Spring summer duvet in pretty bedroom - goodhomesmagazine.com
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How to choose a new lightweight duvet for summer

Is your duvet starting to feel too warm for a comfortable sleep? Pick the perfect tog, filling and style for a warm summer’s night with this helpful guide.

Spring summer duvet in pretty bedroom - goodhomesmagazine.com

Image: John Lewis Synthetic Collection Breathable Microfibre Duvet 4.5 tog

Cometh the winter, cometh the warm winter duvet, and with the temperature outside making it the perfect time to cosy up the bedroom, we’re ready to swap out that lightweight summer bedding for something more substantial.

If you’re investing in a new duvet for the new season, you may already be confused by the terms surrounding this super important purchase.. What is a ‘tog?’ How important is a hypoallergenic duvet? And what’s the difference between down and synthetic fillings?

Well, we’re here to bust the jargon and set you on your path to choosing the perfect duvet for winter, so you can sleep easy knowing you’ve made the right decision.

Choose the right tog

bedroom with split tog duvet for summer - goodhomesmagazine.com

Image: Yours & Mine split tog duvet, Silent Night

Tog, or thermal overall grade, dictates the volume of filling in your duvet, giving you a number that reflects the warmth and ‘bounciness’ of your duvet. Anywhere between a 1-7 tog is suggested for a summer duvet, but keep in mind this volatile British weather. A middleground of 2.5 to 4.5 tog is more likely a sensible all-rounder option. 

If you can’t agree on a tog for your summer duvet, consider a split tog design. These are becoming more popular, and this Silent Night Yours & Mine duvet has a summer-appropriate rating of 4.5 tog on one side and 7.5 tog on the other.

Natural or synthetic?

woolroom wool duvet in deluxe warm double - bedroom - goodhomesmagazine.com

Image: 2.5 tog natural wool duvet, from £41.99, Woolroom

There are two main categories of duvet filling: natural and synthetic, each with their own pros, and potential cons.

Natural materials tend to be more thermoregulatory – that means they keep your body warm if it’s cold out, or cool you down when it’s hot. One of t he best natural options for keeping you cool in summer is silk – breathable, thermoregulating and naturally hypoallergenic.

Synthetic fillings are also hypoallergenic, particularly important for a good night’s sleep if you’re already dealing with hayfever and heatMicrofibre filling is usually a good synthetic option as they are lighter than feather-filled duvets, but the fine fibres still give it a soft, luxurious feel. 

Duvets with synthetic fillings are more absorbent, helping to reduce dampness caused by sweat in the night, and easier to wash as the filling is evenly distributed, so won’t clump together like some natural duvets. Synthetic styles are less durable however, so will last fewer summers than natural duvets.

All season duvets

John lewis & Partners all seasons 13.5 removable duvet - bedroom - goodhomesmagazine.com

Image: Synthetic all seasons duvet, from £72, John Lewis & Partners 

If you have limited space and don’t want to buy multiple duvets for the different seasons, consider an all-season duvet. This duvet from John Lewis & Partners combines a 4.5 and 9 tog duvet, fastened together. This gives you the option of a super light, medium or heavier tog duvet all in on go.

 

Have you made the change to a summer duvet yet? Tweet us @goodhomesmag or post a comment on our Facebook page.

 

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