What is the purpose of a coverlet?
Coverlets add a lightweight layer to your bedding and come in an array of colors, patterns, and prints. That makes it easy to add visual appeal or contrast to your bedding.
Can you sleep with just a coverlet?
You can sleep with just a coverlet if you choose, but because coverlets are so lightweight, they may not be warm enough.