Have you ever gone out and been really excited about a new bedding purchase only to get it home and realize the sizing isn’t exactly what you were expecting? The struggle is very real. Below I have compiled a simple list of sizes and general guidelines to keep in mind while purchasing your bedding for the ones who do not think to measure their mattress before they go shopping (a.k.a. everyone).
Let’s Start with the Mattress…
Understanding your mattress size before you purchase your bedding is very important. If you know that queen size mattresses are typically 60″ x 80”, and you see a beautiful duvet that is only 82″ x 82″, unfortunately, you must step away from that duvet. That would only leave 1″ on each side of the mattress for overhang and overall aesthetic. Keeping that in mind let’s talk about duvet inserts/comforters.
Duvet Inserts / Comforters
Before we can discuss duvet covers, we must consider the inserts/comforters as you have to know the size of the insert before you can buy the cover for it. Comforters can refer to a pre-filled decorative cover for your bed but can also apply to the basic white comforters that people use to fill their duvet covers. I personally like to refer to these as duvet inserts as typically no one would use them as comforters on their own. They are generally made with the intention of filling a more decorative cover, but some people use them on their own, which I would call just a comforter. So now that we have the name calling out of the way, let’s discuss sizing!
Most comforters and duvet inserts come in the following sizes listed below; however, sometimes you will find smaller ones or larger ones. The ones listed below are my recommended sizes as they are an excellent baseline to ensure proper coverage on either side of the mattress. I wish most manufacturers would keep in mind the mattress sizes when making their products; however, many just go based on long-standing traditions that have not been challenged.
Duvet Covers
Based on the size of duvet covers in the marketplace, below is a list of ones that will cover your bed in the correct manner and probably fit your duvet insert at the same time. Anything smaller than these sizes, you may be left with one side of your bed cover coming up short. I will say I do own my fair share of awkwardly sized duvets that you can make work. For example, some queen size duvets are around 92” x 88”. Although they do cover the sides of the bed nicely, they are a lot short in length (88”) and I sometimes find it hard to fold them down for a nice look without losing the ability to drape over the edge of the bed. However, if you have a sleigh bed or a bed with a footboard where the edge is not exposed, this sizing may be perfect for you as you are only needing that coverage in the width.
Another aspect of your bed that you must think about when purchasing comforters or duvets is the depth of your mattress. If you have luxurious pillowtop that is very thick, you will need to think about that in terms of the drape of the comforter. Add an inch or two to the width dimensions if you know your mattress is exceptionally deep. In the same way, you can subtract an inch or two if you know your mattress is on the thinner side of average. Most mattress depths range from 10 to 20+ inches with 10-14 being your traditional coil mattress depth and 15-20+ inches covering the range of pillowtop mattresses.
Blankets / Coverlets / Quilts
Blankets, coverlets, and quilts are another fun name game. They are essentially the same thing and can be used interchangeably. Before I worked with textiles, I really did not understand the idea behind blankets and coverlet, but my eyes have been opened to their versatility. They are a flexible important piece to any bedding set that adds an extra layer of texture and dimension to the bed whether it is just decoratively placed at the end of the bed or layered in-between the sheets and comforter/duvets. They are also fantastic during the summer when your comforter or duvet is much too heavy to use.
In terms of sizing, because of their versatility and flexibility, you can also be pretty flexible with the sizing. For the use of decorative texture touches and layering pieces, as long as the width of the blanket covers the mattress well and are similar to the size of your comforter and duvet in terms of width you should be perfectly fine. If you are hoping to use it as a summer comforter when the blanket or comforter gets too hot, then you may want to make sure it is more similarly sized to the duvets listed above. Below I am giving my opinion on the best size with the versatile model in mind. As you will see below, the Full and Queen sizes for most blanket manufacturers are combined, so I am doing that as well for clarity.
Summary
Trying to figure out all the best sizes and dimensions needed for every element of your bedding can be overwhelming; however, if you begin with the basics (your mattress) and work from there it is not hard to determine what size you may need for every piece to turn out exactly how you envisioned. You are one step closer to that dreamy, Pinterest ready bed you always dreamed of having!
Image Sources:
Duvet Insert: Amazon | Duvet Cover: Amazon | Cotton Blanket: Amazon
Thanks for reading!
