What Is the Best Material for a Duvet Cover?
Like many bedding decisions, determining the best duvet cover material is often a matter of personal preference. Choosing the right fabric not only provides comfortable warmth—this popular piece effectively adds two extra layers to the bed—but also influences the aesthetic of your bedroom. Explore our Duvet Cover Material Guide and learn the benefits of the different options you’ll find in our collection.
The Best Duvet Cover Material Options for Comfort
Let your priorities determine your choice for the most comfortable duvet cover fabric: Whether you prefer to cuddle under warm, cozy layers, sleep best in a cool environment, or love to snuggle up beneath sumptuously soft bedding, you’ll find duvet cover fabrics to complement your personal style and sleeping preferences. Pair your pick with a duvet insert in your ideal weight to create a bedding environment perfectly suited to you.
Softest Duvet Cover Materials
If you plan to forgo a top sheet in favor of a duvet cover, a material’s texture becomes an increasingly important factor in choosing the best option: The duvet cover will rest directly against the skin, so comfort is essential. When it comes to the softest fabric, TENCEL™ Lyocell duvet covers take the top spot: The semi-synthetic material is made by extruding natural wood pulp into supremely smooth fibers that are woven into a fabric with a buttery-soft texture and lustrous drape.
Aside from TENCEL™ Lyocell, these materials are the softest for duvet covers and other bedding items:
- Egyptian and Supima® cottons are superior, long-staple versions of the popular natural fiber, and are favored for their exceptional softness and durability.
- Linen is stiff at first but gets softer and softer over time. (Bonus: Our linen duvet covers are pre-washed for softness, so you avoid that stiff first use).
- Rayon made from bamboo is soft as well as naturally hypoallergenic, so it’s ideal for sleepers with sensitive skin. Most of our rayon made from bamboo bedding is blended with cotton, so you can enjoy the benefits of both materials.
Lightest Duvet Cover Materials for Hot Sleepers
If you’re prone to waking up sweaty, live in a warm climate, or tend to sleep hot, you don’t want to add any extra warmth to the bed. Consider lightweight, breathable, or moisture-wicking materials for optimal comfort from a duvet cover.
| Material | Feels | Primary Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Linen | Softens with every wash | Breathable and cool to the touch, ideal for all-seasons comfort |
| Cotton Percale | Crisp and cool | Breathable, durable |
| TENCEL™ Lyocell | Soft and gentle on the skin | Sustainable and biodegradable, breathable, and moisture-wicking |
| Bamboo Rayon | Soft and smooth to the touch | Ultra-durable, hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and absorbent |
What Is the Most Breathable Duvet Cover Material?
Laid-back linen is the lightest and most breathable duvet cover material—its naturally hollow fibers allow for ample air circulation. Any fabric made from natural materials will offer some amount of breathability. Steer clear of polyesters and other synthetic materials, which are less breathable than natural alternatives.
Warmest Duvet Cover Materials for Cold Sleepers
If you’re prone to waking up sweaty, live in a warm climate, or tend to sleep hot, you don’t want to add any extra warmth to the bed. Consider lightweight, breathable, or moisture-wicking materials for optimal comfort from a duvet cover.
| Material | Feels | Primary Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton Sateen | Buttery soft with a tight weave | Warm and heavy, subtle sheen for an elegant look, smooth surface resists wrinkles |
| Cotton Jersey Knit | Soft like your favorite T-shirt | Easy-care material resists wrinkles, breathable |
| Cotton Flannel | Fuzzy and cozy | Traps body heat and blocks out cold so you stay warm |
Does Thread Count Matter for Duvet Covers?
The higher the thread count of a woven fabric, the tighter its weave—and the warmer it is. The best thread count for woven fabrics depends on personal preference: Cool linen and cotton percale duvet covers feature lower thread counts for summer comfort, while fabrics such as sateen have a higher thread count more suitable for winter warmth.
Consider Finish and Texture When Choosing a Duvet Cover
All of our duvet covers are made with premium materials for superior softness, but each fabric features a distinct texture to meet various comfort preferences and offers a different finish to create an aesthetic that suits your space.
- Dress up your dorm room bed or bring a carefree touch to the main bedroom with relaxed duvet cover fabrics. A cotton jersey knit duvet cover offers the worn-in appeal of a beloved t-shirt, while linen’s natural slub texture imparts an informal aesthetic to the bed.
- Decide what kind of elevated look you desire: TENCEL™ Lyocell, cotton sateen, and other fabrics with a subtle sheen bring a lustrous touch to the bed, while crisp, matte cotton percale offers a look more in line with sumptuous hotel bedding.
- Choose a material that looks and feels seasonally appropriate. Cotton seersucker instantly signals breezy summer vibes, while a warm flannel duvet cover is a classic choice for cozy comfort during cold winter nights.
- Consider prints, patterns, and colors and choose a duvet cover that coordinates with your walls, other bedding, and furniture. Classic stripes, beautiful botanicals, and festive plaids suit many types of spaces, while neutral hues may suit multi-use spaces such as a guest room that doubles as a home office.
Choose the right duvet cover material to make the most comfortable bed, and opt for a finish and pattern—or solid—that suits your personal style preferences. For more bedding inspiration and ideas, explore our other Guides.