Having a good doona is critical to having a good night’s sleep. If you find yourself overheating in summer and shivering through winter, chances are you need a new doona. A good quality doona will help regulate your temperature, sleep better and feel better while you’re awake.
In this blog post, we’re going to take a deep dive and cover everything you’ve ever wanted to know about doonas!
What is a doona?
A doona is a blanket/bedding made up of a soft cover and filled with an insulating material. It can vary in weight with some doonas made extra warm for winter and others kept ultra light and breathable for summer.
Generally, you would use a doona with a quilt cover. This ensures that your bedding is hygienic and easy to clean.
How long should a doona last? A good quality doona should last 10+ years. It is a staple of your bedroom and quality really matters!
What is inside a doona?
The filling inside a doona can be made of various materials such as down, feathers, wool, synthetic fibres, or a combination of these.
Each material has it’s pros and cons but we are firm believers that down is the best filling! If you imagine your perfect doona to be soft, fluffy and ultra luxurious, chances are that you are imagining a down doona.
We recommend you check out our doona buying guide.
What’s the difference between doonas, quilts and duvets?
Doonas, quilts and duvets are essentially the same thing. It might be confusing, but these words are used interchangeably in Australia. They are all words for the blanket/bedding you put on top of your bed.
There is no difference between a doona, duvet and quilt! But keep in mind, the term duvet is more commonly used in Europe, although it can be heard here in Australia as well! So is a duvet a doona? Absolutely!
Different Types of Doonas
Not all doonas are created equal. Not only does the quality vary, but each doona is designed for different seasons and climates. Let’s take a look at the three main types of doonas:
Summer Doonas
A summer doona is lightweight and thin, making it perfect for warm summer nights. It will keep you cool and comfortable without making you too hot.
Bonny has developed a Summer doona especially for Australia. It is still fluffy and luxurious while being light and breathable.
All Season Doonas
An all-season doona is designed to be used throughout the year, providing just the right amount of warmth for both summer and winter.
Bonny's most popular quilt is our All Rounder. It is an all season doona which is the perfect weight for year round use.
Winter Doonas
A winter doona is thicker and heavier, providing extra warmth during the colder months. It will keep you cozy and warm without making you sweat.
Bonny's Winter doona is filled with industry leading 90% duck down. It's warm, snuggly and cosy.
How to choose the right doona?
The key to choosing the right doona is to consider your climate, personal comfort needs and budget.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Does my house have air conditioning/heating? Is my house well insulated or roughly holds the same temperature on hot/cold nights? If yes, then you most likely be able to use an All Season doona, like Bonny’s All Rounder.
- Do I get hot/cold when I sleep? Does this change by the season? If you think you’re a hot sleeper or live in a hot climate, maybe look for a summer weight doona (even for year round use). The same goes if you get cold, but look at a winter weight doona.
- Do I get sweaty when I sleep? This may be due to overheating, but it may also be due to a bad quality doona. Make sure you buy a breathable filling like down. Check out why Bonny's down is best.
Which doona filling is best?
Below is a list of a few of the most popular quilt fillings:
Down - The ultimate filling for luxury. It is breathable, light, fluffy and everything a good doona should be. Generally, it is more expensive than the alternatives. Keep an eye out for the percentage of down and fill power when comparing different manufacturers.
Feather - often confused with down, feathers are a cheaper alternative to down. We generally don’t recommend them as the feather quills can break (and lose fluffiness over time) and they can be prickly to touch.
Wool - It can be warm, but will usually be very heavy. A very different style to a down doona which is ultra light
Polyester/Synthetic fills - typically the most affordable but not very breathable nor warm. This is not something we would generally recommend, but if you’re driven by budget, then this is your best option.
There are plenty more to choose! But if your dream quilt is a hotel style, high loft and long lasting, then a down doona is the best doona you can buy.
How much should I spend on a doona?
The price of a doona can vary greatly depending on the quality and type of filling. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $1000+ for a good quality doona. Trust us when we say, a good quality doona is worth the investment. You will sleep better, feel better and it will last longer. We spend a third of our life in bed, a doona/quilt/duvet is worth the investment!
What size doona do I need?
We always recommend going one size larger than your bed.
For instance, if you have a queen bed, buy a king doona. Why? This looks so much better on your bed and is so much more comfortable - especially if you’re sharing the doona with someone else (no one likes a doona hog).
If you already have existing sheets (doona covers), you may want to stick to your current sizing, and that's ok too. We get it, bedding can be expensive.
Finally, if you have a King Single, please purchase a double doona. Trust us on this one.
Shop Australia's best doonas, quilts and duvets with Bonny.
There's a lot to consider when buying a new doona, duvet or quilt but at Bonny, we have made it easy. Choose your weight, choose your size and find it at your day. We have free 14 day returns - if you don't love it, don't keep it. We have over 100 five star reviews!
All Rounder
Versatile, cuddly, just right.
