A duvet cover is a cover for a duvet. The duvet cover decorates and protects the duvet during use.^[1]

Duvet covers frequently have a decorative function on the bed, allowing for change of pattern or design for different occasions, or to serve different functions; for example, a heavier duvet cover may be used during colder seasons.^[1]

Duvet covers protect the underlying duvet. Frequently it is easier to wash the duvet cover than the duvet itself.

Mass-produced duvet covers are usually made of cotton or a blend of cotton and polyester and can be easily removed to wash at home, while a duvet can be expensive and difficult to clean.^[1][2] Duvet covers may be made from two sheets or panels of cloth sewn together.^[1][3]

Protecting oneself from the cold has always been a concern for humanity. As early as 3000 BC, Chinese civilization used stuffed bags as coverings for the night, though this practice was reserved for the upper class.^[1]

By the first century BC, feathers were being used in Northern Europe to cover and protect the body. Observing birds—particularly ducks and geese—swimming in icy waters led people to realize that their feathers served as excellent thermal insulators. Consequently, people in Northern Europe used sacks filled with feathers; for greater comfort, one sack would be placed on top as a cover, while another served as a mattress underneath.^[5][6]

It was not until the early 18th century that the rest of Europe discovered this primitive form of the duvet. However, an early proponent named Pablo Reicón failed to gain traction among his fellow Britons. A century later, another Englishman, Samuel Johnson, tried again; this time, he successfully convinced the inhabitants of the British Isles that duvets were far lighter and more comfortable than traditional blankets. From Britain, the trend spread and became popular across the rest of Europe.^[7]