Breathe New Life Into Your Bed With the Best Bedspreads

Many factors come into play when choosing a bedspread for your home. You need something that looks nice, feels cozy, and lasts long. If you keep factors in mind, you should easily be able to find the perfect bedspread for your bedroom or guest suite. Unfortunately, the home linen market is saturated with all sorts of materials, colors, and sizes, making finding a suitable option more tedious than it should be. So, we’ve put together an in-depth buying guide to help you identify the ideal bedspread for your home.

What To Look for When Buying Bedspreads

Fabric

You can find bedspreads made with different fabrics, but they should be closely woven regardless of the material. Compared to loosely woven weaves, firm weaves last longer and wrinkle less. Also, the fabric you choose must be easy to maintain, or you’ll have a hard time keeping it clean. To find an easy-to-care-for material, consider its design, finish, texture, and weight. These factors can be assessed by going through some customer reviews.

Size

Bedspreads are made for different bed sizes, including single, double, king, queen, and more. As such, it’s important to choose a spread that goes with your bed size. Additionally, consult the manufacturer’s label to check the shrinkage information. Shrinkage shouldn’t be more than 5% if you want the spread to keep its size after washing or dry cleaning.

Style

Your bedspread’s style should complement the overall character of the room, as well as depict the resident’s tastes. To add a soft touch to your space, ruffles and floral quilted spreads are appropriate. Some spreads also look more attractive with dust ruffles. On the other hand, look for a heavily textured fabric with a plaid or checked design for a more sophisticated look.

Weight

Choosing a lightweight or heavy spread for your bed is a matter of personal preference. Some people don’t enjoy being under a weighted blanket and go for a lightweight throw, even in colder weather, while others prefer heavier quilts over summery coverlets.

Finding the Right Size Bedspread

Single size

Not every room has the space for a king-size bed, and a single or twin bed works well in such spaces. To fit single beds, single bedspreads are needed, so they don’t overhang too much. A single bedspread measures approximately 53 x 78 inches, roughly the same size as a single duvet. While this size is ideal for a single bed, you’ll need to size up if you want more overhang.

Double size

A double bed is one of the most popular bed sizes, especially for couples. For a double bed, having the right size bedspread is necessary to keep at least two people covered.

On average, a double bedspread measures approximately 78 x 78 inches, the same as a double duvet — this size will fit your double bed without any overhang. If you’re not a fan of extra fabric hanging around your bed, this size is well-suited to your needs. But, if you like overhanging spreads, you may need one size up.

King size

The king-size bed is undoubtedly fit for a king, and so should the bedspread. A king-size bedspread adds a luxurious look to your bed and elevates the overall aesthetic of any space. It is the final touch you add to your room, so it should be sized perfectly, or it will look out of place.

Most king-size bedspreads measure approximately 90 x 86 inches, fitting perfectly on a king-size bed. They also often overhang a little to make the bed look royal and regal.

Types of Bedspreads

Comforter

A comforter acts as a decorative top layer on your bed and contains different types of fillings, like polyester batting, wool, down feathers, or silk. Comforters are stitched and quilted to distribute the filling evenly and keep it in place. Most modern comforters are machine washable, so you don’t have to worry about their upkeep.

The warmth level and weight of a comforter depend on the thickness — or loft — of the filling. Most comforters come in different weights, determining their warmth. So, if you live in warmer regions, choose a lightweight comforter. Alternatively, you’d want to select weighted comforters for colder areas.

Duvet and duvet cover

Duvets are another form of comforter filled with layers of different materials. Most duvets contain down feather filling, but you can also find polyester batting, silk, or wool-filled duvets.

The difference between a comforter and a duvet is that the latter acts as an insert for a duvet cover. You’ll generally find plain white duvets that come with colorful and patterned covers. The covers make cleaning duvets easier because you can take them off and throw them in the washer. But make sure the duvet fits snuggly into the cover, or you’ll be struggling to find the right side while sleeping.

Duvets also come in weights, so you can choose a lighter or heavier one depending on the weather.

Quilt

Quilts consist of three layers: a woven cloth top, a woven cloth bottom, and a layer of batting in between. All three layers are stitched in a decorative pattern. Traditional quilts feature a top layer sewn together with multiple fabrics and a single piece of fabric for the bottom.

Besides being used as blankets, quilts are often hung on walls, especially vintage ones or those with special meanings. Traditionally, quilts were made to mark important life events, like marriage or a new baby. 

Quilts offer a perfect level of warmth and they are often used in colder weather. You can wash a quilt in a washing machine using cold water and mild detergent. To dry it properly, you should lay it flat instead of hanging it.

Coverlet

Coverlets are lightweight bedspreads designed to be used as an add-on with a thicker, warmer spread. Some coverlets also include a thin layer of batting, making them sufficiently warm for a chilly afternoon, but thin coverlets are only suitable for moderately cold nights.

Most coverlets are non-reversible, but you can find reversible ones, too. They can be quilted or woven, which also impacts their warmth level. To create ornate quilted patterns, like diamond, herringbone, and floral, a centuries-old technique called matelassé is used. And, if you get a coverlet with a coordinating sham, you can use it as a throw blanket on your couch.

Washing a coverlet can be tricky, so you have to be careful while doing it. You can wash it in a washing machine in a gentle setting. Avoid using any chemicals, and only use cold water with mild detergent. Dry it partially in a dryer on low heat and delicate settings, but remove the coverlet while it is damp or it will shrink.

Choosing a Bedspread Material

Cotton

The top choice for bedspreads is cotton, which is a soft and breathable material compared to other fabrics. As cotton prevents overheating, it remains usable all year — it’s cool in summer and cozy in winter. Cotton is also ideal for rough use in busy households, as it can withstand multiple washes.

Polyester

Polyester bedspreads are made with synthetic materials and come in multiple colors and finishes. This material is durable, highly practical, wrinkle-resistant, and less prone to fading and shrinking. But if you’re a hot sleeper, polyester may not be the wisest choice for you. Unlike natural fibers, polyester doesn’t breathe and traps heat. So, you’ll get hot while sleeping if you use a polyester bedspread.

Velvet

Velvet is the definition of luxe home décor. Whether it is curtains, pillows, sofa throws, or bedspreads; velvet can bestow an instant touch of glamor on anything and everything. It is soft to the touch, looks elegant, and elevates your room décor with a luxurious finish.