Bedspreads and comforters add color, pattern, and interest to a room as well as provide a layer of insulating warmth. They offer warmth with style. Many people have a wardrobe of comforter covers that allow them to change the look of the bed as often as they choose.

 

Do you want to cover your luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets with a ratty old comforter? A bedroom comforter, which covers the top and sides of a mattress, consists of two pieces of fabric stitched along all four sides and filled with either a synthetic or natural fill. Classic bedspreads cover the entire bed, including the mattress, box springs, and pillows. Decorative pillow shams are typically not used with a bedspread, but decorative pillows may be added.

 

Quality quilting patterns, tassels, and cording around the edges along with other finer details typically set the price of a luxury comforter or bedspread. Also, a down filled comforter's warmth is determined by the quality of the fill, which is reflected by "fill power." Numbers reflecting "fill power" usually range from 500 to 800, with 625 or greater considered the best.

 

Comforters and duvets are both common terms for lush bed coverings filled with down, feathers, cotton, wool, silk, or hypoallergenic synthetics. A duvet is a comforter without a cover made to be encased in a removable duvet cover to protect the duvet and keep it clean. Duvet covers, also called "comforter covers," are giant open-ended pillowcases that fit over a comforter.

 

A duvet covered with a washable duvet cover eliminates blankets, a bedspread, and perhaps even the top sheet from your bed-making routine. The cover acts as the top sheet (it should be laundered at least weekly), thus allowing you to make the bed by giving the entire duvet a good shake and smoothing.