For a good night’s sleep, you need a comfortable and cozy bed. Your bedding is a crucial element of this—your pillow, blankets, comforter, and everything in between.

There are plenty of bedding options to put over your bed, such as duvets, bedspreads, quilts, comforters, throws, and coverlets. These terms often seem interchangeable, but they have specific industry definitions and use cases depending on the climate and the level of comfort you want to achieve.

This article focuses specifically on coverlets.

Have you ever wondered what is a coverlet?

It functions as a decorative and protective layer placed on top of a comforter or bedspread. It is usually a lightweight fabric made of woven or quilted material.

What is the purpose of a coverlet? How do you use it? Keep reading to get your answers.

A coverlet is a lightweight blanket that is used primarily for extra decoration. However, it can also come in handy if you want extra warmth.

So, what is a coverlet for a bed? 

Coverlets do not contain extra layers. They are light, short, and have a woven texture similar to a quilt. However, they do not have batting between the two sheets of fabric like quilts. 

What is a coverlet used for on a bed? 

It is a versatile piece of bedding that you can keep folded at the foot of your bed as a decorative piece. You can also lay it between your duvet and top sheet for extra warmth. 

Beddings provide cushion, warmth, and decoration. There are many different types:

• Bed sheets: These are placed over a mattress to create a clean and comfortable sleeping surface. A coverlet is put over a bed sheet and underneath a duvet or comforter. 
  If you have ever wondered: Does a coverlet go over a comforter? This must answer your question. 

• Blankets: A blanket is a relatively thin piece of fabric that traps body heat to maintain warmth. 
  A coverlet covers the bed and not the sleeper. So, is a coverlet like a blanket? As mentioned above, a coverlet is meant for the bed and not the sleeper; hence, it is not a blanket. 
  However, it can still be used as a blanket when you need extra warmth during winter or when a duvet or comforter is too thick to be used during summer.

• Comforters: Comforters are thick beddings that contain natural or synthetic filling for warmth. 
  Are you wondering can you use a coverlet as a comforter? The answer is no. A coverlet is a thin fabric placed between a bed sheet and comforter.

• Duvets: Duvets are similar to comforters, but they have a thick outer cover that protects the stuffing from leaking out. 
  A coverlet is often placed underneath a duvet.

• Quilts: Quilts are thick, warm beddings similar to comforters and duvets, composed of layers of fabric and filling that are sewn together in quilting patterns. 
  A coverlet is thinner than a quilt, and it cannot provide the same warmth.

• Bed skirts: They hang from the sides of the bed to conceal the space underneath. 
• Mattress Toppers/Pads: These thin cushions are placed on top of mattresses for additional support and comfort. 
• Pillows: Pillows support the head and neck when lying on the bed. 
• Throw pillows/shams: These small pillows serve a primarily decorative purpose. 

Quilts and duvets are the two beddings that are often confused with one another and with coverlets. It’s understandable, as all three are different variations of bed coverings. 

The main difference between coverlet vs quilt vs duvet comes down to the inner filling or middle layer. While coverlets are light fabrics with no filling, quilts and duvets are heavy, with a fluffy layer of batting within. Duvets are often filled with down, wool, or feathers, giving them a fluffier look than quilts. 

What is a bed coverlet used for?

It can come in handy for the following:

• To decorate your room – A coverlet can add a decorative element that enhances the bedroom’s overall visual interest. It can add colors, shades, textures, layers, and patterns to your existing bedding.
• For a light covering – In the absence of a top sheet (a thin bed sheet that can be used to cover oneself when sleeping), you can use a coverlet during hot weather. So, can you sleep under a coverlet? Yes, if you want to. 
• When it’s too hot for a duvet – It can also be used in place of a duvet or comforter in hot weather.
• For transitional bedding – A coverlet easily be added and removed to accommodate transitions in local weather. You can put one on or remove it according to your comfort.

Why use so much bedding? Is it of any use?

Are coverlets good for summer? Will they be useful during winter? We have the answers right here…

There are many reasons to use a coverlet:

• In summer: A coverlet is a good option for hot sleepers who are uncomfortable with duvets or quilts during summertime. 
• In winter: if you are still feeling cold underneath a thick comforter, a coverlet provides an extra layer of warmth. 
• Year-round: If you want extra decoration for your room, a coverlet is the perfect way to achieve the look you want. You can keep it at the foot of your bed all year long. 

A coverlet is also a soft bedding that your pets will love. Have a look at this cute kitty loving the feel of a coverlet:

My cat, slowly sinking into the coverlet, and mad at me for laughing… pic.twitter.com/ls1uUhal2i

— Margaeyre (@margaeyre) November 24, 2020

Now that we know the answer to how is a coverlet used, let’s have a look at how to choose one for yourself. 

Coverlets have gained a lot of popularity among homeowners looking for a more sophisticated and modern look. They are available in many styles, colors, prints, and designs. 

A gorgeous coverlet from the 1800s demonstrates this bedding’s potential for adding fun dimensions to a space:

Coverlet, ca. 1876 #americanart #themmet https://t.co/1plISfBqv6 pic.twitter.com/t4VvwTbCnT

— American Deco. Art (@met_americanart) January 15, 2023

A tight-fitting coverlet is best used for a guest room where you do not have to make the bed often. A reversible coverlet is great for switching up a look instantly according to your mood, season, or just for fun. You can also get a coverlet set with various designs.

When styling a coverlet, you have several options:

Style 1: Lay it as a top sheet in the middle of the bed, folded in three layers.

Style 2: Fold the coverlet in half and lay it at the foot of the bed.

Style 3: Lay it across the bed and fit it tightly under the mattress.

Coverlets are often made of cotton or linen, so you can put them in the washing machine with the rest of your bedding. Check the washing instructions on the tag, as some coverlets are strictly dry-clean or hand-wash only. 

They are pretty low maintenance—if they do not come in contact with your skin and remain between other beddings, you do not have to wash them too often. However, if you use a coverlet as a primary blanket, you must wash it at least once a month. And like any other bedding, it is better to air-dry a coverlet. As it does not have any middle fillings, it can be ready to use within a day.

A coverlet is a small blanket that can be used for decorative purposes. It is much smaller and does not hang down to the floor and above the pillows like a traditional bedspread.

A coverlet is mostly used for decorative purposes. However, it can also be used with a duvet for extra warmth during winter. It can be the only blanket for people who do not want heavy blankets like duvets or a quilt in the summer.

A coverlet is a thin blanket that goes below a comforter or duvet. It can also be kept at the foot of the bed for decoration.

You can use a coverlet for extra warmth if you are still feeling cold under a comforter or duvet.

For layering a bed with a coverlet, make your bed including your top sheet (duvet or comforter). Now double or triple-fold your coverlet and lay it at the foot of your bed or in the middle.

Yes. Hotels use coverlets as they are great decorative bedding that improves the room’s overall look.