I Use This “Gorgeous” Pottery Barn Comforter All Year Long (It’s on Sale!)

Finding the perfect combination of bedding is tricky — especially if you live in a place with extreme seasons — and the comforter just might be the hardest piece of the puzzle. Unfortunately, I don’t have the space to store an extra comforter and switch it out depending on the weather. No, I need the Goldilocks of comforters on my bed: It has to keep me warm in the winter, but not suffocate me in the summer. Some fluff to it is good, but not so much that it’s heavy and impossible to wash.

I also have one more requirement: a stylish look. I used to be OK with settling for those plain white duvet inserts, but they aren’t cute enough on their own for me. And duvet covers are the bane of my existence; I’ve never gotten the hang of putting them on, and more often than not the duvet gets detached from the corners and bunches up on the inside.

So when Pottery Barn’s European Flax Linen Waffle Comforter came into my life last summer, I was ecstatic. Like all of the other bedding I’ve tested from the brand, the quality is next-level — and it’s done the job during the freezing winter and boiling summer. Best of all, it looks so nice on its own that I’ve finally kicked my duvet cover to the curb. (It’s also on sale right now!)

I’ve tried out a lot of brands since I started testing bedding almost three years ago, and Pottery Barn has become a clear favorite. Its jersey and linen sheets and cloud quilt have earned spots in my rotation, so I figured it was time to add a comforter to the mix.

OEKO-TEX Standard- and Fair Trade-certified, the European Flax Linen Waffle Comforter is a bestseller, and I immediately fell in love with its subtle texture and box stitching. It’s even tuck stitched by hand! And the natural fibers offer some color variations, so each comforter is unique. There are 14 options available, including a few discounted options like Riviera and White.

According to the brand, the comforter’s top side is made from the world’s finest European flax linen, which is strong, thanks to its long fibers. (If you’ve ever owned linen bedding before, you probably know that it lasts a lot longer than many other materials — which explains the typically high price tag.) Linen also has a looser weave, which makes it more breathable for hot sleepers.

If you’ve usually stayed away from linen because of its rougher feel — it usually takes some wear and washes to break it in — then I have good news for you! The underside of this one consists of 100% cotton, and it’s prewashed for a lived-in feel. You also get the best of both worlds due to the tufted waffle weave, which is naturally insulating and keeps you cool during the summer and warm during the winter.

New York City seasons can get intense, and most apartments I’ve had — including my current one — usually reflect that with their fluctuating temperatures. But by now, I’ve relied on this comforter when my apartment was at its most stuffy and drafty. Somehow, it strikes the balance between light and heavy, all while giving me that fluffiness I crave in my bedding, and not once have I felt the need to kick it off during the night. Because it’s slightly oversized on my full bed, it gives me full coverage too.

The comforter (which I got in the Flax color) also delivers in the style department, so no duvet cover is needed (finally!). It’s soft and gorgeous enough on its own. I’ll admit that I am a bit more careful with it than I am with regular comforters because the waffle weave on top seems a bit delicate, but still, I’ve only ever noticed a few tiny loose threads here and there. It holds up surprisingly well in the wash, too, although I make sure to wash it in the larger machine at the laundromat. 

The slight bit of extra care is worth it to me: With my bed being out in the open in my studio apartment, it’s a definite step above a plain white duvet insert, and I don’t have to worry about swapping it out a few times a year. What a win!

Buy: Pottery Barn European Flax Linen Waffle Comforter, Full/Queen, $214 in select colors (normally $269)