Duvets are a fluffy type of bedding whose shape resembles a flat bag. Essentially, a duvet is a type of comforter. Both duvets and comforters are typically used as blankets--or, in really cold climates, in addition to them. Duvets are often sold separately from duvet covers, which are an easy way to add variety to the look of your bed, and thus the entire room.

Duvets can be constructed in a variety of ways. However, the best quality duvets consist of various pieces, called baffles, sewn together in a quilt-like fashion. This keeps the down evenly distributed throughout the entire piece, preventing the duvet from becoming thin in some parts and lumpy in others. Of course, if the duvet doesn't contain down, but another type of filler consisting of one piece, then baffling isn't necessary.

The History of Duvets
Duvets are thought to originally be from Switzerland and Austria. In these cold, northern European climates, people certainly benefited from the warmth and comfort of these luxurious nighttime coverings. Duvets were originally constructed of bags of goose and duck down that were traditionally given to young married couples.

Today, duvets continue to be filled with down, as well as other materials such as feathers, cotton, and synthetic fillers. The crucial component, though, is their softness. Naturally, duvets that are the softest and most comfortable are the best sellers. Duvets that feel scratchy, thin, or lumpy and uneven should be avoided. There's no reason to purchase a third-rate duvet when you can experience first-rate comfort even with a less expensive, cotton- or synthetic-filled duvet.