USEFUL TIPS
Bedspread vs. Comforter: Which One Do You Need?
5 min read
5 min read
When it comes to bedding, there are a lot of choices to make. From the color of the sheets to the style of the pillows, every detail can make a big difference to the look and feel of your bedroom. But perhaps one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is whether to go with a bedspread or a comforter.
At first glance, however, it may not seem like that big of a decision. After all, they both serve the same basic purpose: covering your bed and keeping you warm. However, there are actually some key differences between the two that can impact their performance and overall aesthetic appeal.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at bedspreads and comforters, exploring their features, benefits, and drawbacks. Whether you’re in the market for a new bedding set or are simply looking to upgrade your current decor, we’re here to help you decide which option is right for you.
What Is a Bedspread?
Bedspreads are a type of bed cover. They’re lightweight and can serve as a standalone bedding option during warmer summer months or as an additional layer to a comforter during colder weather.
But they’re useful outside of more extreme temperatures, too. They provide just the right amount of comfort and warmth without leading to overheating while you sleep, which can interfere with the quality of your sleep.
Because they’re much more lightweight and often more inexpensive than comforters, bedspreads are more likely to come in exciting colors, patterns, and textures. They’re a great way to add some personality or a pop of color to your sleeping space.
What Is a Comforter?
A comforter is the classic bed covering, whether using a comforter with a duvet cover or on its own. It’s a dense bed covering that’s generally composed of many layers of fabric and filling material. They’re frequently filled with down — usually duck or goose. Down is just the soft under-feathers birds use to keep warm, and they can do the same for you as part of your comforter. But if avoiding animal products is important to you, many down alternatives can deliver the same softness and warmth.
Comforters are mainly intended to provide warmth and insulation, ensuring a cozy and comfortable sleep during colder weather. But comforters come in a wide range of insulating abilities.
When it comes to comforters, “togs” refer to the measure of their warmth and insulating ability. The tog rating is a unit of measurement used to determine the level of thermal resistance a comforter provides. It’s a pretty simple system — the higher the tog rating, the warmer and more insulating the comforter will be.
Togs can range from one to 15, with one being the lightest and most breathable and 15 being the thickest and warmest. Choosing a tog rating that corresponds to the climate and your personal preferences is important to ensure a comfortable night’s sleep.
Which One Is Best for You?
Having a comforter or a bedspread is pretty much non-negotiable for your bedding. But which one works best for you and your space depends on your individual needs and personal taste — so there really isn’t one that’s “better,” although there may be one option that’s better for you. So let’s quickly compare and contrast these two options to help you decide.
1. Think About Care and Durability
It’s tempting to make aesthetics the number one deciding factor when it comes to choosing your bedding, but it’s more important to think about how these pieces will hold up over time and whether or not they’ll make your life easier or harder in the long run.
Bedspreads are often thinner and less complicated in construction, which is probably easier to wash and care for. Depending on the material, it can also mean that they don’t last as long. This might be a good thing if you like to change up your style frequently!
But a comforter is the stronger choice if you’re looking for something long-term and reliable. And while some comforters can be difficult to wash and care for, our Miracle Made Comforter makes things easy for you.
Not only is it easy to wash, but it’s made from silver-infused fabric, so you have to wash it 3x less frequently than traditional options. They’re odor-resistant and better for your skin. Plus, our comforters are thermoregulating, so whether you sleep hot or cold, this comforter will keep you at the perfect temperature all night long.
In fact, all of our bedding has these amazing properties, so if you’re starting from scratch and hate doing laundry, start with Miracle Made.
2. Think About Warmth and Weight
If you live somewhere with year-round warm weather, you may not need more than a bedspread to keep you comfortable at night. But if you’re in a colder climate or experience more extreme temperature changes, you may need something more substantial, like a comforter, to keep you warm.
But there’s also a spectrum on both of these fronts. As we mentioned above, comforters can vary in weight and thickness. Likewise, bedspreads come in a wide variety of thicknesses and provide different levels of warmth. A thin, brightly colored bedspread may provide the pop of color you need without adding much weight — but a faux-fur bedspread is likely to keep you warm and create a cozier atmosphere.
3. Don’t Choose — Layer Up!
There’s also the option of using both and layering! By using both a comforter and a bedspread, you can have the warmth and coziness of a comforter with the additional style options provided by a bedspread.
This will enable you to switch up your bedding depending on the weather…or even your mood. If you get tired of your decor regularly, having one reliable comforter and a few different bedspreads to mix things up and add both style and warmth is a great option.
But if you’re worried that’s excessive — don’t. Sometimes, doing something just because it makes you feel special is worthwhile. Little acts of self-care, like treating yourself to a more luxurious bedding set-up or wrapping your hair up in a towel after a shower, can actually correlate positively with improved mental health.
Takeaway
In conclusion, the choice between a bedspread and a comforter ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific bedding needs. Bedspreads are versatile, lightweight, and offer a more traditional look, while comforters are cozy, fluffy, and provide more warmth.
Both options have their pros and cons, so it’s important to consider factors such as your sleep preferences, bedroom decor, and budget when making your decision. After all — your sleep environment can have a huge impact on your quality of sleep!
Whether you opt for a bedspread or a comforter, investing in high-quality bedding that meets your needs and reflects your style will make all the difference in achieving a comfortable and restful night’s sleep.
Sources:
Good Sleep Environment | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Caring for Your Mental Health | National Institute of Mental Health
Effects of Thermal Environment On Sleep and Circadian Rhythm | National Library of Medicine
