Instead, I now use a sheet underneath a plain white quilt. Here I am, thinking this is how we should make our bed, following my grandmother’s strict instructions when she criticized my hospital corners (if you don’t know, you don’t want to know). Katie Cardullo of Cozy Earth tells us that if you’re using a comforter without a duvet cover, you’ll typically use a flat sheet. However, if you’re already using a duvet cover, Wang advises against using a top sheet and says you don’t need a cover.
So the debate is not whether you should use a duvet cover. Instead, you should ask yourself: Are you using a surface layer? My friends, it can help you decide whether you need a duvet cover on your bed or not. My grandmother’s house never had duvet covers, just colorful comforters and quilts, so it’s no wonder she loved good sheets.
Change your duvet cover
My bed definitely qualifies for stacking. Don’t tell the king.
But that’s because my quilt is too light. Most manufacturers produce primarily “all-season” weights and sometimes heavier winter weights. Since I live in warm Southern California, I usually use a cool quilt from IKEA; it’s light enough to use during the hottest times of the year. During the colder months, instead of switching to a heavier quilt, I layer a comforter and a fleece blanket on top and then switch to a fleece sheet set with a fitted sheet.
My quilt is a key layer for staying warm at night. It updated the look of my bedroom while adding warmth and weight to my bedding on cold nights, and the quilt is light enough that in the summer I have the option of using just the comforter or just the comforter.
Notably, Wang advises against this. “Nighttime temperature fluctuations are true for everyone: our body temperature drops by about 2 degrees when we fall asleep, and our body temperature naturally fluctuates slightly throughout the night under the influence of digestion, REM sleep and circadian rhythms,” he said. “Instead of using it all night or removing a bunch of bedding, the solution is to invest in temperature-regulating bedding made from breathable materials.”
Still, I love my quilts, and I’m not alone. Elk also like to use it. “In the summer, I’ll put a quilt over the sheets, and if the air conditioner is on too high, I’ll put folded sheets under the bed,” she said.
Bedding worth investing in
great comforter
I love the look of Bedsure’s comforter ($29) without the duvet cover. I especially like that it comes in a few colors (I tested the peach, which was more of a sand color and will be ditching the white quilt after this), but it’s still a sleek, insertable duvet style with a down comforter if you want it Use with pads. It’s light and fluffy on its own, but still keeps you warm, especially when you add a duvet or comforter.
We are also fans of the Buffy quilt. Wired review writer Louryn Strampe loves the Buffy’s Breeze quilt ($175) because it’s cool enough to use in the summer and is a great base for adding a blanket on top in the winter. She’s been sleeping on it for a few years now and it’s still in great shape.
Duvet cover for people who hate sheets
Even though I use my sheets every night, I admit it sometimes piles up at my feet or in the middle of the bed. I’ve tried a few duvet covers and none of them have been perfect. I love the texture of the IKEA Linen Duvet Cover ($129), and it’s a more affordable linen option than most places.
I also tried Bedsure’s Duvet Cover ($27), which has ties that match the loops on the Bedsure comforter to hold it in place. It took a bit of effort to tie everything up, but I couldn’t feel the ties while sleeping and found the duvet to be soft and light. Plus, it’s very affordable compared to other duvet covers.