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While the right mattress might make for a painless night’s sleep, and the best sheets will keep you perfectly comfortable during that sleep, a duvet cover does double duty — it protects your comforter and adds a design element to your bed, tying everything together. Because a duvet cover isn’t typically what you’re sleeping directly on or under, choosing one is often more about aesthetics and style than fabrication. But if you are after a very specific feel — or if you forego a flat sheet altogether — you can of course get duvet covers in a range of materials including cotton, linen, and alternative fibers like bamboo. To find the best duvet covers, I talked to 22 interior designers and other folks we trust (including Strategist staffers) about their favorites (and even tested a couple myself). The resulting recommendations include luxurious hotel-style duvet covers, brightly patterned statement pieces, plenty of linen, and velvet, brocade, and waffle-textured styles that are perfect for cooler weather ahead. The prices shown are for queen-size duvet covers unless otherwise noted.
What we’re looking for
Material
Like sheets, duvet covers come in a range of fabrics. But the most common material is cotton (whether in a percale or sateen weave) or linen. That doesn’t mean, however, that your bedding has to be made up of all one fabric. As Lee Mayer, CEO of online interior-design service Havenly, told us when we spoke to her about how to create tonal bedding, putting together an appealing bedscape is “all about layering and texture.” Even if your sheets are a crisp percale, your duvet cover doesn’t have to be. In fact, adding a rumpled linen duvet cover or a shiny velvet one can provide contrast and a little more texture.
Still, some fabrics are heftier than others, and depending on the season, you may want to change out your duvet covers a couple of times a year. A cotton percale cover will feel — and look — lighter than a velvet one, for example. Linen, on the other hand, varies in weight, and can work in both warm and cool weather.
Style
As mentioned above, a duvet cover can be your chance to add a bit of color, texture, and visual interest to your bed. Even if you prefer solid sheets, you may want to play around with a striped duvet, or one in a subtle floral pattern, or something in a plush velvet.
Best overall duvet cover
Material: Cotton percale, Lightweight | Style: 15 colors
A classic cotton duvet cover goes a long way in creating a pleasing, go-with-everything bedscape. This one from Brooklinen, maker of some of our favorite bedding — including (affordable) linen and sateen sheets — is made from 270-thread-count long-staple percale cotton and comes recommended by interior designer Ghislaine Viñas. “We use a lot of white bedding only, so this is a great, easy, and comfy staple we suggest to clients,” she says. It comes in 13 other colors and patterns, if you’re looking for a twist on the classic. Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang also owns this, telling us that her daughter has been using it for four years. “The percale is smooth and soft,” she says, and “feels cool and never clammy.” (That’s because percale is also known to be breathable and one of the best weaves for hot sleepers, another reason why it’s one of my personal favorite materials to sleep in.) It’s also a great value at under $150, making it our top choice.
Best (less expensive) overall duvet cover
Material: Cotton, Lightweight | Style: Striped, five colors
A plain white (or other solid color) bed isn’t for everyone, so if you’re looking for something more festive, check out this duvet cover that’s patterned with thick stripes that former Strategist writer (and stripe chronicler) Hilary Reid owns in light blue. (It’s also a Strategist-reader favorite.) While cabana stripes are inherently bolder due to their thicker width, Reid says that “for a bedspread, I prefer them to be a bit subdued,” like they are on this style from Hay. She likes that the duvet cover’s white stripes aren’t pure white — “more like a very light, almost-blue-sage green” — and that the blue is a “lovely shade of periwinkle, which looks equally elegant and subdued as it does beachy.” Reid adds that the duvet cover’s cotton material is “soft and cool” and doesn’t get too wrinkly, either, which makes me think it’s made from percale, even though the product description doesn’t specify. In addition to the light blue shown above, it comes in four other colorways, including dark green and yellow stripes.
Best percale duvet cover
Material: Cotton, Lightweight | Style: 10 colors
If you’re committed to percale for its crisp and cool feel, Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens recommends Parachute’s percale duvet cover, which she says was “cool to the touch right out of the box, like it had already been washed a hundred times, but still felt crisp.” After sleeping with a linen duvet for five years, Kitchens says it was “very light and very soft” in comparison and also felt “airy and responsive to my very high-loft down comforter.” It’s made in Portugal out of Oeko-Tex-certified long-staple Egyptian cotton that Kitchens describes as “quiet”: “Linen and certain cottons, no matter how soft they feel, can still create a rustling sound when you touch them. This duvet’s light weight lets you slip in without making a lot of noise.” Kitchens got it in Haze, which she describes as a “dusty, mauvy lavender that feels calming without looking especially feminine,” but it’s also available in nine other colors. Another detail she appreciates is a subtle stitched edge detail, which she says “doesn’t look overly traditional but is a nice touch when you notice it.”
Best hotel-style duvet cover
Material: Cotton percale, Lightweight | Style: Border pattern, five colors
Italian heritage brand Frette is synonymous with luxe bedding, with its sheets outfitting some of the world’s most famous hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and the Mandarin Oriental. Besides lending an air of elegance to your bed, Frette linens are famously comfortable. “The fabric is of the highest quality: durable yet soft as silk to the touch, which is important because with a duvet cover, the breathability of the fabric has a direct effect on how restful your sleep will be,” says architect and interior designer Campion Platt of Campion Platt Interiors. But Frette bedding can be expensive, which is why we were thrilled to learn about its robust sale section that sells duvet covers for 50 percent off, including this one that looks very similar to the brand’s classic hotel-style duvet cover. It’s made from percale and is embellished with one subtle line of satin-stitch embroidery (as opposed two on the classic style).
[Editor’s note: In previous versions of this story, we included a duvet cover from the brand’s diffusion line, Frette at Home, which is now discontinued. This on-sale duvet cover is similar to one from that line and is the same price.]
Best (less expensive) hotel-style duvet cover
Material: Cotton percale, Lightweight | Style: Four colors
You can also achieve that hotel feel for less with this Snowe duvet cover I’ve had for over four and half years (and used it as my only duvet cover for most of that time). It has held up beautifully — it’s still as clean, smooth, and crisp as day one. The brand sent me the slate blue to test, a color that I think works like a neutral, and I love the way it looks on our bed, both during cooler and warmer months. It also has a thread count of 500 (the highest thread count of any cover on this list, if that matters to you), and a subtle embroidered border that makes it look much more high-end than it is. Other touches I appreciate are the rubberized buttons on the bottom closure that keeps the comforter securely within and the whole thing looking polished.
Best patterned cotton duvet cover
Material: Cotton sateen | Lightweight | Style: Floral
If you’re looking for a patterned duvet cover, designer Ariel Okin recommends Texas-based Biscuit Home as a great source for duvet covers with interesting designs. Options range from more traditional florals and splatterware to neon cacti and tiny constellation prints. The covers are made from cotton sateen, and matching sham covers are available to purchase separately. The florals are a bit reminiscent of the much pricier D. Porthault’s patterns, making these a good option for those looking for a budget version of the French house’s linens. I was sent a set of sheets as well as this duvet cover to test in this lovely periwinkle-y floral pattern with red accents. Incredibly soft and lightweight, the cover brightens up the bedroom without being too precious and feels perfect for warmer weather. Because it’s made from sateen, this has a smoother, warmer look (and feel) than the Snowe cover, which is made from percale.
Best linen duvet cover
Material: European flax linen, Lightweight | Style: 13 colors
Linen sheets have become so popular over the past five years that it’s not surprising that duvet covers made out of the more “lived-in” material have also emerged as a favorite among the experts I talked to for this story. Parachute’s linen sheets are our best-in-class pick, so it makes sense that the brand’s duvet cover also comes highly recommended by three of our experts (plus Strategist writer Dominique Pariso): interior designer Madison Shoemaker, Vanessa Alexander of Alexander Design, and designer Tina Rich. “I almost always choose linen because I love the laid-back look,” Rich told us. Plus, you can branch out from basic white or flax-colored linen with Parachute’s saturated shades that include indigo, ochre, and a dusty pink. Shoemaker calls the duvet cover “casual and comfortable,” especially for those who sleep hot, “as the linen is breathable and provides more insulation than cotton.” She notes that the brand uses 100 percent European flax, “which starts out soft and only gets softer over time.” Another feature that she likes is that the duvet cover is great for pets: “It’s an easy-to-clean material that resists dog hair,” Shoemaker says. Pariso calls this a “really nice beginner linen” for those looking to try linen bedding without committing to a full set of sheets. Parachute sent me the cover in Coal to test, and I found it to be frankly softer and more comfortable than the brand’s linen sheets. I also loved the dark color, which I’d never incorporated into my bed before, and thought it worked quite nicely in a moody, rumpled way. In addition to Coal, it’s available in 12 other muted colors.
Best (less expensive) linen duvet cover
Material: Washed linen, Lightweight | Style: Five colors
Linen can be pricier than cotton, so for something more affordable, Emmanuelle Bernard, the founder of Hoem, recommends this linen duvet cover as a relatively budget-friendly option. One thing she likes about it is that it comes in a range of colors. (She particularly likes the baby-pink shade and suggests pairing it with contrasting pillows to achieve a Scandinavian look.) “Linen duvet covers in pastel hues are my favorite because they give a boho sort of look to my bedroom,” says Bernard, who notes that this model is stonewashed, which gives it “a vintage look, makes it very comfortable,” and even makes it more natural-looking because it “comes with some wrinkles.”
Softest linen duvet cover
Material: French and Belgian flax linen, midweight | Style: 13 colors
For the linen duvet cover with the softest hand feel, you’ll want to check out Morrow’s Heirloom Linen duvet cover, which is made with prewashed French and Belgian flax. “Of all the linen duvets I’ve slept on, Morrow’s are the softest to me by far,” says Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens. And while Kitchens has noticed that certain linen companies use a hardier, sometimes rougher fabric for the cover than its sheets, Morrow does not.
Courtney Laine, owner of Victorian bed and breakfast Batterby House and Batterby Cottage in Hudson, New York, settled on Morrow after comparing four different brands of duvet covers. (They pair them with Pottery Barn Sleepsmart duvets, our pick for the best temperature-regulating comforter, and guests regularly rave about their bedding experience at the inn.) “We ultimately felt that Morrow provided the best combination of qualities: great-looking, soft, breathable linen,” she told us. “And they’re durable enough to endure the regular laundering that comes with running a boutique hotel.” In addition to just how nice they feel, Kitchens appreciates Morrow’s rich color options. “I’ve spent a lot of time studying various linen companies’ color swatches (still bored by the all-white bed), and I love Morrow’s range,” she says. “There’s something slightly elevated about it.” Kitchens owns the shade “willow,” a mossy green-brown, and pairs it with the brand’s (Strategist-approved) matte sateen sheets in terracotta. Another detail that Kitchens points out is the duvet’s zip closure, which she says “makes for a neater-looking bed.”
Best (less expensive) softest linen duvet cover
Material: European flax, midweight | Style: 19 colors
Like Morrow’s, this duvet cover from Quince is made from prewashed European flax and has that out-of-the-box softness that’s so comforting — and for less than half the price. I was sent a sample to test, and as soon as I put it on my bed, I knew that I would have trouble getting up in the morning, because it felt so nice to the touch. (And much softer than another linen duvet I’d bought a couple years ago.) I love its lived-in, casual feel that never looks sloppy and only gets softer over time. I got it in a soothing “mist” color that’s been perfect for the summer, but because it’s on the neutral side, it would transition just as nicely into fall (and beyond).
Linen duvet cover with best color range
Material: European flax, Lightweight | Style: 18 colors
If you’re looking for a linen duvet that comes in a range of colors, consider this one from Cultiver that Rich calls “amazingly soft.” “I’m such a fan of this linen duvet cover,” which is prewashed and woven from European flax, Rich says, naming olive, sage, and dusk as three of her favorite colors it comes in. There are an impressive 19 total colors to choose from, which is what drew Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang to this cover. “I love Cultiver’s muted palette, which is especially well suited to linen,” she says. “The fabric itself was one of the more durable ones I’ve come across, as far as linen bedding goes, though still lightweight and soft.” Yang owned it for five years. Other touches like mother-of-pearl button closures give the duvet cover a luxe touch, and you can buy matching pillowcases separately should you want everything to look coordinated.
Most durable linen duvet cover
Material: Organic linen, Midweight | Style: Seven colors
Coyuchi is another linens-maker we’ve written about before: The brand produces some of our favorite towels and jersey and linen sheets, so we weren’t too surprised to hear that Yang and Ashley Goldman, the founder of the Gold Hive are fans of its chambray, heathered-linen duvet cover. While pricey, “all of their products meet strict standards,” says Goldman. Yang, who switched from the Cultiver cover to this one about a year and a half ago, agrees. “It’s really well made, probably the nicest duvet cover we’ve ever owned,” she says. “The details and finishing are really great. I like how the buttons are placed to sit hidden inside.” Plus, it’s durable: “It gets a lot of wear because both the cat and dog sleep on our bed.” Yang says it’s “much thicker than any other linen bedding item I’ve ever owned” but “still airy and breathable,” making it great for use all year. “It basically only leaves our bed to get washed, then goes right back on,” she adds.
Best luxury linen duvet cover
Material: Linen, Lightweight | Style: 10 colors
Matteo’s sheets are among the softest linen sheets we’ve tested, so it comes as no surprise that its duvet covers came recommended by two interior designers. Alexander told us she “tends to incorporate a lot of linen duvets in my designs,” and that her “absolute favorite is Matteo bedding” because its fabric is “really luxurious, all made in L.A., and perfect without being fussy.” Designer Leanne Ford agrees: “Matteo has incredible soft fabrics and textures in gorgeous, rich colors.” Matteo’s duvet covers are made with zipper closures and come in nine different colors including clay, black, and pine green.
Best reversible duvet cover
Material: Hemp, Midweight | Style: 11 colors, four reversible
According to interior designer Elizabeth Gill, this would be a great duvet cover “for those who like to sleep naked” because one side of the reversible bedding is made of a natural hemp fabric that “feels soft to the skin.” The other side is a crisp cotton, and the ability to flip from one to the other allows you to “create a comfortable look for any bedroom.” Shown in a version with a natural-colored hemp side and white-colored cotton side, you can get the duvet cover in four more styles (including one that’s white on both sides).
Best waffle duvet cover
Material: Waffle weave cotton, Midweight | Style: Five colors
A woven duvet cover, like this one, can add a bit more visual interest to your bed without the statement-making look of a louder pattern. Shoemaker says this style is “subtle and luxurious” thanks to its 100 percent waffle-weave cotton material, which gives it a natural woven look that she calls cozy, comfortable, and sophisticated. New York Magazine deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff owns this cover and loves its waffle-y look and the fact that it’s on the thicker side, making it ideal for colder months. Available in five colors including white, gray, and midnight blue, the duvet cover is reversible (its other side has a smoother cotton-percale weave).
Best velvet duvet cover
Material: Cotton velvet, Midweight | Style: Four colors
Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters of Atlanta-based interior-design studio Forbes+Masters recommend this velvet duvet cover, calling the bedding “so classic” and great for “year-round use” because its cotton-velvet exterior is backed with natural flax-hued Belgian linen (so you’re not actually sleeping beneath velvet). It’s available in seven jewel tones, including dark green, navy, gray, and ivory, and you can purchase matching shams separately if you want a more cohesive look.
Best (less expensive) velvet duvet cover
Material: Viscose-blended velvet, Midweight | Style: Eight colors
For a velvet duvet cover with a bit more texture, try this one that comes recommended by Decorilla design expert Devin Shaffer, who calls its crushed (not smooth) fabrication “avant garde.” The finish, he explains, adds makes it a bit more luxe and glamorous. Made from a viscose blend with cotton backing, the duvet cover is available in eight shades including blush, stone, blue, and platinum — and also comes with two matching shams.
Best jacquard duvet cover
Material: Cotton jacquard, Midweight | Style: Two colors
Atlanta-based interior designer Leah Alexander says that the “Estela duvet cover is bold and graphic but simple and versatile.” After buying it for her own bed, former Strategist writer Chloe Anello says she couldn’t agree more: “I like patterns and prints and color,” she says, “while my boyfriend likes black, white, and occasionally navy blue,” adding that the duvet cover checks all their boxes. If you want a punchier look, it pairs well with colorful sheets. But the duvet cover will look just as nice with simple white ones, too.
Best microfiber duvet cover
Material: Microfiber, Lightweight | Style: Nine colors
For something that’s affordable, super-soft, and a somewhat playful, consider this one that Shaffer calls his “go-to bedding for the past few years.” Made with a soft microfiber, it uses oversize ties for fastening — Shaffer calls them no-fuss — that give the duvet cover a more casual, bohemian feel. He prefers the khaki color shown, which he says “creates a backdrop for a variety of throws and pillows.”
Best sateen lyocell duvet cover
Material: Bamboo lyocell, Lightweight | Style: 12 colors
Unlike the cotton or linen duvet covers on this list, this one from Ettitude is made from organic bamboo lyocell fabric, which has natural thermoregulating (a.k.a. cooling) abilities, in a sateen weave, making it a great option for folks who sleep hot. It comes recommended by Jess Blumberg of Dale Blumberg Interiors. “It’s modern, minimal, and super-soft,” she says of the silky-smooth duvet cover available in summery shades like mint and sky blue. “And it doesn’t hurt that it’s sustainable, hypoallergenic, and relatively affordable, too.”
Material: Supima cotton sateen | Lightweight | Style: Custom color
When you need a very specific shade of blue or mauve to complete your bedroom vision, Flaneur will custom-dye a Supima-cotton duvet in a sateen weave just for you. “Flaneur is my go-to for duvet covers because of the amazing quality and color-customization option,” says designer Sasha Bikoff. “In a bedroom, the duvet’s purpose is to either introduce a burst of a new shade or to perfectly match the rest of the existing hues, so Flaneur allowing clients to choose from any existing Pantone color is an amazing option.” You can order a custom color by submitting RGB value, HEX code, Pantone code, or the name of the paint through the “Color Concierge” form and your bedding will be dyed to order just for you. The company also offers a ready-to-order duvet cover in white. Each cover comes with a zipper enclosure.
Best (glow in the dark) flannel duvet cover
Material: Cotton flannel | Midweight | Style: Glow-in-the-dark
If this duvet cover looks familiar to you, it’s because you’ve seen it on the beds of not one, not two, but three celebrities: singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, actor Diana Silvers, and singer-songwriter Gracie Abrams. Strategist deals writer Leah Muncy noticed the “decidedly tasteful” duvet on their Instagram accounts and, after some intense sleuthing, found it came from Garnet Hill and has a surprisingly affordable price. The cotton flannel cover’s design, complete with glow-in-the-dark stars, is kitschy in a good way. If it’s too playful for an adult, we think it’s a stellar option for kids.
Some more duvet covers we’ve written about
Our experts
• Leah Alexander, interior designer
• Vanessa Alexander, Alexander Design
• Emmanuelle Bernard, founder of Hoem
• Sasha Bikoff, interior designer
• Jess Blumberg, Dale Blumberg Interiors
• Tavia Forbes, Forbes+Masters
• Leanne Ford, interior designer
• Elizabeth Gill, interior designer
• Ashley Goldman, The Gold Hive
• Simone Kitchens, Strategist senior editor
• Courtney Laine, owner of Batterby House
• Monet Masters, Forbes+Masters
• Ariel Okin, interior designer
• Dominique Pariso, Strategist writer
• Campion Platt, Campion Platt Interiors
• Madison Shoemaker, interior designer
• Hilary Reid, former Strategist writer
• Tina Rich, interior designer
• Devin Shaffer, Decorilla design expert
• Alexis Swerdloff, deputy editor at New York Magazine
• Ghislaine Viñas, interior designer
• Winnie Yang, Strategist senior editor
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