Updating a bed for the cooler months often starts with switching out summer linen for a heavy winter quilt and fuzzy flannelette sheets, but one bedding component that often gets overlooked is the quilt cover itself.
Investing in a warm quilt cover for winter in a rich hue will not only create a moody, wintry ambience, it’s also super important if you’re a bedding renegade who prefers to sleep without a cumbersome top sheet. Because the quilt is directly in contact with your body, it’s important to select a cover in a material that feels soft and cuddly without making you feel stuffy and overheated.
A warm quilt cover in a material like jersey cotton, flannelette, cotton velvet, chenille or even corduroy will boost the weight and insulating properties of an existing doona. When buying a warm quilt cover, it’s always a good idea to opt for 100% natural fibres such as cotton, linen or Tencel, where possible, to ensure your bedding feels cosy yet entirely breathable.
While summer bedding is often light, white and airy, it’s an unspoken rule that winter bedding can be a bit more daring in terms of colour palette, pattern, fabric and texture. Tartan, checks, prints and waffle weaves are all welcome at this time of year for creating a layered bed that feels plush and inviting.
2024’s TOP WARM WINTER QUILT COVERS
- Pure linen quilt cover set in Cactus, from $379, Montauk Style
- Organic cotton crinkle duvet cover, $195, Koala
- Linen duvet cover in navy, $340, Cultiver
Best warm quilt covers for winter 2024
Pure linen quilt cover set in Cactus
From $379, Montauk Style
Best for: A nod to nature
Inspired by the tones of desert cacti, there’s nothing prickly about this warming 100% linen quilt cover. With long-fibred textures that keep you warm all year round, style up the dusty green tones with charcoal homewares for a touch of moody sophistication, neutral linen accents or textured throw cushions, then add crisp white sheets in the warmer months. Constructed from French flax and pre-washed for instant gratification to your slight and slumber.
Sizes: Double, Queen, King, Super King.
Colours: Powder Rose, Mustard, Red Dirt, Cactus, Storm Grey, Classic Navy, Milkcloud White, Natural, Bed of Roses, Glacier, Manhattan Grey, Vintage Denim Blue, Almond, Darkest Hour.
Key features:
- Set includes 1 x quilt cover + 2 pillowcases
- 100% French flax
- Pre-washed
Organic cotton crinkle duvet set
From $195, Koala
Best for: Classic cotton
There’s something so elegant, inviting and cosy about crisp white gauze cotton. Maybe it boils down to the fact that the material is super soft to the touch and has a nice weight to it, or perhaps it has something to do with the way the fabric catches light and shadow in a way that makes even the most simply styled room feel sophisticated. In any case, this crinkle cotton duvet by Koala is exceptional, made from organic cotton that has been GOTS certified.
Sizes: Queen and king.
Colours: Ocean salt.
Key features:
- Crinkle cotton texture
- GOTS certified
- Warm white colour
Linen duvet cover in navy
From $340, Cultiver
Best for: Luxurious linen
Good quality linen is the trans-seasonal all-rounder that’s worth every penny. To give your room a cosy winter update, opt for a linen quilt cover in a deep, moody hue like this classic navy colourway from Cultiver. The 100% European flax linen is 165gsm, which means it feels soft but substantial to the touch. It’s also OEKO-TEX certified, which means no dyes or harsh chemicals were used during its production.
Sizes: Queen, king and super king.
Colours: Available in 17 colours including white, sage, pencil stripe and natural.
Key features:
- 165gsm European flax linen
- Wintry, deep navy hue
- OEKO-TEX certified
Noni gingham quilt cover in natural
From $279, Country Road
Best for: Gorgeous gingham
Winter is the perfect time to embrace a little bit of pattern, and gingham has to be one of the most popular patterns of the moment. Country Road’s ‘Noni’ gingham quilt cover in neutral feels completely timeless, and can be layered with other neutral pieces or even with classic white sheets. It’s made from a blend of 55% cotton and 45% linen, so you get the softness of cotton with the durability of linen. Reviewers are raving about this duvet cover, with one even claiming “It is one of the best natural fabric quilt covers I’ve bought. The mixture of cotton and linen make it soft, easy care and lightweight and, of course, it looks great.”
Note: Matching pillowcases sold separately.
Sizes: King
Colours: Natural, pecan, mineral blue, fawn and charcoal sand.
Key features:
- Timeless gingham pattern in neutral shade
- Made from a blend of cotton and linen
- Soft and breathable
Oatmeal marle quilted quilt cover
From $180, Sheet Society
Best for: Lovely layers
Quilting on quilting on quilting … If you’re the kind of person who always feels cold, you’ll know the importance of layers – many layers. And that’s what makes Sheet Society’s quilted jersey quilt cover so genius. Not only is it made from the same cuddly material that makes your favourite jumper so special, it’s also got three-ply quilting, meaning it’s extra thick and extra warm. Get in my shopping cart, now!
Sizes: Single, double, queen, king, super king.
Colours: Grey marle, oatmeal marle, eucalypt, charcoal and powder blue.
Key features:
- Three-ply quilting
- Soft, stretchy jersey material
- Made from 100% cotton
Corinne Forest quilt cover set
From $76.99 (usually $109.99), Linen House
Best for: Fluffy flannelette
We’re not here to judge whether you use a top sheet or not, but if you are a sans top sheet sleeper, a duvet cover made from super soft flannelette will be an absolute gamechanger come wintertime. Flannelette – made from 100% brushed cotton – is the ultimate comfort bedding. It’s soft, it’s cosy and feels like a big hug to sleep in.
Sizes: Single, double, queen, king and super king bed.
Key features:
- Fully reversible printed flannelette duvet cover set
- Comes with matching pillowcases
- Made from 100% cotton
Darcy Corduroy quilt cover in powder blue
From $180, Sheet Society
Best for: Cosy corduroy
Corduroy is currently enjoying a major comeback on the fashion scene, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy this sumptuous, soft fabric in your home, too. Sheet Society’s ‘Darcy’ corduroy range comes in a variety of colours, but it’s this soft powder blue that’s captured our hearts. Corduroy’s fluffy texture and gentle ribbing is perfect for keeping warmth in, yet the 100% cotton construction allows air to circulate freely.
Sizes: Double, queen, king and super king.
Colours: White, terracotta, blush, moss, powder blue and midnight.
Key features:
- Ribbed, velvety texture
- 100% cotton corduroy
- Top side is cotton velvet, the underside is Eden cotton
Luxury velvet quilt cover in clove
From $299, Aura Home
Best for: Totally touchable velvet
Aura Home’s luxury cotton velvet quilt cover is so soft that the online product description comes with a disclaimer: “This beautiful quilt cover is so luxurious; you may find yourself spending more time in bed.” Challenge accepted. “Holy wow,” writes one reviewer of this heavenly velvet quilt cover, while another says despite their softness, they’re surprisingly easy to care for. Not sure how to style velvet? Velvet’s opulence goes surprisingly well with the laid-back luxury of crisp linen.
Sizes: Queen and king.
Colours: Clove, slate, caper, Indian teal and merlot.
Key features:
- Made from 100% cotton velvet
- Easy to clean using cold, gentle machine wash
- Incredible hand feel
Layla quilt cover set in pink
From $239, Myer
Best for: Coquette core
Love it or hate it but ‘coquette core’ (think: frills, ditsy floral patterns, and clashing pastel hues) is currently enjoying a moment – particularly in the boudoir. This duvet cover’s exaggerated, romantic ruffles scream softness and texture, but if you think about it, all of that gathered cotton voile kinda equals extra warmth. So if you’re ready to overhaul your bedroom’s style and make it feel warmer at the same time, this is the duvet cover for you.
Sizes: Single, king single, double, queen, super king.
Colours: White and pink.
Key features:
- Gathered cotton voile makes grand statement
- Gives bed volume and drama
- Available in white and soft pink
This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.
