A doona cover — or quilt cover, the terms are used interchangeably in Australia — is the single most impactful bedding purchase you can make. It sets the entire look of your bedroom and is the fabric your body touches all night. Yet most people buy one based on colour alone. This guide walks you through everything that actually matters: material, weave, size, closure, care and style, so you choose a cover you will love for years.
First, the terminology
Doona, duvet and quilt all refer to the same thing: the soft, filled insert that sits on top of you. The cover that slips over it is called a doona cover, quilt cover or duvet cover — again, all the same item. In this guide we will use "quilt cover" throughout. Knowing this saves a lot of confusion when shopping.
Step 1: Choose your material
Material is the most important decision because it determines how the cover feels and performs.
Cotton is the most popular and versatile choice — breathable, durable and easy to wash. A crisp percale cotton feels cool and fresh; a sateen cotton feels smoother and more luxurious. Ideal for most sleepers and especially good for warm Australian nights.
Linen has a relaxed, textured look and is extremely breathable, though it carries a higher price and a deliberately casual, lived-in appearance.
Bamboo and silk offer silky, temperature-regulating luxury, with bamboo the more practical of the two.
Blends (such as cotton-polyester) can offer wrinkle resistance and a lower price, which suits low-maintenance households.
Step 2: Understand the weave
Within cotton especially, the weave changes everything. Percale gives a matte, crisp, cool finish. Sateen gives a smooth, subtly lustrous, slightly warmer finish. Neither is better — it comes down to whether you prefer the fresh crispness of a hotel bed (percale) or a silkier drape (sateen). If you run hot, percale is usually the safer pick.
Step 3: Get the size right
Your quilt cover should match your quilt, not your mattress — though for most people those are the same size. Australian quilt covers follow standard bed sizes: Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King and Super King. If you like extra drape over the sides of the bed, or you share with a partner who pulls the covers, consider sizing up. Always check that the cover size matches the quilt you already own before buying.
Step 4: Check the closure and internal ties
Two practical details separate a good cover from a frustrating one. First, the closure: buttons, poppers or a zip along the open end keep the quilt enclosed. Second — and often overlooked — internal corner ties. These are small fabric loops inside the cover that secure to your quilt so it does not bunch up into one corner overnight. A cover with internal ties is far more pleasant to live with.
Step 5: Consider care and durability
Think honestly about how you live. If you wash bedding weekly and want it to survive years of that, prioritise a durable natural cotton or a wrinkle-resistant blend. If you love the look of linen and do not mind gentle care, that is a fine choice too. Avoid fabric softeners on natural fibres — they coat the threads and reduce breathability over time. Line drying where possible extends the life of any cover.
Step 6: Style it to your room
Finally, the fun part. Your quilt cover is the largest area of fabric in the room, so it anchors the whole scheme. Neutrals (oat, sandstone, ivory) create a calm, timeless base and are easy to restyle with cushions and throws. Stripes and checks add character and a relaxed, European feel. Bolder colours make a statement but are harder to restyle. A good approach: choose a versatile cover you will not tire of, then layer personality on top with cushions and a throw.
Explore quilt covers at The Simple Society
Our range spans crisp cottons, relaxed stripes and soft neutrals so you can find a cover that suits both your sleep and your space. The Copenhagen Doona Cover brings a bold stripe across year-round pure cotton. For a relaxed, pre-washed neutral, the Coastal Washed Bedding Set offers lived-in cotton softness, and the Juno Stripe Bedding Set pairs a subtle stripe with a smooth 500-thread-count cotton weave. For European stripe character, see the Marseille Stripe Bedding Set.
Browse everything in our bedding collection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a doona cover and a quilt cover?
There is no difference — doona cover, quilt cover and duvet cover are all names for the same item: the removable cover that slips over your quilt or doona. The terms are used interchangeably in Australia.
What is the best material for a quilt cover?
Cotton is the best all-round choice for most people — breathable, durable and easy to care for. Percale cotton suits warm sleepers, while sateen cotton offers a smoother, more luxurious feel. Bamboo and silk are excellent for temperature-regulating luxury.
Should a quilt cover match the mattress or the quilt?
It should match your quilt. For most people the quilt and bed are the same size, so matching the cover to your bed size works. If you have sized your quilt up for extra drape, match the cover to the quilt.
What are internal ties in a quilt cover?
Internal ties are small fabric loops inside the cover that attach to the corners of your quilt, stopping it from bunching or sliding into one corner overnight. They make a cover much easier to live with.
Percale or sateen — which should I choose?
Choose percale for a crisp, cool, matte finish that suits warm sleepers, and sateen for a smoother, silkier, slightly warmer finish. Both are quality cotton weaves; the choice comes down to personal preference.
