What's the difference between these?

Question

My fiance have started our wedding registry, but we can't decide on bedding. Mostly, because we have no idea what the difference between the different types of bed covers are. Coverlet, duvet, comforter, sham. This is a language I don't yet speak. What's the difference? Ok, well, I know the shams go on the pilllows, but other than that, I'm not sure what the best choice for us would be. Any help would be appreciated. By the way, this may be a stupid question, but please try not to be mean. I just want to pick out some nice bedding!

Answer 1

The store at which you register should have a consultant who will walk around with you and explain all this. That's how it was when I registered. It's part of the service.There are a lot of other areas in which they can really help you decide what to ask for and what to skip depending on your lifestyle.

That said, I believe a coverlet is more like a bedspread or fancy blanket, whereas a comforter is fluffy, often made of down/feathers (though not necessarily) and is sized more like a blanket than a bedspread which is larger and often will reach around the sides of the bed. The sham is the fancy pillow covers that usually match your bedspread or comforter cover, also known as a duvet.

The person who mentioned thread count is right. Those beds in a bag are often not the best quality, but it does depend on the manufacturer. High thread count and quality, such as Supima or Egyptian cotton are ideal for both bedding and towels. They will last longer, and feel softer with every wash.

*Note. A duvet is a comforter COVER, however, I have at times heard the comforter itself be referred to as a duvet. No wonder you are confused!

Answer 2

A duvet is a comforter cover. Like a giant pillowcase, generally used with a plain white down comforter so you can add some color and style as well as protect the down comforter. A comforter is your traditional fluffy cover. A coverlet is generally a little thinner and longer (meant to hang lower) than a comforter, but the two words can be used interchangeably.

If you're still not sure, talk to the staff at the store where you're registered. They should be able to help you pick out something that suits you. If you don't have time to shop right now, don't register for bedding. Put a few gift cards on your registry instead and shop for it together after the wedding.

Answer 3

A coverlet (bedspread) is basically a blanket, it's not as thick or heavy as a comforter or duvet. A duvet is (usually) a down/feather filled comforter whereas a comforter is a thick outer layer of bedding. The problem is that depending on the manufacturer, these terms are used interchangeably (which is incorrect). Your best bet is to consider a coverlet to be a thinner blanket (for warmer weather) and to look at a comforter and a duvet as essentially the same thing (for winter).

Shams are just fancy pillow cases that open in the back rather than the side for a more decorative look. :)

Answer 4

If you get a feather comforter, you'd want to get a duvet cover for it...they just come in white, and really are not meant to be put on the bed just like that...they are meant to be covered by a duvet. A Comforter is a one piece thing that's like a blanket/quilt type of thing...A coverlet (i think) is just a top decorative covering, but then you'd still need blankets...mostly this is a matter of personal preference. I have a down comforter with a duvet cover, but I've had it for 3 years, and I'm realy to switch to a comforter, I think.

Pay attention to thread count! This is really important...if you see something with like 200 thread count, it will get pills on it and be scratchy pretty quickly. Pick sheets with a high thread count (400 minimum)--they will last a lot longer and get softer and more comfortable every time you wash them.

Answer 5

I'm going through the same thing right now, moving in with my boyfriend and trying to find everything we need! At Bed, Bath and Beyond they have a lot of these "beds in a bag." Normally they contain a fitted sheet for the mattress, a flat sheet, a comforter (the big thick blanket that you sleep under), two shams (decorative pillow covers), and two normal pillow cases. I'm fairly certian a duvet is just a decorative bed cover, you don't actually sleep under it (then what's the point?! lol!). But I'd look for something that had those items with it: fitted sheet, flat sheet, comforter, shams, and pillow cases. Because those are your basics.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Coverlet. Thin bedspread (mostly for summer).

Duvet. It's a thick, normally feather white down comforter for the winter months. Could be used alone or with cover.

Duvet cover: To dress up your duvet. So you can wash it and change colors etc. while keeping your duvet clean.

Sham. For the top pillows. (nor the bottom ones). They are more adorned than regular pillow cases.

Comforter. Basically a duvet with a cover in one, with downfall that can only be washed on the dry cleaners.

I dislike the "bed in a bag" deal because they are normaly made of polyester and have a ver low tread count (yikes). Nothing like softness of 600 + tread count cotton sheets.

Good luck

Answer 7

OK, don't quote me, but from what I understand, duvet and comforter are roughly the same thing (it's like a thick blanket of sorts, filled with polyester or down). Shams are ornamental pillow cases. Coverlet is a decorative bedspread, usually made of one layer of cloth (unlike the comforter).

Answer 8

Coverlet is a basic cover, a duvet is sort of like a bedspread-sized piloowcase which you can place either another (older) comforter inside it, comforter is a 'poufed' bedspread, sham is a decorative pillowcase.

Opt for the duvets. this way you can 'recycle' any comforters which might have patterns you might not care for.

Answer 9

The previous girl already aswered your question but I just wanted to add my experience with a duvet. I hated it. I like the idea that I could buy a few different ones & change them. I found that the nice ones cost just as much as a comforter. When you sleep the comforter gets all bunched up inside & you pretty much have to take it all out & put it back in to straighten. It made making my bed such a pain. I would go for a good quality comforter any day over a duvet. Just my advice. Congrats on your engagement & have fun planning your wedding. :-)

Answer 10

Duvet/Down Comforter: A bed covering filled with duck or goose down. The highest quality down comforters are filled with the soft, white undercoating of the goose, which offers larger clusters that fluff up or loft to produce better insulation. Down comforters with higher thread count casings can better contain the contents of the down comforter, allowing fewer feathers to poke through the fabric. Elegant Linens offers only the best quality goose down filled comforters encased in the highest thread count fabrics; these can be seen in their Luxury Down Duvet Department http://www.elegantlinenspc.com/down-duvets-duvet.htm

Pillow Shams: Removable coverings for pillows that are finished on all sides with tailored or ruffled edges and/or trims, flanges, and cording. A pillow sham differs from a pillowcase in that pillowcases are open at one end, while pillow shams are fashioned with a French back or envelope closure. Pillow shams that are made from sheeting material may be slept on as with a regular pillowcase; shams that are purely decorative are meant to be removed before using the pillows for sleeping. Sizes for pillow shams include: Standard, measuring 20 x 26, King, 20 x 36 or the European square sham at 26 x 26. The European sham is also referred to as a Euro Sham or Continental Sham

Matelasse/Blanket Cover/Coverlet: The origin of the word matelasse is French and means cushioned or padded. This fabric is jacquard-woven to create a raised pattern with a quilted or sculpted effect and is often used as a blanket cover. A matelasse coverlet is usually smaller in both width and length than a traditional bedspread, extending to just below the mattress. It looks best when accompanied by a matching matelasse bedskirt.