Double Duvet Covers & Bedding

A UK double duvet is 200 x 200cm, and it sits on a double bed of 135 x 190cm, often sold as a 4ft6 bed. It is the only standard UK duvet that is square, which is worth knowing when you are putting it on and wondering why it will not line up.

Every double set here includes two housewife pillowcases at 50 x 75cm. A common frustration is that a double duvet can feel tight with two people, so plenty of couples size up to a king duvet on a double bed. Nothing stops you doing that, and it is the cheapest fix for duvet tug of war.

The bed is usually the largest single thing in the room, so the cover sets the tone more than anything else you buy. A plain or small repeat keeps a small bedroom calm. A large floral or bold check turns the bed into the feature and works best against plain walls.

Think about the fabric as much as the design. Brushed cotton is warm and matt, and suits autumn and winter. Polycotton and microfibre are lighter, cheaper and mostly non iron, which is the practical choice for a bed you strip every week. If you feel the cold, a brushed cotton or fleece fitted sheet under a lighter cover does more than a thicker duvet cover ever will.

What size is a double duvet in the UK?

200 x 200cm, and it is square. It fits a double bed of 135 x 190cm, also sold as a 4ft6 bed.

How many pillowcases come with a double duvet set?

Two, at the standard UK housewife size of 50 x 75cm. Single sets come with one.

Can I put a king duvet on a double bed?

Yes, and a lot of couples do. It gives more overhang on each side and stops the duvet being pulled off one of you. You would need a king size duvet cover to go with it.

What is the difference between a double and a king?

A double duvet is 200 x 200cm, a king is 225 x 220cm. The beds differ too: 135cm wide for a double, 150cm for a king.

Do these fit a small double?

A small double or 4ft bed is 120 x 190cm and takes a standard double duvet. You will get a little more overhang than on a full double, which most people prefer.