What Is A Coverlet?

When it comes to your bed, there are a variety of covers, duvets, and quilts to choose from for decoration and warmth. Each one offers different benefits, and it comes down to personal preference which is best for your rooms. One option is a coverlet, which boasts similarities to a quilt, but isn't quite the same. Coverlets are great for many reasons, but understanding their uses and purpose is important before opting to have one on a bed.

It's fairly easy to tell the difference between a comforter and a throw blanket, but many bedding pieces, especially covers, can overlap. A duvet is different from a duvet cover because one comes as an entire piece while the other goes over an existing comforter. Coverlets are one of these confusing items, but if you know how to use one, you'll be glad you bought it because of the versatility it exudes. Manchester Collection notes that coverlets are good for anyone who wants to create a more modern aesthetic, as they make it easy to change up an entire decor scheme because coverlets can pair easily with any sheet set.

Coverlets fall into their own genre when it comes to bedding, but they can be confused with quilted pieces. While their textures can be similar, coverlets are usually lighter while quilts offer more warmth. Using the former on your bed is preferable in warmer temperatures, and these are ideal for summer months, providing breathable coverage and a versatile element. You can either use a coverlet as your main bedspread or fold it longways and place it along the bottom of the bed as decor/extra warmth for the existing comforter.

Quilts boast three layers, including a top decorative level and padding in the middle that provides the heat they are known for. Coverlets are only one layer of material, which gives them the airy feel that some people prefer. According to Kasentex Home, there is a small portion of filling spread throughout the fabric, but while it offers sufficient warmth, people won't be kicking it off in the middle of the night in a hot sweat. 

Not only does a coverlet offer comfort and a decent amount of heat, but it can help protect your bedding from dirt, dust, and spills. Placing one on top of your nice sheets or even another duvet will also provide a barrier between them and pets, keeping out excess hair, dander, and mites. Regardless of whether you fold it at the bottom of the bed the majority of the time, or keep it spread out across the entire thing, having that coverlet layer to keep out detritus when needed will save laundry loads and constant bedding changes. 

Elle Decor notes that coverlets usually only reach the level where a bed skirt starts, which allows you to be more creative with the latter. If your coverlet is a plain color, you can add a patterned bed skirt that creates dimension between the two, whereas a themed bedspread will pair well with a plain, nicely tailored skirt. This saves you from having to seek out matching sets and dust ruffles and allows your creativity to flow. These one-off purchases will let you transform your theme or bedroom decor in seconds, because they mask or disguise whatever they cover, so you can save on new sheets or duvets, too.