Add Cottagecore Style to Your Bedroom With One of Our Favorite Quilts

If you’re tired of swapping out your bedding every season, quilts are a versatile option that will keep you comfortable all year. Since they tend to be thin, quilts are also easier to store and leave room to layer other bedding for extra warmth when indeed. 

Quilts are made with one layer of batting between two layers of fabric. Usually, the top layer is more ornate, while the backing is a simpler fabric. The middle batting serves as the insulation. 

“There are a lot of beautiful quilts out there, but you shouldn’t pick a quilt based on its appearance alone,” Light says. “For quality sleep, you’ll want a temperature-regulating quilt with a comfortable texture and weight,” says Stephen Light, CEO and co-owner of Nolah Technologies. 

To help you find the best quilts, we tested a variety of options and asked our editors about their favorite quilts. In addition to Light, we also consulted Jennifer Tampasis, interior designer and CEO of Jennifer Lynn Interiors, and on what to look for when shopping for a quilt.

The Bottom Line

After testing quilts in our lab and at home, we chose the Parachute Organic Cloud Cotton Quilt as the best quilt overall for its breathability and lightweight material that makes it ideal for layering.

Other Quilts We Have Our Eye On

We’re excited to try these quilts from a couple of brands we’ve tested and loved. While we haven’t tested these quilts yet, we’ve consistently been impressed with the quality, comfort, and breathability of these brands’ other bedding options.

Saatva Aero Quilt

Whether you’re a hot sleeper or live in a warm climate, you can’t go wrong with the Saatva Aero Quilt. The quilt is made of a lightweight cotton-viscose blend, so it’s breathable to ensure you don’t overheat while you sleep. Plus, it’s stuffed with hypoallergenic poly fill for just the right amount of weight.

The Company Store Voile Quilt

Made with 100% cotton, The Company Store Voile Quilt is lightweight and super breathable, making it ideal for hot sleepers. The versatile weight means it can stay on your bed year-round, though you may want to add some extra layers in the winter. We also love that it comes in 17 colors and has a timeless look that would match any bedding.

Our Testing Process

We evaluated each quilt on its quality, comfort, breathability and temperature regulation, ease of cleaning, and durability. The quilts were tested both in our testing lab and at home. 

Before washing the quilts, we inspected the fabric to examine its texture and softness. We checked for any flaws in the material like loose threads, discoloration, or uneven edges. To check for shrinkage, we measured each quilt before and after the first wash. 

To assess the durability of the quilts, we used a pet brush on the fabric to mimic claws or other sharp objects that could snag the quilt. Then, we stained the fabric with coffee and attempted to remove the stain. We also washed and dried each quilt at least once following the care instructions. 

While sleeping with each quilt, we noted the breathability of the fabric and whether it could regulate our body temperature throughout the night.

After testing each option in our lab, we sent the top performers home with testers to see how they held up after six months of use. We made sure each quilt was comfortable and breathable year-round to choose the best quilts to include in our list.

What to Know About Quilts Before Shopping

Weight and Material

Quilts are fairly light in general, making them a good option for year-round bedding. However, weight isn’t the only factor that determines warmth.

“It’s true that heavier quilts have more filling and thus can keep you warmer than their lighter counterparts,” says Light. “But choosing the right material is just as important for temperature control.”

Light recommends temperature-regulating materials like linen and bamboo. “With these materials, you don’t need to switch to a heavier or lighter quilt when the seasons change.”

Cotton is another great material for temperature regulation. “Smooth and soft to the touch, cotton is very effective at absorbing sweat and moisture,” says Tampasis.

While shopping, keep in mind that synthetic materials like polyester and microfiber tend to trap heat, making them unfit for the warmer months.

Care

If you’re using quilts as your main blanket while you sleep, you may find that you want to wash it often. Though materials like cotton and linen are typically safe to put in a washing machine, we recommend always checking the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it’s being properly cleaned.

Style

The best quilts are more than bedding; they also function as decor and add visual interest to your bed. Styles include patchwork, applique, paper pieced (and its cousin English paper pieced), scrap, string, and more. 

“Quilts are an art form,” says Tampasis. “How to choose comes down to the artistic look, the fill, and, as [with] all art, what speaks to you.”

Your Questions, Answered

What is the difference between a quilt, blanket, and comforter?

On a technical level, a blanket is made of just one piece of fabric. Both quilts and comforters, on the other hand, usually have three layers. Quilting is the process of stitching those layers together.

Quilts are stuffed with batting material on the inside and typically have a non-decorative bottom layer and a more ornate top layer with patches or stitched patterns and designs. Comforters are usually simpler in design and fluffier in fill, with more loft and generally more warmth as well.

Who We Are

Molly Blanco is a senior writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She has slept with a quilt as her only top-of-bed piece for the last two years, so she knows what makes for a breathable and high-quality quilt. For this article, she asked our team of editors about the quilts they use and love. She also referenced insights from our experts who evaluated quilts in our testing lab and at home for six months. 

Additional reporting was conducted by Rena Behar and Nicole Pyles, who interviewed interior designer Jennifer Tampasis and sleep science coach Stephen Light.