A great quilt can really wake up your bedroom. (Target)
You switch out your wardrobe for warmer weather, but do you do the same for your bedding? If not, it's worth considering. Many of us, especially hot sleepers, don't need the heavy blankets people pile on their bed frames in the winter. "A light quilt or coverlet is a great alternative to bulky comforters — just enough to keep the chill away on crisp mornings while feeling airy and fresh," says Stacey Breezeel, co-owner of Shine Interior Design Studio. The best quilts also offer a fun design opportunity: Do you like a patchwork pattern or is a simple monochrome look more your style? Either way, their stitching has a nostalgic charm that's hard to resist.
To find the best quilts of 2025, I chatted with interior designers, bedding stylists and professional quilters. Quilts are typically stitched by hand or machine, with a layer of batting (aka fill or insulation) between two layers of fabric, so that's what I looked for. I reviewed dozens of quilts, keeping in mind the experts' tips and relying on my knowledge as a longtime home editor who grew up sewing and knitting. I also quizzed the pros on their favorite ready-made quilts — believe it or not, even quilters who prefer to do everything by hand confirmed there are great options at stores like Target and Crate & Barrel. "Adding a quilt to your bed gives you a designer look without the designer price," says quilter Christopher Thompson. "Quilts are and will continue to be rooted in American history."
Because quilts are so versatile, it pays to home in on how you want to use yours. Is it meant to be a statement piece? Are you looking for something that's simple and can be used all year? Even if you can't afford an heirloom-quality quilt, look carefully at the construction. "I find that people tend to skimp on bedding and buy the cheapest they can find with no regard to comfort, longevity and being able to easily launder it without ruining it. Bedding should look good, feel good and function well," says Veronica Vilora Solomon, president of Casa Vilora Interiors. Keep these other factors in mind, too:
Season: When do you plan to use your quilt? If it's a lightweight layer for warmer months, make sure it's made with breathable materials and that the fill is thin. If you're looking for a winter quilt, choose one that features multiple layers of batting, says Thompson. Or, use a thinner quilt in the winter, but pair it with other bedding, like Lainey Hollis, senior vice president of product creation at Boll & Branch, suggests: "In warmer weather, I’ll layer a quilt over a top sheet, which keeps me cool. In colder months, I like to place a quilt under a duvet to add texture or use it as a top layer to give the bed a finished, decorative touch."
Size: Unlike other bedding, the best quilts let you play with proportion. "You can use your creativity when thinking about size for your quilt," says Hollis. "For a balanced, tailored look, I prefer matching the quilt to the size of my bed. But if you’re looking for a cozy and more luxurious feel, sizing up can create a more generous drape and feeling."
If you end up with a quilt that's too small, "don't be afraid to use it as strictly a decorative item!" says Saafir. "Drape it over a chair, hang it on a wall, lay it at the edge of your bed. Think of quilts as an extension of artistic expression."
Fabric and fill: "I always say 'the hand knows.' You want something soft and breathable, and if it is soft to the touch, you will enjoy it on your bed," advises Jacobs. She says she sticks to 100% cotton quilts because they keep her feeling cool as a hot sleeper. "If you are ordering online, make sure the company has a good reputation and read the specifications to make sure the material is of high quality — look for descriptors like 'long-staple cotton,' 'Pima,' or 'Egyptian' cotton and check if there are certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or Oeko-Tex, which ensures safety and sustainably."
When it comes to fill, Saafir recommends natural materials like cotton. "It's great batting year-round. Wool batting is another one that's surprisingly lightweight and breathable. People think wool is for winter, but it's also great for summer. Polyester batting is not breathable." Whatever type it is, the batting should be consistently distributed throughout the quilt without lumps or thin spots.
Stitching: Stitching covers the surface of a quilt and adds to its unique look. It can be done by machine or by hand — most of the quilters I spoke to use both methods. The closeness of the stitches determines how lofty or lightweight the quilt is, explains Sebastian Brauer, senior vice president of product design at Crate & Barrel. "Our Celeste Quilt has a lighter batting weight because of the density of stitches, so it has a cozy textured and lightweight feel, while our Cotton Linen Velvet Quilt has hand-quilted tacks in a grid pattern, allowing for more batting, making it a bit loftier and warmer."
When you first buy a quilt, check that the stitching is consistent. "Stitches should be even and straight. It's a good idea to give the stitches a bit of a tug to see if they are secure," says Bercher. And of course, you shouldn't see any loose threads.
Your other bedding: "Consider the overall color story of the bed — a textured or patterned quilt, for example, adds dimension and a layer of visual interest against solid colored bedding," says Brauer. The goal is balance, adds Lopez. "If the quilt has a traditional, busier pattern, I tone down everything else — solid sheets, minimal pillows and a neutral rug or headboard. You want the quilt to feel intentional, not chaotic."
I quizzed a small army of interior designers, home goods designers, professional quilters and even a stylist who makes beds for a living (for photo shoots and displays) on their favorite quilts. In all honesty, I was surprised so many of the quilters I spoke to were willing to talk about store-bought options, but they all agreed that you can find plenty of well-made quilts online and in stores. Once I gathered their advice on construction, fabric, batting and other signs of a quality quilt, I started reviewing options. In total, I looked at around 50 quilts, taking into account customer reviews, care instructions and overall design. I also relied on my knowledge as a home editor with 20 years of experience and as someone who grew up sewing and knitting with my mom, an avid fabric collector.
The type of fabric, fill and stitching distinguish good quilts from the best bed quilts. Many store-bought quilts aren't even actually quilted or stitched, says Saafir, but are rather printed and then heat-embossed. Check photos and descriptions carefully and once you get the quilt home, "look for the consistency in the material content to make sure one fabric doesn't pull away from the other fabric. Also check the stitching technique used. You don't have to be an expert to spot a well-made quilt from one that isn't," says Vilora Solomon.
Though can serve similar purposes, says Hollis, these two blankets are constructed differently. As Brauer puts it, "A matelasse is a woven design, resembling a quilting stitch. Matelassés are lighter weight and have a decorative textural layer. Quilts are typically stitched by hand or machine to hold the bottom fabric layer, batting layer and top layer together."
Leslie Bercher, @leslie_quilts
Sebastian Brauer, senior vice president of product design, Crate & Barrel
Stacey Breezeel, co-owner, Shine Interior Design Studio
Lainey Hollis, senior vice president of product creation, Boll & Branch
Brooke Jacobs, stylist
Ann Lopez, founder, Studio 790
Latifah Saafir, CEO, Latifah Saafir Studios
Veronica Vilora Solomon, president, Casa Vilora Interiors
Christopher Thompson, @the_tattooed_quilter