17 May 2010- A Duvet (as called in Europe) or a comforter (as called in the US) needs a duvet cover to be protected from all the outside elements that can harm it. Duvet covers are also used to provide some style, color and accent to one's bedroom decor. However, if you buy a duvet cover that doesn't exactly fit the duvet and remains loose or extremely tight, then both the purposes are lost. Neither your luxury duvet covers will protect your valuable linen duvets nor they will lend any attraction to your home decor! So, it is very crucial to choose and buy the right sized duvet cover for the ultimate feel and decor. Here we list some tips on how to choose a duvet cover (exactly how to buy right sized duvet cover!)

Buy Slightly Bigger Size Duvet Cover

To know the exact size of the duvet for which you are out to buy the duvet cover is very important. Based on the size, you will decide whether you need queen duvet cover, king duvet cover or kids duvet covers. However, do not buy the size of duvet cover that exactly matches the measurement of your duvet. Buy a cover that is at least 2 inches more in size than your duvet's size. As most of the duvets or comforters use cotton fabric or a blend of cotton, they are bound to shrink a little when washed for the first time. A slightly bigger duvet cover will mean that it will snuggly fit your comforter after the first wash.

Look for Fasteners and Fabric of Duvet Cover

Most of the duvet covers have one or more forms of fasteners- buttons, zippers or ties. Ensure about the right amount of buttons and quality of zippers. Duvet covers might also have internal pieces of fabric known as ties meant to be tied to a loop on the duvet if available at all (most of the luxury duvets and hotel duvets have this duvet loop). However, the standard duvet cover without ties can also fit your duvet well, provided it is not made of some slippery fabric like silk or satin. So, when buying duvet cover for silk duvet cover or a satin comforter cover, ensure that your duvet cover has ties inside it.

Know the Sizes of Standard Duvet Covers

Most of the top brands of bed linen make their duvet cover sizes known to buyers through their catalogs. Before visiting any such linen store or doing online shopping for duvet covers, go through these catalogs to know the standard sizes of duvet covers so that you might match the right sized cover for your comforter. Here we give some of the standard sizes of the duvet covers of famous brands based on their catalogs. However, this is just for your guidance to buy duvet covers. Please check the catalogs yourself to see whether the duvet cover size specifications have been changed by the linen brands or not.

Pottery Barn Standard Duvet Cover Sizes

• Twin Duvet Cover = 66 x 86
• Queen Duvet Cover = 92 x 88
• King Duvet Cover = 108 x 92

Crate & Barrel Standard Duvet Cover Sizes

• Twin Duvet Cover = 66 x 86
• Queen Duvet Cover = 92 x 96
• King Duvet Cover = 106 x 96

West Elm Standard Duvet Cover Sizes

• Twin Duvet Cover = 68 x 86
• Queen Duvet Cover = 88 x 92
• King Duvet Cover = 108 x 92

Soft Surroundings Standard Duvet Cover Sizes

• Twin Duvet Cover = 62 x 88
• Queen Duvet Cover = 88 x 88
• King Duvet Cover = 104 x 88

Sometimes, the bed linen stores sell promotional duvets that are typically smaller in size or a comforter that is labeled as Full/Queen Duvet but can range from 88 x 88 to 90 x 98. To know the exact size of duvets, read the label on them and then buy duvet covers for them that are plus two inches of your duvet size.

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