February is the month when a lot of us realise our bed is not quite right. Either you wake up too hot under a heavy winter duvet, or you are piling extra throws on top because the one you have is too thin. Buying a duvet online is easy, but the choice can be confusing. Tog ratings, fillings, sizes and fabrics all make a difference, so here is a straightforward guide to getting it right.
Understanding Tog Ratings
The tog rating tells you how warm a duvet is. It measures how well the duvet holds in heat, not how heavy or thick it feels. A higher number means a warmer duvet.
As a rough guide:
- Low tog (around 4.5): lightweight, for summer nights or people who always sleep hot.
- Medium tog (around 9 to 10.5): a good middle ground for spring and autumn, or for well heated bedrooms all year.
- High tog (around 12 to 15): warm and cosy, for colder rooms and the depths of winter.
How warm you need to be depends on you, not just the season. A bedroom in a modern flat may need a lower tog than a draughty bedroom in an older house. If two people share a bed and one always runs warm, a medium tog with an extra blanket on one side can be a fair compromise.
Some people prefer to own two duvets, a lighter and a warmer one, so they can swap between them, or buy an all seasons set made up of two duvets that can be used separately or together.
Natural Or Synthetic Filling?
Fillings broadly fall into two groups.
Natural fillings such as feather, down and wool are often chosen for their soft, lofty feel and breathability. Wool duvets in particular are popular with people who want to avoid overheating. They usually need more careful washing, so check the care label before you buy.
Synthetic fillings such as hollowfibre and microfibre are typically easier to wash at home and are a common choice for anyone who prefers a non-animal product. Microfibre duvets are often designed to feel similar to down.
If you have allergies or sensitive skin, look for the product description and labelling that suits your needs, and speak to your GP or pharmacist if you are unsure what might help.
You can compare tog ratings and fillings side by side in our duvets section, from a light 4.5 tog hollowfibre duvet to much warmer options.
Getting The Size Right
UK duvet sizes are usually labelled single, double, king and super king, and they are made to match the bed size of the same name. Some people like to size up, for example a king duvet on a double bed, to stop a duvet tug of war at night. If you do, remember that your duvet cover needs to match the duvet, not the bed.
Before ordering, it is worth checking the exact measurements in centimetres in the product details, as these can vary a little between brands.
Choosing Bedding Fabrics
Once the duvet is sorted, the bedding on top makes just as much difference to how comfortable you feel.
- Cotton: breathable, easy to care for and comfortable all year.
- Brushed cotton: slightly fluffy and warmer to the touch, lovely in winter.
- Linen: cool and relaxed, with a natural crumpled look that many people love.
- Polycotton: a blend that tends to crease less and dry quickly.
Choose colours that help the bedroom feel calm. Soft neutrals, greys and earthy tones are easy to live with and work with most furniture. Browse our bedding range to see sets, sheets and pillowcases together.
A Few Care Tips
Shake your duvet out every morning to keep the filling evenly spread, and air it on a dry day when you can. A duvet protector helps keep it fresh between washes. Always follow the care label, and make sure a washed duvet is completely dry before you put it back on the bed.
A good duvet is something you use every single night, so it is worth taking a few minutes to choose one that really suits you.