duvet Archives - Journeys Are My Diary

When it comes to choosing the right duvet for your luxurious and cosy bed, you have many different options, not only in terms of design, but also in terms of filling. With several fillings to choose from on a 100 cotton duvet cover, it can become confusing and difficult to know which one is right for you, so continue reading for a short guide that will help you make the best choice.

A Word About the TOG Rating

The TOG rating on any duvet is basically how cool or warm it will make you feel throughout the night. It is actually a unit that refers to the amount of body heat that the duvet will end up retaining, so the more body heat it can retain, the warmer you will be. Bear in mind that the TOG rating does not represent the thickness or heaviness of the duvet, as lightweight options can really do a great job of insulating your body and keeping you warm in the colder seasons of the year.

A TOG of 13.5 means the duvet will be really warm and ideal for the winter. 10.5 or 9.0 means it will be warm, but ideal for autumn and spring. And 4.5 or 3 means the duvet is great for summer because it will keep you cooler.

Feather and Down Fillings

Duvet fillings that are considered natural include down and feathers. Down is the lightest option, while feathers contain quills and are firmer. These materials are breathable, and they can insulate you quite well when it is cold. However, it should be noted that these materials could contribute to allergies because of the dirt and dust that can collect in these duvets.

Silk Filling

A silk duvet is constructed from fibres that have been layered on top of one another. Therefore, silk filled duvets tend to have a flatter appearance, particularly when compared to duvets that are filled with down or feathers. However, allergy sufferers can benefit from silk filled duvets because the material is naturally hypoallergenic, as well as resistant to dust mites that can lead to allergies. Look for silk duvets that contain A Grade Mulberry silk or wild silk.

Synthetic Filling

Many duvets are considered cruelty free because they do not consist of any materials that are derived from animals. These duvets use synthetic fibres instead, making them less expensive but just as effective as duvets using natural fillings. Also, these materials are best for people who suffer with allergies. And another perk to synthetic filling is the fact that it is easier to care for and maintain than natural fibres, and you can wash these duvets more often. Again, opt for the right TOG rating to determine how warm you want the duvet to keep your body at night.

Now that you have a better idea of the different types of duvet fillings that are available, and the drawbacks and benefits of each, you can choose the one that is right for your particular needs.

It’s been a while since I wrote a wishlist, so I figured I’d share my latest “wants” with you. This week the new Next catalogue came through the door and this lead me to window shop their website. As such, my wishlist is all from Next and they are all household items. (No Disney in sight – can you believe it?!)

A. Bedroom Rules cushion £10 // B. Bedroom Rules bed set £25-£55 // C. Heart Kettle £32

D. Set of 3 Stripe Storage Jars £21 // E. Weekly Chalk Board Planner £40

First up on the list, is actually a cushion and bed set that Chris pointed out to me in another magazine. The Next version is actually much nicer though. The cushion reads: Always kiss me goodnight, give hugs & kisses, snuggle up, sleep soundly, bring me breakfast in bed, xxx. The duvet cover reads: Love is all you need, don’t worry be happy, give hugs & kisses, snuggle often, love truly, sleep soundly, always kiss me goodnight, you & me, Sleep, Snooze, Slumber, Rest, Relax, sleep tight, sweet dreams, dream big, happily ever after, be honest & love one another. It’s a little bit soppy but due to the neutral colours, its a great way of getting a girlie touch on our bedroom. We have quite a collection of duvet covers as it is, but I’d definitely love to add this one to it.

Next up is a new shiny red heart kettle! Since buying myself a red food mixer, I knew it wouldn’t be long before I wanted everything red in the kitchen. We have a beautiful black cooker and a beautiful black washing machine, both of which were bought in the last 8 months. We have lovely white cupboards and the red would go just perfectly. Red is my favourite colour and I have to try hard not to put red in every room! However red, white and black is just too good together to pass up on. Recently I’ve been noticing just how shabby my old kettle is looking and this would be a great replacement. Not only do I love red but I have a thing for red hearts too. This would be a great replacement kettle. Also the set of 3 stripe storage jars would go great as well. At present my tea, coffee and sugar jars are tucked away in a cupboard because they look so shabby and rubbish (one is even quite chipped and cracked). I’ve struggled to find some canisters that I really like, but finally I think these are the ones.

Last but not least, I stumbled across this really cute weekly chalk board planner. I don’t honestly know if I would use it but I do love the idea of being organised and planning what’s going on, what food we’re eating etc. At the moment I have a thick notepad calendar type thing that I plan our meals on, but it means wasting a piece of paper each week. A blackboard that we could wipe would be great. It also looks pretty awesome.

As always, there are lots more things I’d lust after from Next, but these are some of the things that stood out for me. Look out for more wishlists, coming soon!