recommended by experts

The Best Duvet Covers, According to Experts

Photo: Courtesy of the retailer.

A good duvet cover should be comfortable — that’s a no-brainer for something you sleep under every night. But it should also look good, since you’ll see it every morning and every night. To help you make this critical choice as temperatures start to cool, we asked nine different experts from the world of fashion and interior design to recommend their favourite duvet covers for both style and comfort. Below, you’ll find 11 of the very best, including budget and high-end options, linen and Egyptian cotton choices, and the best duvet covers for aesthetics-conscious parents.

Best all-around duvet covers

Four of our experts recommended H&M Home. Of those four, two specifically chose its linen options — including award-winning design blogger Kate Baxter. “Their 104 thread-count linens are the most affordable I’ve found, which still feel soft and luxurious,” she says. “They also hold their shape and colour well after washing.” While Baxter is a fan of the dark-yellow and old-rose patterns, Athina Bluff — from online interior-design service Topology — prefers the “calming” beige. “It can be combined with any other soft neutral and lots of indoor plants for the ultimate relaxing bedroom haven,” she explains. Outside of linens, design blogger Ruth Matthews recommends the fine-threaded cotton duvet cover in a monochrome striped design, because the “Riviera hotel stripe chic” is perfect for the coming summer months. And Antonia Ludden, founder of interiors blog Tidy Away Today, endorses the simple washed cotton-duvet sets, made from closely woven organic 100 percent cotton in a “relaxed, boho-style” range of colours.

Best (cheaper) duvet covers

ASDA homeware imprint George was recommended by two of our experts. According to writer and interior-design blogger Gina Kay Daniel, George’s Safari bedroom range of bedding sets, rugs, and baskets — since discontinued — was perfect for those with “a creative taste in homeware.” The same range got a thumbs-up from interior and events stylist Maxine Brady, who describes the supermarket brand as “strong on design but easy on the wallet.” Brady also points to the practical poly-cotton fabric in their other bedding, perfect for those who like their bedding fuss-free. “It creases less easily, it retains its colour, and it’s a dream to wash and dry,” she explains. The sheets are even reversible, meaning you can buy two duvet designs for the price of one.

Best direct-to-customer duvet covers

Since it launched in 2017, Sussex-based and UK-made bedding brand Piglet in Bed has cultivated a strong following among those in the know — including two of our experts. “I was so excited to discover them last year,” says designer and creative consultant Matilda Goad. “Once you’ve tried linen, it’s hard to go back — and they offer the perfect kind of linen that looks good unironed.” Goad’s sentiments are echoed by Baxter, who is similarly impressed by the quality of the linen itself. “Their modern rustic collections are made from 100 percent French flax linen, stone-washed for softness,” she says. “They launder beautifully, with very few creases.” Not only do Piglet’s linens not need to be ironed, they’re also tumble-dryer friendly.

Best Egyptian cotton duvet covers

Photo: Amazon

Bedding experts will often talk about thread count, which is the industry term for the number of threads woven within a square inch. John Lewis & Partners offers a thread count of 200 on its duvet covers — an impressive number for the price. “Hotels tend to use sheets and duvets with a thread count of between 250 and 300, but anything from 200 upwards is going to give you a smooth, luxurious feel,” Ludden explains — and Kay Daniel agrees. “It feels supersoft and perfect for all seasons,” she says. They’re made with high-quality Egyptian cotton, a hard-wearing percale weave, and an easy-care finish to minimise ironing. They can be tumble-dried, too.

Best luxury duvet covers

From £250

If you’re looking for something even more luxurious, opt for a monogrammed duvet set from French retailer Yves Delorme. Design consultant Melanie Lissack, owner of Melanie Lissack Interiors, describes its sheets as having a “hotel-luxe touch,” with all its fabrics manufactured in France and all its embroidery hand-stitched. Where the products really stand out, though, is in their thread count — many of the duvet covers have a count of 300 or above.

Best statement duvet covers

Ludden says La Redoute’s designs are both “fashionable and affordable,” specifically recommending the Berber print set. “It’s a Moroccan-inspired, monochrome print with trendy tassels, which you can still machine-wash,” she says. Meanwhile, Matthews preferred the now-discontinued “Keyboard” pattern, which she describes as “very Bloomsbury in essence.” “It would be a great statement in an otherwise calm bedroom,” she explains. This striped set evokes a similar, slightly masculine, touch.

From £130

If you’re looking for something a bit more out-there, Emily Murray, founder of interiors blog the Pink House, recommends Hackney-based designer Emma J. Shipley. “I love all of Emma’s designs and have many of them in the form of cushions, fabrics, and throws, so the fact she now sells bedding is a boon,” Murray says. “The zebra and giraffe pattern is as fabulous and fantastical as her other duvet-cover designs, but it comes in a plain white reversing to a muted eggshell blue, meaning it will work with pretty much any colour scheme. Buy it, then go crazy with the matching Kruger velvet cushions.”

Best cotton-linen combination covers

According to Baxter, “pure linen bedding is not designed for patterns.” She recommends the combi-fabric collection offered by the Secret Linen Store. “It’s woven from a blend of cotton and linen yarns,” she says. “That means the fabric retains the soft, laundered feel of pure linen after washing, and also doesn’t require ironing.” Her favourite is the Ticking Stripe linen in grey, which she says is perfect for a “fresh, nautical-inspired spring update in the bedroom.” Brady, meanwhile, recommends its Sophie Stripe linen in Dazzling Blue. “The blue stripes make the perfect base colour,” she says. “Then you can add a peach throw or mustard velvet yellow cushions to style it up for a relaxed look.”

Best textured duvet covers

While Ikea offers a range of minimalist covers, Topology’s Bluff particularly likes its Ofelia linen range. “Although the white is simplistic, the texture on this duvet cover adds heaps of interest,” she says. “It means you can pair it with anything from patterns, to colours, to velvets or thick knits.” The cover is densely woven with easy-to-fasten concealed studs, and is fine to be tumble-dried.

Best duvet covers for kids

If you’re looking for child-friendly duvet covers, it can be hard to find fun patterns which still err on the side of stylish. Lissack recommends this “fabulous” set by Dunelm, made in collaboration with the National History Museum. Its reversible design makes it versatile (and educational), with a white or black side that you can swap out depending on your child’s room décor.

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The Best Duvet Covers, According to Experts