Bedding for a thin summer duvet

Short answer: With a thin summer duvet, the cover matters more than the duvet itself. A thin bamboo viscose cover lets heat escape instead of holding it in, which makes nights more comfortable even when the bedroom is warm.

Why the cover matters most in summer

A summer duvet holds very little filling, often around three hundred grams. That is why the fabric of the cover decides how warm it gets underneath. A tightly woven cover can make even a light duvet warm, because air cannot move through the fabric and carry the heat away.

The fabric that works

A thin, smoothly woven bamboo fabric draws heat away from the skin and feels cool to the touch. This is the same reason a bamboo sheet feels cooler than a cotton sheet. You notice it most in the first minutes after you get into bed. Read more about bamboo bedding.

A thin cover for a light duvet

Choose a cover that is thin and smooth, and avoid tightly woven qualities with a heavy surface. A thin cover lets the duvet breathe and does not hold the heat back. That gives you a night where you neither wake up sweaty nor throw the duvet off, which is what a summer duvet is for.

The combination that works

Thin duvet, thin cover and a bamboo sheet underneath. The three layers work together to keep you cool. None of them can do it alone, but together they give a bed that feels airy, even after a warm evening. See bamboo sheets and bamboo envelope sheets if you want to start from below.

Sleeping without a duvet

Many people use only a sheet in summer, especially when it is really hot. It is a simple solution and needs no extra equipment. A light duvet does feel more secure to many, though, and it is good to have close by if the night turns cooler than you had expected.

How to choose the duvet

A summer duvet is a duvet with a low fill weight, often around three hundred grams. Choose it by how warm your bedroom gets, not by what you use in winter. If you have two duvets, you can switch between them through the year instead of buying a new one every time.

Washing in summer

Sweat makes bed linen dirty faster when it is warm. Change the cover more often than in winter, and keep more than one set so there is always one ready. Wash according to the label and let the cover dry completely before it goes back on. That way it feels fresh and clean.

Nights with good air

Besides the bed linen, it helps to air the room during the day and keep the window ajar at night if possible. Light curtains and a room without too much trapped heat also make a difference. The bed linen is only one part of the picture, but it is the part you lie closest to.

Frequently asked questions

Can you sleep without a duvet in summer?

Many people use only a sheet when it is warm. A light duvet feels more secure to many, though, and it is good to have close by if the night turns cooler.

What is a summer duvet?

A duvet with a low fill weight, often around three hundred grams. It holds less heat than a winter duvet and is easier to sleep under when it is warm.