Quilts and coverlets both sit on top of the bed, both look neat and both are lighter than a comforter, so it’s no surprise people mix them up. But they’re made differently, they feel different and they suit different bedrooms and seasons. This guide explains the difference between a quilt and a coverlet and helps you decide which one is right for you.
What is a quilt?
A quilt has three layers: a decorative top, a middle layer of batting for warmth and a backing fabric. The layers are stitched together, often in patterns, which is called quilting. Traditional quilts are made from pieced fabric patches, but modern quilts can have a single printed or solid top.
Quilts are typically mid-weight, warmer than a coverlet but lighter than a comforter. They often hang slightly over the sides of the bed.
What is a coverlet?
A coverlet is a lightweight bed covering that usually has little or no batting. It may be woven, quilted, embroidered or textured, and it’s typically designed to cover the top of the bed and just past the mattress edge, without reaching the floor. Coverlets have a tailored, neat look and are often used as a decorative top layer.
Quilt vs coverlet at a glance
- Weight: quilts are warmer; coverlets are lighter.
- Construction: quilts have three layers stitched together; coverlets are thinner, sometimes a single woven layer.
- Size: quilts drape further over the sides; coverlets are sized to just cover the mattress.
- Style: quilts feel cozy, handmade and traditional; coverlets feel tailored and clean.
- Use: quilts can be the main covering in mild weather; coverlets are often a decorative or summer layer.
How they compare to comforters and duvets
Comforters
Thick, fluffy and filled, comforters are the warmest single layer. They’re great for winter but can be bulky.
Duvets
A duvet is a filled insert that goes inside a removable cover. Duvet covers are easy to wash and change.
Where quilts and coverlets fit in
Quilts and coverlets are thinner and flatter, and they’re easy to layer. Many people use one over sheets in summer and add a comforter or duvet on top in winter. Our guide to bedding layers explains how to combine them.
Choosing a quilt
Pick the style
Traditional patchwork suits farmhouse, cottage and vintage rooms. Modern solid quilts with simple stitching suit contemporary rooms.
Consider the fabric
Cotton quilts are breathable and easy to wash. Look for tight, even stitching.
Think about meaning
Quilts often carry sentiment. A personalized quilt with family names or a favorite theme makes a gift that’s treasured and passed down.
Choosing a coverlet
Look at texture
Matelassé, waffle, honeycomb and embroidered coverlets add pattern without color.
Choose the right size
Measure your mattress so the coverlet covers the sides neatly.
Think about the season
In summer, a coverlet can be the only layer over sheets. In winter, it makes a smooth base for a heavier comforter.
Layering ideas
- Summer: breathable sheets plus a coverlet.
- Spring and fall: sheets, a quilt and a throw at the foot of the bed.
- Winter: silky sateen sheets, a quilt or coverlet and a duvet on top, with a chunky chenille blanket for extra warmth.
For more winter ideas, see our post on cozying up your bedroom in winter.
Caring for quilts and coverlets
- Check the label before washing.
- Wash on a gentle, cool cycle with mild detergent.
- Dry on low or air-dry to protect stitching and prevent shrinkage.
- Treat antique or handmade quilts with extra care, and consider hand-washing or professional cleaning.
- Store folded in a breathable cotton bag, and refold occasionally along different lines to prevent permanent creases.
So, which should you choose?
Choose a quilt if you want a cozy, textured layer with some warmth and a handmade feel. Choose a coverlet if you want a light, tailored layer for warm weather or a neat base under a comforter. Many people own both and switch with the seasons. Our blanket buying guide covers more bed-layer options.
A short history of quilts and coverlets
Quilting has been used for centuries to make warm bedding from layered fabric, and patchwork quilts became a way to reuse precious scraps of cloth. Many quilts were made by families and communities and passed down through generations, which is why quilts still carry such sentimental value today. Coverlets have a long history too. Woven coverlets were once made on home looms, often with intricate geometric patterns, and they were prized as the finest bed covering in the house.
Decorating with quilts and coverlets
A quilt or coverlet doesn’t have to stay on the bed. Folded over the back of a sofa, draped over an armchair or hung on a wall, a beautiful quilt becomes a piece of art. Coverlets can double as picnic blankets in summer or as an extra layer for guests. Mixing a patterned quilt with solid sheets and simple pillows lets the quilt take center stage.
Quilts for the outdoors
Quilts aren’t only for the bedroom. A sturdy cotton quilt is great for camping, picnics and cozy evenings around a fire pit. Choose a washable quilt with dark or patterned fabric that hides marks, and keep it in the car for impromptu outings.
FAQ
Is a quilt warmer than a coverlet?
Usually, yes. Quilts have a layer of batting; coverlets have little or none.
Can I use a quilt instead of a comforter?
In mild weather, yes. In winter, layer a quilt under a comforter or duvet.
Do coverlets go on top of comforters?
Usually it’s the other way around: a coverlet sits on the bed, and a comforter or duvet is added on top or folded at the foot.
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