Down Duvets
A down duvet is probably the most classic choice among high-quality duvets. Feather-light, snug and exceptionally warming – down duvets have been for generations what many people associate with the perfect sleeping experience. Anyone who has ever slept in a good hotel under a high-quality down duvet knows the feeling: warmth without weight, cosiness without a build-up of heat.
At Interior Couture you will find high-quality down duvets from selected premium manufacturers. We are happy to advise you personally in selecting the right down duvet – by phone on +49 (0) 221 630 606 12 or in our shop.
What defines a down duvet?
Down is the fine, soft little feathers directly beneath the outer feathers of waterfowl such as geese and ducks. It sits on the animals' belly and protects them from the cold. Down consists of fluffy filaments that interlock and trap a great deal of air – these air pockets act as natural thermal insulation.
That is precisely what makes down one of the best natural insulators of all. A high-quality down duvet is at once feather-light and reliably warming, breathable and regulates the sleeping climate. With good care, a down duvet is a genuine long-term investment that brings pleasure for many years.
Types of down at a glance
What truly defines a down duvet is its filling. Three types of down are especially common, each with its own characteristics.
Goose down
Goose down is regarded as the highest-quality standard filling for down duvets. The down from geese is bundled into larger clusters than other types of down – this means higher fill power and better warmth performance. Goose down is also more resilient and longer-lasting than duck down. Anyone wishing to buy a down duvet for many years is typically well advised to choose goose down.
Duck down
Owing to the larger duck population, duck down is more readily available and therefore more affordable than goose down. It offers less thermal insulation than goose down, which makes it ideal for warmer bedrooms or for people who get warm quickly. Skilfully processed duck down nevertheless makes very comfortable duvets.
Eiderdown
Eiderdown is the most precious and rarest type of down of all. It comes from wild eider ducks in the northern seas (above all Iceland and Greenland) and is hand-gathered exclusively from abandoned nests. Eiderdown has a unique gripping structure that lets it cling together – this makes it exceptionally light and warming at the same time. You will find more about this special variety in our Eiderdown duvets.
Down duvets for allergy sufferers
High-quality down duvets are made to strict industry standards and are regarded as hypoallergenic. As an allergy sufferer, look out for the NOMITE seal. This international trademark confirms the hypoallergenic properties of a down duvet and is a good point of reference for people with a house-dust allergy.
Important: if you or a family member has a direct allergy to feathers or down, a down duvet is not the right choice. In that case, reach for a duvet with a synthetic fibre filling – these are modern, high-quality alternatives that contain no animal components whatsoever while offering similarly comfortable sleeping properties.
For cots we generally do not recommend down duvets: allergies cannot yet be reliably detected at such a young age, and the frequent washing needed in cots impairs the longevity of the down duvet.
Brands at Interior Couture
In our range you will find down duvets from some of the most renowned European manufacturers.
Dorbena from Switzerland stands for the highest Swiss manufacturing quality and exquisite craftsmanship. The manufacturer produces not only under its own name but also the duvets of the luxury brand Christian Fischbacher. This makes Dorbena one of the absolute top producers in the German-speaking region.
Dauny from Switzerland offers the finest bedding with uncompromising premium quality. Anyone seeking Swiss manufacturing tradition will find in Dauny a second strong anchor alongside Dorbena.
Billerbeck is a proven German brand quality with its own research for healthy sleep. The down duvets stand for solid, well-thought-out sleeping equipment with a long-standing tradition.
Hanskruchen is known for traditional down processing and places particular focus on the sustainable sourcing of its materials – an important aspect for environmentally conscious buyers.
Schlossberg, the Swiss bed linen specialist, also offers high-quality down duvets in the premium workmanship typical of the brand – ideal for anyone wishing to keep their sleeping equipment consistent with the brand.
Royfort complements the range with modern down duvets in the puristic design language typical of the brand. A good choice for customers seeking premium quality without a retro aesthetic.
Traumina from Germany specialises in high-quality down fillings and stands for solid, long-lasting workmanship.
The fashion brand BOSS Home brings modern style and luxurious sleeping ergonomics together in its own line of down duvets.
Which size is the right one?
A down duvet should be a little longer and wider than your bed – this way it hangs slightly over the sides and ensures optimal cosiness without any battles over the duvet. So measure the length and width of your mattress and allow for a little overhang.
The most common sizes for down duvets:
- 135 × 200 cm: standard size for single beds and double beds with separate duvets
- 155 × 220 cm: single bed with extra length – for taller people or more room to move
- 200 × 200 cm: classic size for double beds
- 200 × 220 cm: double bed with extra length – ideal for couples of above-average height
- 220 × 240 cm: luxury size for particularly large mattresses, such as American king-size beds
If your desired size is not listed, do get in touch – many of our brands also offer special sizes on request.
Warmth classes – which down duvet for which season?
Down duvets are usually offered in warmth classes, so that you can find the right variant depending on your bedroom temperature and personal warmth needs:
- Light duvet: for summer and well-heated bedrooms
- Medium duvet: for the transitional season – the universally usable variant
- Warm duvet: for cold nights and sleepers with a high need for warmth
- Four-seasons duvet: two combinable duvets with press studs – flexibly usable all year round
A four-seasons duvet is a particularly practical investment: in summer you use only the lighter duvet, in the transitional season the warmer one and in winter both joined together.
Fill weight and fill power – what to look out for
With down duvets there are two important quality metrics:
The fill weight indicates how much down is contained in the duvet. Look out for clear details such as 100% down or 90% down, 10% feathers. High-quality down duvets are transparent about their composition.
The fill power (also called loft) describes the ability of the down to regain its original volume – for instance after being compressed for transport. The higher the fill power, the more air pockets the down creates and the better the thermal insulation. Fill power is therefore a good quality indicator.
Important exception: with eiderdown the fill-power figure is less meaningful. Eiderdown derives its warmth not from volume but from its finely branched structure – even with a small fill quantity it forms an exceptionally well-insulating layer.
Caring for your down duvet
A down duvet needs less care than many think – the following basic rules suffice:
- shake it out regularly, ideally daily
- air it regularly, ideally outdoors on a dry day
- protect it from direct sunlight
- protect it from moisture
- store it in an airy place, not in plastic packaging
When do you wash a down duvet?
A down duvet only needs to be washed rarely – roughly every few years, if it is protected by a cover. When needed, we recommend professional cleaning that specialises in down bedding. Washing it yourself in the machine is possible but requires great care: a gentle cycle, delicates detergent, at least a double rinse cycle. When drying, clean tennis balls in the tumble dryer help to keep the down from clumping. Altogether, the drying process can take four to twelve hours.
A practical option is to use a down-duvet cover as an additional protective layer – this keeps the duvet clean for longer and means it needs cleaning less often.
Matching bed furnishings around your down duvet
A down duvet only unfolds its full comfort in combination with matching bedding. We recommend light, breathable satin bed linen or other high-quality bed linen, which does not hold back the lightness of the down. For a complete sleep system, you will also find matching pillows, fitted sheets and mattress protectors.
You will find all duvet variants in our duvets, with the eiderdown duvet as the premium variant and the silk duvet as an airy alternative.
Buy down duvets online at Interior Couture
Discover our selection of high-quality down duvets in various warmth classes, fillings and from selected premium brands. Since a down duvet is a long-term purchase, we are happy to advise you in detail – in person or by phone on +49 (0) 221 630 606 12.
Frequently asked questions about down duvets
How long does a down duvet last?
A high-quality down duvet from a premium manufacturer often lasts ten years and more with good care. What matters is regular airing, protection from moisture and, above all, the use of a down-duvet cover as a protective layer. This way you avoid frequent washing and preserve the loft of the down for many years.
What is the difference between goose down, duck down and eiderdown?
Goose down is the highest-quality standard filling – higher fill power, better thermal insulation, longer-lasting than duck down. Duck down is more affordable and ideal for warmer bedrooms. Eiderdown is the most precious variant – exceptionally light and warming, gathered from the abandoned nests of wild eider ducks in Iceland and Greenland.
Which down duvet is suitable for allergy sufferers?
High-quality down duvets with the NOMITE seal are hypoallergenic and suitable for house-dust allergy sufferers. If, however, you have a direct allergy to feathers or down, you should reach for a duvet with a synthetic fibre filling. Do get in touch – together we will find the right solution.
Which size do I need?
The down duvet should be a little larger than your mattress so that it hangs over the sides. For standard single beds, 135 × 200 cm is sufficient; for double beds, 200 × 200 cm or 200 × 220 cm. Taller people choose extra lengths such as 155 × 220 cm. Get in touch if your desired size is not listed.
How do I wash a down duvet?
Down duvets only need to be washed rarely – usually every few years is enough. We recommend professional cleaning that specialises in down bedding. If washing it yourself in the machine: a gentle cycle, delicates detergent, at least a double rinse cycle, a low tumble-dryer setting and clean tennis balls in the dryer to prevent clumping. The drying process can take several hours.
What does fill power mean with down duvets?
Fill power (also loft) describes how well the down regains its original volume, for instance after compression. The higher the fill power, the more air pockets and the better the thermal insulation. A high fill power is a good quality indicator for down duvets made of goose down or duck down. With eiderdown the fill power is less meaningful, as it derives its warmth from the fibre structure.
Which bed linen goes best with a down duvet?
Light, breathable bed linen made of Mako Satin or percale is particularly suitable, because it does not hold back the lightness of the down. Bed linen made of silk is also a high-quality companion. Heavy or dense bed linen can restrict the breathability of the down.
Which brands of down duvets do you carry?
In our range you will find down duvets from Dorbena (Swiss premium, also makes Christian Fischbacher duvets), Dauny, Billerbeck, Hanskruchen, Schlossberg, Royfort, Traumina and Boss Home. This means we cover the entire spectrum, from traditional Swiss manufacturing through German research quality to modern design brands and a fashion brand.
