Choosing a quilt for your child is an important decision that will impact their quality of sleep each night. Not only do they provide warmth and comfort throughout the year, they also give you the opportunity to add a cover and elevate the bedroom with a splash of colour, pattern and texture.
But what goes into buying the perfect quilt for your little one? We’ve put together a comprehensive kids quilt buying guide to help you narrow down your choices and select a quilt that will enhance your child’s sleep. Let’s get started by considering these factors:
- Filling - The filling is the most important part of the quilt as it impacts how heavy or light the quilt is and how well it can keep you warm. Natural cotton and bamboo quilts are lightweight and a top pick for summer as they are highly breathable. Wool quilts are heavier for winter while down quilts with a high loft are superior at retaining heat to keep you warm on chilly nights.
- Size - The size of your quilt is usually determined by the size of the bed. For example, a single quilt will fit a single bed nicely. However, it’s a good idea to go up one size if you prefer a quilt that gives you a beautiful drape and covers the sides of the mattress.
- Density - The density of a quilt is determined by its GSM rating. Generally, the higher the GSM rating, the heavier and warmer the quilt will be.
- Loft - Loft refers to how high the quilt sits on the bed or its thickness. It doesn’t affect warmth but it does affect how your little one will feel when bundled up in their quilt on a cold night. A quilt with a higher loft rating is equivalent to around 3 blankets.
- Ease of care - You want a kids quilt that will be easy to care for and maintain. Choose a quilt that’s machine-washable to take the hassle out of cleaning it plus one that is durable and doesn’t stain easily.
Invest in your child’s sleep
A good night’s sleep is essential for the healthy development of your child, both mentally and physically. Your choice of bedding has a lot to do with their quality of sleep. That’s why it’s important to spend some time thinking about the best quilts and sheets to send them off to dreamland! Ask yourself:
- What size quilt will fit the bed? If you like the look of a sumptuous bed with a quilt that extends past the mattress, it’s best to choose one that’s a size larger than the bed.
- What weight quilt will keep my child safe and comfy? This depends on whether your child is a hot sleeper or a cold sleeper. Quilts made from cotton and bamboo are lightweight and temperature regulating to help kids stay cool in summer. Wool quilts and feather down quilts are best kept to colder months due to their heavier weight and warmth. A microfibre quilt is a great all seasons quilt and keeps kids comfy all year round.
- Do I need an allergy-friendly quilt? If your child suffers from allergies, a hypoallergenic quilt will make the nights easier. Cotton and bamboo blend quilts are a safe choice.
Different types of quilts
The quilt filling has a lot to do with the weight of a quilt and how warm or cool it will be through each season. The most popular types of fillings include:
- Down quilts - Down quilts made with a goose down filling are super soft, light and warm. They’re ideal for cold climates. Down is also breathable making it suitable for warm nights. The more down in a quilt, the loftier and warmer it will be.
- Feather quilts - Feather quilts provide bulk and weight. They are typically combined with a down filling to give you the fluffiest, most luxurious bedding you can find. The key is in the ratio of down and feather. A quilt with a high percentage of down to feather will be toasty warm in the winter but still ultra-lightweight.
- Wool quilts - An Australian wool quilt is warm and durable. Wool is great at temperature regulating and responds well to body temperature. On cold nights, it draws moisture from the air to keep you warm, while in the summer it releases moisture to keep you cool.
- Synthetic quilts - Synthetic quilts are machine-washable and affordable. Microfibre quilts are light and can keep you warm all year round. They’re also allergy-friendly and excellent at repelling dust mites. Semi-synthetic quilts like tencel breathe well, are hypoallergenic and absorb moisture.
- Cotton quilts - Cotton quilts are crafted from natural fibres that are lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking and hypoallergenic. They make excellent summer quilts for these reasons and are super soft to touch and sleep in.
- Bamboo quilts - Bamboo quilts are silky soft, lightweight, eco-friendly and moisture-wicking for hot nights. Being natural, they’re also hypoallergenic which makes them a great option for allergy sufferers.
Choosing the right size doona for your kids
As we’ve discussed, the size of your quilt comes down to personal preference. You can buy a quilt that is the same size as your child’s mattress size, such as a single quilt for a single bed. If you prefer a fuller look that covers the entire mattress and lets your kid bundle up at night, go up a size and choose a double size quilt for a single bed or a queen size quilt for a double bed.
At Amart, we’ve got all of your quilt and bed linen needs covered in Australia. Browse our massive selection of quilts, covers and sheets for everything from a single bed to a super king bed at the most amazing prices. We’ve also got mattress protectors to extend the lifespan of your child’s mattress by protecting it from stains, dust mites, spills and more plus mattress toppers that can make the mattress softer or firmer as needed.
Checkout online and have your bedding shipped straight to you or visit your nearest Amart showroom to view them in-store.
Picking a quilt cover for your kids bed
Once you have decided on a new quilt, it’s time for the fun part - picking a quilt cover! Covers help to protect the quilt from stains and signs of wear and tear but they also add some much-needed colour and pattern that will lift the entire bedroom.
We’ve got high-quality doona sets for your kids that combine the quilt cover and a matching pillowcase for a stunning look. Let the little ones have a say in what goes on their bed! From enchanted gardens and butterflies to tractors, speed cars, dinosaurs and textured rainbows for that earthy, boho look - they’re sure to find a set that suits their interests and personality. Create a fun themed bedroom by adding matching cushions and rugs.
Go up a size in your quilt for a luxurious drape over the sides of the bed. All of our kids doona covers are machine-washable for easy care. Simply follow the care instructions on your individual product to get the best results and keep them looking brand new for years.
GSM & TOG explained
GSM and TOG go hand-in-hand to determine whether your quilt is suitable for the climate. GSM stands for Grams per Square Metre and refers to the weight of the duvet filling. The higher the number, the higher the warmth rating. TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade. This refers to how well the quilt retains and traps heat with a high number meaning it will keep you warm. Here’s a quick guide on what is the best GSM and TOG rating for each season:
- 200+ GSM is best for warmer climates and will keep you cool in the summer
- 300+GSM is best for autumn and spring months
- 500+ GSM is perfect for chilly winter nights
- 1-4.5 TOG works well in the summer
- 7-10.5 TOG is great for autumn and spring with 10.5 TOG being popular for year round use
- 12-15 TOG will keep you warm in the winter
While the season is important, TOG rating is also dependent on the age of the sleeper. Younger children require quilts with a TOG rating of less than 10.5 to prevent their body temperature from overheating beneath a heavier quilt. Babies and toddlers need a TOG rating of 4 to keep them safe and cool during the night.