A Guide to Choosing a Comforter Based on Your Bed Size
Any means is good for enjoying a little extra warmth during the long winter months. With the rise of Scandinavian and hygge trends, interior design is embracing a cozy, cocooning vibe. Throws, bedspreads, and comforters are making their way into bedrooms and living rooms to add a touch of coziness to everyday life. Long considered old-fashioned, the old-school, grandmother-style comforter is making a big comeback in homes, thanks to both its insulating properties and its comfort. Its inimitable style is every bit as good as other types of blankets.
What is a traditional comforter? What are the differences between a comforter and a duvet? What are the different styles, and how do you choose the right size comforter based on your bed’s dimensions? Let’s take a closer look at this timeless bedding classic —with a few buying tips as a bonus.
What is a comforter?
A comforter is a piece of bedding that has been used since the Middle Ages to keep the bed warm. Originally, it was placed directly on the straw mattress so that the sleeper could lie down on top of it. It served not only to protect against the cold but also to provide greater comfort. With the advent of wool mattresses, its use became more similar to that of a comforter, since it is placed on top of the sheets to cover the sleeper at night.
Key Features of the Comforter
Unlike a comforter, which hangs down the sides of the bed, a duvet is designed to cover only the surface of the mattress, leaving about 30 centimeters at the head of the bed to provide enough space for the bolster and pillows.
Its loft, on the other hand, is traditionally greater than that of any other bedding, at least when it comes to the old-fashioned down comforter, also known as a “plumon.” It’s the classic “grandma” style. Very thick, it provides effective protection against the cold while adding to a cozy interior decor. It’s usually made of a cotton or silk cover filled with down or feathers.
The quilted comforter, also known as an American comforter, is quilted to make it flatter. The square or diamond-shaped stitching across its surface creates a highly decorative pattern. This stitching helps maintain a uniform shape by trapping the down inside. This type of comforter is less heavily filled than its traditional counterpart, so it is less warm. That is why it is often used as a supplementary source of warmth and paired with a duvet when it gets cold in the winter.
The Eider Down Comforter for a Royal Night's Sleep
The word “édredon” comes from the Danish root “ederdun, ” which is related to the Icelandic “æðardúnn, ” meaning “eider down.” Nature has indeed endowed this species of wild duck, native to the polar regions, with exceptional insulating properties to help them survive in a harsh environment. Their down allows them to withstand extreme outdoor temperatures and even swim in cold water.
No other material can match such high thermal efficiency for such a low weight, but eiderdown is extremely expensive due to its rarity. Fortunately, less expensive alternatives, such as duck or goose feathers and down, can be used in place of eider down in comforters. However, synthetic materials, which raise more concerns regarding health and the environment, are not recommended.
What size comforter should I choose?
A comforter covers the mattress but does not extend up to the pillows. It is therefore shorter than a duvet in both length and width. Needless to say, the larger the bed, the larger the comforter will be.
The size of a comforter for a single bed
Single beds are often the preferred choice for people living alone, for children, or as extra beds. They are sometimes even found in the living room area, decorated with a few large cushions, to serve as benches. Those who value comfort are often drawn to one-and-a-half beds, which are slightly wider. The standard duvet sizes for these two bed types are as follows:
- A 90 x 190 cm bed corresponds to a standard duvet size of 90 x 150 cm;
- A 120 x 190 cm bed corresponds to a standard comforter size of 120 x 150 cm, but please note that since this size is rather rare, you can order a custom-made one.
The size of a comforter for a double bed
Choosing bedding can quickly become a headache for couples or singles looking for space: there’s a particularly wide variety of double-bed sizes available, and the selection continues to grow. Here are the most common sizes and the corresponding comforter sizes:
- A 140 x 190 cm bed—which is a standard size—requires a 140 x 160 cm comforter;
- A 140 x 200 cm bed—which is a standard extended size—requires a 140 x 170 cm comforter;
- A 160 x 200 cm bed, or queen-size bed, requires a comforter measuring 160 x 170 cm;
- An 180 x 200 cm bed, or king-size bed, requires a comforter measuring 180 x 170 cm;
- A 200 x 200 cm bed, or king-size+ bed, requires a comforter measuring 200 x 170 cm.
These bed sizes are the French standards, but the dimensions of single and double beds vary by country. Non-standard sizes, as well as unique bed shapes such as round beds, require custom orders.
The size of a comforter for a baby or child
Children ages 5 and up can sleep in a standard single bed measuring 90 x 190 cm, but before that age, they can also have their own comforter, depending on the size of their bed. Please note that the comforter is not suitable for infants, but as soon as a baby has moved from a crib to a bed with rails—and especially once they no longer use a sleep sack—they can start using it. When it comes to dimensions, the size requirements are less strict than for adults:
- For 60 x 120 cm mattresses, which are generally intended for children aged 18 months to 3 years, you can find comforters measuring 60 x 80 cm or 60 x 120 cm;
- For 70 x 140 cm mattresses, for children up to 5 years old, you should choose comforters measuring 70 x 100 cm or 70 x 140 cm.
How do you choose the right size for your comforter cover?
While quilted comforters are lovely to look at, those fluffy, old-fashioned comforters deserve to be protected by a cover or set that matches the sheet and pillowcase. This comforter cover is ideal for extending its lifespan. Machine-washable and easy to remove, it lets you change the look of your bedroom however you like, thanks to a wide range of colors. Emerald green, peacock blue, saffron, or brick set the tone in your home while showcasing their unique style.
As with all bedding, it’s best to choose natural materials—100% cotton, percale, jacquard weave, or linen made in France. Duvet covers come in various sizes, so be sure to choose one that matches the size of your comforter.
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