How to measure for bedding and avoid getting it wrong
Short answer: Measure the duvet and not the bed. A duvet of 140 by 200 needs a cover of the same size, however wide the bed is. The sheet, on the other hand, is measured by the mattress, where length, width and depth all count.
The duvet decides the cover
The width of the bed says nothing about the size of the duvet. Two people in a wide bed may each have a narrow duvet, and one person may have a large duvet in a narrow bed. Lay the duvet flat on the floor and measure edge to edge both ways. See bamboo bedding.
Measure correctly
Use a tape measure rather than a folding rule so you can follow the edge. Smooth the duvet out, but do not pull it, or the measurement will be too large. Measure across the middle and not at the corners, where the filling is often drawn in. Write the sizes down for next time.
A cover that is too big gets cold
A cover larger than the duvet creates air pockets in the corners and along the edges. Those pockets get cold, and the duvet slides around inside the cover during the night. It is a common mistake, especially when people buy a bigger cover to be on the safe side.
A cover that is too small pulls tight
A cover that is too small squeezes the duvet filling into the middle. The filling cannot spread out, and the duvet becomes less warm exactly where you lie. It is also hard to get the duvet in, and the seams wear faster because they are constantly under strain.
The pillowcase follows the pillow
The same goes for the pillow. Measure it flat and choose a pillowcase of the same size. A pillowcase that is too big leaves a loose flap that folds under your cheek, and one that is too small squeezes the pillow so it feels hard. The size is usually on the label.
The sheet is measured by the mattress
For a sheet, the length, width and depth of the mattress all count. A thick mattress or one with a topper needs a fitted sheet with deeper corners. Measure the depth from the bottom to the top and add a little so the elastic can reach underneath. See bamboo single bedding 140x200.
Standard sizes make it easier
Most duvets follow a few standard sizes, such as 140 by 200 for a single and 140 by 220 for an extra long duvet. If yours is a standard size, finding a matching cover is easy. If your duvet has an unusual size, always measure it before you order.
Allow for shrinkage
Bedding shrinks slightly over the first washes as the fibres settle. That is normal and allowed for in most sizes. Wash at 40 degrees and dry on low heat so the measurements hold. High heat in the tumble dryer can shrink the cover more than intended. See washing and care.
Check before the first wash
Put the new cover on the duvet before you wash it for the first time. That way you can see whether the size fits while you can still exchange it. If the cover is clearly too big or too small now, washing will not improve it. Keep the packaging until you have tried it.
Frequently asked questions
Should I measure the bed or the duvet?
The duvet. The width of the bed says nothing about which cover you need. Lay the duvet flat and measure it edge to edge in both directions with a tape measure.
What happens if the cover is too big?
Air pockets form in the corners and along the edges, and they feel cold to lie next to. The duvet also slides around inside the cover during the night.
Does bamboo bedding shrink?
A little over the first washes, as the fibres settle. Wash at 40 degrees and dry on low heat, and it will stay at that size with the measurements holding.
See our range of Nordic Weaving bedding.
