The right duvet and pillows are key to a good night's sleep and when it comes to choosing yours, it's important to adhere to your preferences. On the list of things to consider are duvet and pillow size, tog rating and even the time of year, so if you're unsure where to start, our guide will help point you in the right direction.

Duvets & Pillows: What to Consider

Important factors such as allergies and sleeping preferences can cause limitations to your bedding choices so bear in mind the following before buying.

Duvet Size

Duvets typically come in four different sizes: single, double, king and super king. Jump to the section What Duvet Size Do I Need? to find your ideal measurements.

Season

Ever heard of tog ratings? Well, duvets usually come with various tog ratings which determine the overall thickness of thew duvet. Higher tog ratings are best suited for winter, whilst lower tog ratings are optimal for summer. Skip ahead to Which Duvet Tog Rating Should I Choose? for more.

Allergies

If you suffer with allergies and require bedding that is hypoallergenic, opt for pillows with antimicrobial qualities, as well as pillows and duvets that are synthetically filled. These styles are free of dust mites and other pests, helping you sleep comfortably.

Frequency of Wash

Different bed fillings come with different washing requirements. If you've got the capacity to wash yours often, opt for synthetic-filled duvets and pillows, which are easier to wash regularly than natural-filled ones. Our guides, Your Step-By-Step Guide to Washing Pillows and our What to Look for When Choosing a Duvet covers all you need to know about washing yours properly.

Budget

Synthetic-filled duvets and pillows are typically cheaper than natural-filled options like goose and duck feather down, so it's worthwhile to keep this in mind if your budget is limited.

Sleeping Preferences

Finally, consider how you sleep. If you sleep on your back, go for a medium-firm pillow or if you sleep on your side, opt for a firm pillow, which will support your neck as you sleep. Soft pillows are recommended for stomach sleepers. If you experience frequent neck pain while sleeping, you might want to read our Sleep Easy With These Pillows Made to Prevent Neck Pain guide.

What Duvet Size Do I Need?

As mentioned, duvets come available in four different sizes: single, double, king size and super king. To determine which size duvet is ideal for you, consider that your duvet should lie around 20 - 30cm longer than your height. So let's say that if you're approx 170cm tall, then a 200cm duvet is perfect for you. Below, find a outline of the standard duvet sizes:

Standard Duvet Sizes (cm)

Single Duvet (135 x 200cm)

Double Duvet (200 x 200cm)

Kingsize Duvet (230 x 220cm)

Super Kingsize Duvet (220 x 260)

Standard Mattress Sizes (cm)

Like duvets, mattresses also come in four standard sizes: single, double, kingsize and super kingsize. The corresponding duvet size fits to its mattress counterpart, for example, a single duvet (135 x 200cm) should fit with a single mattress (90 x 190cm).

Single Mattress (90 x 190cm)

Double Mattress (135 x 190cm)

Kingsize Mattress (150 x 200cm)

Super-Kingsize Mattress (180 x 200cm)

Tip: For more on mattress sizes and how to find the perfect one, read our guide, Your Complete Guide to Bed and Mattress Sizes.

Should the Duvet be Bigger Than the Bed?

It's also worthwhile to think about the size of your bed and mattress when choosing a new duvet. Ideally, your duvet should be one size larger than your bed and mattress, since some overhang will ensure that you (and your partner) have enough duvet to cover you at night.

Bed Frame Sizes

Single Bed

For a single bed, a duvet size of 135 x 200cm is preferable.

Double Bed

For double beds, opt for a duvet size of 200 x 200cm is ideal.

Kingsize Bed

Kingsize beds require a duvet size of 230 x 220cm is preferable.

Super Kingsize Bed

If you have a super kingsize bed, consider a duvet that is sized 220 x 260cm.

Tip: Take a look through our Choosing the Best Bed for Your Home guide for more on bed sizes.

Which Duvet Tog Rating Should I Choose?

Tog ratings are used to indicate the scale of warmth of a duvet and apply to the efficiency of its thermal insulation. Different tog ratings suit different types of year, so before buying your next duvet, check out our seasonal recommendations below:

Tog Ratings for the Seasons

Summer

For the warmest months of the year, a duvet with a tog rating of up to 7.5 should be enough to keep you comfortable as you sleep.

Tip: Struggling to catch some Zzz's during summer? Our guide, Too Hot to Sleep? Here's How to Stay Cool at Night should help you out.

Spring/Autumn

During spring and autumn, it's best to opt for a duvet with a slightly higher tog rating than that in summer, usually anywhere between 7.5 and 13.

Winter

Of course, in winter it pays to have a duvet with a fairly high tog rating. A tog rating of 13.5 and above should keep you nice and toasty while you sleep during the coldest months of the year.

Combination duvets

These duvet types prove to be a great option for any time of year. Consisting of two duvets, they can be used together during winter and then separated again during summer. Usually, one duvet will have a tog rating of roughly 4.5 and the other a tog rating of around 9.

Tip: If you choose to go for a combination duvet, make sure to place the lighter duvet on top when using both together. This will avoid compression and prolong the lifespan of the duvet.

Duvet & Pillow Filling Types

There are commonly two types of filling for duvets and pillows: natural and synthetic. Depending on your requirements and preferences, both come with their pros and cons. Inform yourself on both types before committing to a particular pillow and duvet filling.

Natural Fillings

Natural fillings usually consist of feathers, down or a mixture of both. Feather-filled cushions tend to be heavier and firmer than down fillings; the latter being the most common with goose down fillings providing a more luxury feel. Due to their voluminous quality, natural-filled bedding usually requires a large capacity machine or professional laundering.

Pros: Soft, achieve high levels of warmth, helps your skin to breathe, resilient, last longer than synthetic fillings, absorb body moisture, more lightweight than synthetic fillings.
Cons: More expensive than synthetic fillings, not ideal for allergy sufferers, professional dry cleaning is recommended.

Synthetic Fillings

Synthetic-filled bedding usually consists of either a combination of cotton and polyester or hollowfibre, and comes in a variety of densities. Ideal for allergy sufferers due to their complete lack of dust mites (be sure to choose bedding with a mite proof cotton cover), synthetic fillings often last up to 10 years and can be easily washed again and again.

Pros: Ideal for allergy sufferers, easy to care for, can be washed frequently, cheaper than natural fillings.
Cons: Super-cheap versions can quickly become lumpy and uncomfortable, not environmentally-friendly.

How to Make Your Bedding Last Longer

Taking good care of your bedding maximises its lifespan. Follow our tips below to protect your bedding and make it longer lasting:

• Use duvet and pillow protections to preserve quality
• Always use a duvet cover and wash it regularly
• Rotate your duvet from top to bottom every few weeks to even out the wear between sections
• Twice a year, hang your duvet outside on the line to air freshen it
• Minimise the amount of time you sit and lie on top of your duvet to avoid compressing the filling
• Always refer to the care label when washing your duvet and avoid applying harsh chemicals
• After washing your bedding, dry and air it thoroughly before placing it back on your bed
• Wash pillows at 60 degrees to destroy any dust mites
• Plump pillows daily to keep their shape