As the nights get warmer, the question starts nagging: isn't your duvet too warm? Should you buy a summer duvet, or is a 4-season duvet smarter? Both solutions have their own advantages. In this article we put them side by side, so you can make a choice that suits your bedroom, your budget and your storage space.
The options at a glance
The 4-season duvet
A 4-season duvet usually consists of two parts: a light layer and a slightly warmer layer. You can use them separately or fasten them together with press studs or ties. In summer you sleep under the light layer, in spring and autumn under the warmer one, and in winter under both together.
The summer duvet
A summer duvet is a separate, light duvet that you use specifically for warm nights. The rest of the year you sleep under your regular duvet. So you have two separate duvets that you alternate.
One duvet for the whole year
There is also a third route: one duvet with a light to medium warmth rating that you use all year round. You then mainly adjust the rest of your bed, for example with an extra throw in winter.
Pros and cons of a 4-season duvet
- Plus: flexible. You can choose how much warmth you want each season.
- Plus: you buy one set instead of separate duvets.
- Minus: fastening the two parts together is an extra step, and the parts can shift relative to each other.
- Minus: with a classic 4-season duvet you also need a large duvet cover, and washing two parts takes more time.
Pros and cons of a summer duvet
- Plus: it is one light whole, without studs or ties.
- Plus: you can match the summer duvet exactly to warm nights.
- Minus: you need storage space for the duvet you are not using at the moment.
- Minus: you have to switch at the right moment; Dutch weather does not always stick to the calendar.
Which choice suits you?
Choose a 4-season duvet if...
- the temperature in your bedroom varies a lot by season;
- you have little storage space but want a lot of flexibility;
- you do not mind fastening two parts together.
Choose a summer duvet if...
- your bedroom gets really warm in summer, for example under a flat roof or in the attic;
- you sleep perfectly well under your regular duvet for most of the year;
- you have a cupboard or under-bed drawer to store the other duvet.
Choose one duvet for the whole year if...
- your bedroom has a fairly constant temperature;
- you want to switch and store as little as possible;
- you are happy to simply use an extra throw in winter.
Practical tips for warm nights
- Keep the curtains closed during the day on the sunny side, so your bedroom heats up less.
- Air the room in the evening and at night, when it is cooler outside than inside.
- Choose breathable fabrics for your fitted sheet and nightwear.
- Wash your duvet more often in summer. With a duvet without a cover, you can wash it as a whole. Read how often to wash your duvet.
How does it work at Snoozella?
The ComfyBed is designed as a duvet for the whole year, with warmth rating 2 and 300 g/m² microfibre filling. For many people that is a comfortable middle ground: airy enough for the warmer months, and comfortable in a normally heated bedroom in winter. The reversible ComfyBed Duo is also a duvet for the whole year.
Snoozella also has a light Summer duvet for warm nights. Keep an eye on the light duvets collection for availability.
Want to switch as little as possible? Then take a look at the duvets for the whole year. They are washable up to 60 °C without a duvet cover, and you get a 30-night sleep trial.
Read also
- Duvet warmth ratings explained
- Microfibre or down: which duvet suits you?
- How long does a duvet last and when should you replace it?
Frequently asked questions
Is a 4-season duvet the same as a duvet for the whole year?
Not quite. A 4-season duvet usually consists of two separate parts that you combine. A duvet for the whole year is one duvet that you use in all seasons.
Can I sleep under a duvet for the whole year in summer?
That is perfectly fine if your bedroom does not get very warm. If it gets really hot, a lighter summer duvet or just a sheet can be more comfortable.
How do I store a duvet I am not using for a while?
Wash it first and let it dry completely. Then store it in a breathable bag, in a dry place.
