By Arabella Peterson Bedding 21.09.2025

Should You Swap Your Duvet for a Quilt This Summer?

Quilts aren’t just for winter – in fact, they’re perfect for warmer nights – here’s why.

Hands up if you associate quilts with frosty weather. It's understandable – for many of us, they conjure images of chilly nights and cosy winter bedrooms. This is likely because before duvets and central heating became the norm, quilts were once the warmest bedding option available. They’re ingrained in our minds as homey classics – images of sumptuous stitched layers piled onto rustic farmhouse style beds cementing their reputation as a cold-weather staple. And it’s true: in winter, they’re perfect for layering over a duvet to create extra warmth and texture.

But here’s the twist: a quilt can actually be one of the best swaps you make in summer. Unlike a lofty duvet, quilts don’t have the same thickness and weight. They provide that perfect in-between – enough coverage to feel comfortable and cocooned, but without the density. This summer – instead of deciding between a single flat sheet (soft, but very light), a cosy duvet (snug, but winter-suited) or nothing at all (too exposing!), a quilt offers a cooler, more adaptable option that makes sense as the weather warms.

1. Swap your duvet for a quilt and sheet combination

In hot weather, some find the bulk of a duvet a bit too much, even when it has an all-season, natural fill. Those who run hot at night might want to consider layering a quilt with just a flat sheet for that sweet spot between coverage and breathability. You’ll stay cosy without ever overheating.

2. Play with colour and pattern

Another cliché about quilts is that they’re a bit old-fashioned, or of the funky multicoloured patchwork ilk – but modern designs tell a different story. Simple square-stitched details and classic colour contrasts instantly elevate a room. In summer, you might like to lean into sun-washed hues – think Rust, Terracotta or Hazelnut – for a warm, earthy feel. For a coastal or nature-informed summer look, colours like Olive and Lagoon are fresh and grounding. Otherwise, a simple classic like Oatmeal or Charcoal is timeless and versatile. For something truly transeasonal, a two-tone quilt allows you to change the focal hue with the season.

3. Style at the foot of the bed

Not ready to give up your duvet completely? Fold a quilt neatly at the end of the bed. It adds a design accent by day and gives you an extra layer to pull up on cooler nights without committing to full winter warmth. For those who prefer the duvet look but the quilt feel, it’s as easy as removing the duvet each night and pulling up the quilt, and popping the duvet back on in the morning for that full, plush look.

4. Mix and match textures

Summer interiors are all about lightness and air. Pair your linen quilt with cotton sheets for a relaxed, breathable look. The contrast between the crispness of cotton and the stitched softness of a quilt creates a lived-in, effortless aesthetic. Layer in a throw or cushions in complementary colours and textures and you’ll have a bed that feels elevated yet perfectly relaxed for the season.

5. Take It beyond the bedroom

Quilts aren’t confined to sleeping. In summer, they’re perfect for impromptu picnics, taking to the beach as a cosy layer when the sun goes down, as a soft accent draped over the sofa for movie nights, or even spread out on a balcony for lazy afternoon lounging. Their versatility means they double as both a practical essential and a stylish accessory, seamlessly moving with you from indoors to out.

6. Choose Natural Materials

When it comes to summer bedding, fabric choice makes all the difference. Opting for a 100% French Flax Linen quilt means you’re getting the same breathable, moisture-wicking qualities that make linen sheets so beloved in warm weather. Linen naturally regulates temperature, keeping you cool when it’s hot and cosy when it’s chilly, so it’s an ideal material for a quilt you’ll use year-round. A bamboo fill enhances durability while offering subtle insulation. Together, they make for a bedding layer that’s not only comfortable year-round, but also a more sustainable choice. Plus, its relaxed texture only gets softer with every wash, giving your bed that effortless, lived-in look.