There are many different types of blankets, some ideal for completely encasing you in warmth and others for just providing a light touch. In addition to being useful accessories in our bedrooms and living rooms, blankets give us a sense of place and comfort.
Blankets come in a wide range of sizes, designs, colors, and materials to suit any need. Whether you prefer the security of a weighted blanket or the soft brush of a cotton throw, there is a blanket to suit your preferences.
Investigate the nuances that make up these distinctions so that you can use blankets more effectively in your home.
Types of Blankets
There are several types of blankets that vary in craftsmanship and design, each created to serve distinct functions on the bed and throughout the home.
Quilts
Quilts are one of the oldest blanket types, combining artistry with functionality. Quilts are distinguished by their three-layer construction: a decorative top layer, a middle batting layer, and a backing layer.
The decorative top layer of a quilt frequently features an intricate arrangement of fabric shapes pieced together to demonstrate the quilter’s creativity and skill. The middle layer is made up of batting, which can be made of cotton, wool, or synthetic fibers. The warmth and weight of the quilt are determined by the size and type of layer. The backing encloses and covers the batting, giving the quilt a decorative finish. The top and bottom layers of most quilts are made of cotton, but some are made of polyester or a blend of fabrics.
Quilts are available in lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight weights, making them ideal for layering on beds, using as throw blankets, or storing in your car for quick picnics. Quilts with cotton rather than synthetic facings will wear better over time and be more breathable.
- Advantages: Quilts are versatile, beautiful, and one-of-a-kind due to their variable construction.
- Drawbacks: Quilts are expensive if made by a skilled craftsperson. Depending on the material, quilts may require careful laundering and may harbor allergens.
Duvet and Duvet Covers
A duvet is a soft, flat bag that contains feathers or other materials. Duvets are not typically used on their own but are paired with a decorative duvet cover, which is removable and washable. In the United States, duvets and comforters are frequently used interchangeably, but there is a wider distinction between these blanket types around the world. Unlike comforters, duvets have traditionally been made without stitching to separate the filling throughout the blanket.
Duvets can be filled with a variety of materials, including down, synthetic fibers, wool fibers, or a combination of these. For those who are sensitive to allergens in duvets, hypoallergenic fill options are available. The weight of a duvet is determined by the type and amount of fill used. There are lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight duvets for each season.
Duvet covers come in a variety of colors, materials, and sizes to accommodate the various duvet sizes. Tabs and ties on duvets and duver covers help keep the duvet in place inside the cover. Duvets work best as bed coverings and fit standard-size beds ranging from twin to king.
- Advantages: Duvets and duvet covers allow for a wide range of bedding color and style options.
- Drawbacks: Quality duvets have a high initial cost. Duvets shift inside the covers, making it difficult to keep them in place.
Comforters
Comforters are thick quilted blankets that are filled with materials that give them weight and warmth. Unlike duvets, comforters have stitched lines across the surface of the blanket that keep the fill separated and evenly spaced.
Cotton, linen, polyester microfiber, silk, flannel, and jersey are just a few of the materials used to make comforters. The fill materials can also vary greatly and include feathers, cotton, wool, polyester, silk, and bamboo fibers. The filling determines the weight, warmth, and cost of the finished blanket. Synthetic fibers, such as polyester, provide the most cost-effective filling and make these comforters easier to launder. Natural fiber options are more expensive, but they feel more luxurious. Comforters filled with wool or feathers are ideal for cold-weather climates. Silk filling is ideal for warm-weather comforters.
Because comforters do not have a removable cover, they are slightly more difficult to maintain and less versatile than duvets. Many comforters are machine washable, but this depends on the materials used for the cover and filling. Comforters are most useful as the top bed covering.
- Advantages: The all-in-one construction is convenient. There are comforters to suit every taste, climate, and budget thanks to the variety of fill options available.
- Drawbacks: Compared to duvets with removable covers, comforters are more difficult to clean.
Throw Blankets
Throw blankets are small decorative blankets that can be draped over furniture or folded into baskets for convenient storage. Throw blankets are typically 50–60 inches in length and width, which is smaller than standard blanket sizes. Throw blankets come in a range of materials, including fleece, acrylic, cotton, wool, and faux fur, all of which can have an impact on their weight and texture. They can feature a wide range of colors and decorative designs.
Depending on how often they are used, throw blankets might need to be laundered. Throws with tassels, fringe, and nubby fabric will be more difficult to keep looking “like new” with frequent washing.
- Advantages: Throw blankets are versatile, so you can be sure to find one to match your color scheme and design style. Throws in synthetic materials are inexpensive.
- Drawbacks: Synthetic throw blankets can wear badly over time. Throws are smaller than standard blankets, so they should not be used for beds.
Weighted Blankets
Weighted blankets have gained popularity in recent years because of their ability to provide a sense of comfort and security. Weighted blankets are blankets filled with materials such as glass beads or plastic pellets. These are evenly distributed across the blanket. The outer blanket is made from a range of materials, including cotton, polyester microfiber, and minky, all of which add to the comfort of the blanket. Weighted blankets range in weight from 5 to 30 pounds. The general rule is to choose a weighted blanket that is about 10% of your body weight, though some people prefer lighter and heavier blankets.
The pressure from weighted blankets is believed to have a calming influence on the nervous system. This can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. They are also believed to help regulate the production of serotonin and melatonin, contributing to more restful sleep.
Weighted blankets are beneficial for some, but not everyone. Some people do not like the sensation of being weighted down while they sleep. People with temperature sensitivities and those with certain health conditions should check with a doctor before sleeping with a weighted blanket.
Weighted blankets typically have removable covers that make them simple to clean and maintain. The inner layer cannot be machine-washed. Remove any stains or discoloration with a damp cloth.
- Advantages: Many people benefit from the therapeutic effects of weighted blankets.
- Drawbacks: Weighted blankets can be expensive. When selecting and sleeping with a weighted blanket, exercise caution.
Coverlets
A coverlet is a lightweight, decorative blanket that is designed to cover a bed but does not add the warmth or weight of a duvet or comforter. Coverlets feature a top and bottom layer with little to no batting, or filling, in between. This blanket type is useful as a decorative summer covering on a bed when you want a layer over your top sheet. Coverlets are designed to cover the mattress and the box springs, not the whole bed frame.
Coverlets are extremely versatile in color and style. They are made from a wide range of materials, including cotton, linen, silk, and synthetic fibers. They may feature a decorative stitch, creating distinct designs and textures. Coverlets are also useful as a layering element, combined with a heavier blanket like a comforter or folded at the end of the bed.
- Advantages: Coverlets enhance the decorative appeal and interest of beds. Coverlets come in a variety of design and material options.
- Drawbacks: On their own, coverlets are only useful for the warmest time of year. Coverlets are smaller than other standard blankets.
Material Differences for Types of Blankets
The type of blanket material you choose will impact the longevity, warmth, feel, and function of your blanket. Here is a review of popular blanket materials and reasons to consider each one.
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most popular blanket materials, known for its affordability, breathability, and comfort.
- Suitable for various climates
- Easy to wash and maintain
- Natural and hypoallergenic
- Prone to wrinkling
- Does not provide as much warmth as heavier materials
Wool
Wool blankets are popular for their warmth and for their moisture-wicking properties.
- Provide warmth and insulation
- Keeps moisture away from skin
- Durable and long-lasting
- Expensive
- May require special care, such as dry-cleaning
Synthetic Textiles
Synthetic blanket materials such as microfiber and fleece are made from polyester or acrylic fibers.
- Inexpensive
- Can be easy to launder, though some synthetic fibers may have specific requirements.
- Versatile styles
- Not durable over long periods of time
- Not sustainably produced
Bamboo
Bamboo blankets are soft, silky, and sustainably produced.
- Soft and luxurious to the touch
- Highly breathable
- Renewable resource
- Can be expensive
- May require careful laundering
Cashmere
Cashmere is a premium bedding material sourced from the undercoats of cashmere goats.
- Exceptional softness
- Excellent insulation despite its lightness of weight
- Durable
- Very expensive
- Requires handwashing or dry-cleaning
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