U.S. Bedding Culture 101: Sheets, Comforters, and What You Actually Need

When you arrive in the U.S. as an international student from China, India, Korea, Vietnam, or elsewhere, one of the first little surprises may come when you unpack your “bedding set” and find:

“My four-piece bedding set doesn’t have a duvet cover? Why are there two bed sheets? Did the store send me the wrong items?”

Relax, it’s not a mistake. It’s just a difference in bedding culture. This post will help you understand what’s going on: drawing on what’s common back home and what you’ll commonly find in the State.

🏯 Bedding Customs in Asia

Back home, many of us grew up with simpler bedding combinations:

• In China, a typical four-piece set includes one duvet cover, one bed sheet, and two pillowcases.
• In India / South Asia, quilts (razai) or stitched blankets are common, often stuffed with cotton or wool. Bedding sets often include one bedsheet, pillow covers, and a comforter, sometimes with extra cushion covers.
• In Korea, duvet covers are known and used, but fitted sheets are less popular.

So, many Asian students are used to: a comforter, one sheet, a removable duvet cover and 2 pillowcases.

🛒 Explore HIPOND Bedding Sets

🛏️ Bedding Culture in the U.S.

When you shop for bedding in American stores, here’s what you’ll commonly find in a “bedding set”: a comforter, two sheets (fitted and flat) and 2 pillowcases

• Fitted sheet: the sheet with elastic corners that wraps snugly around the mattress
• Flat sheet: a plain sheet that lies above the fitted sheet and under the blanket/comforter
• Comforter: a sewn-together blanket filled with synthetic fiber or down; meant to be used directly
• Pillowcases

Notice something missing? The duvet cover is often absent in many basic U.S. sets. The comforter itself acts as the “finished” blanket, and no outer cover is needed.

Americans expect the comforter to be machine-washable (in many cases) and easy to maintain. It’s considered part of daily bedding, not something that must always be wrapped in another layer. 🛒 Shop HIPOND’s 4-piece bedding set

🔍 TL;DR

1. No Duvet Cover in the Set: You may expect a removable duvet cover as part of the set, but it’s simply not included.

   BECAUSE⬇️

2. Washing Everything: In the U.S., the comforter, sheets, and pillowcases are designed to be washed frequently and directly in a washing machine/dryer (except for special fabrics), so buying machine-washable options is normal.

3. Two Sheets Instead of One: Many U.S. sets include both fitted and flat sheets. In Asia, most people only use one sheet (either fitted or flat).

4. Comforter as the Top Blanket: Since the comforter is fully finished, a cover is not necessary.🛒 See HIPOND Comforters

5. Size Mismatch Issues: U.S. mattress sizes (Twin, Full, Queen, King) don’t align perfectly with Asian sizes like 1.2 m, 1.5 m, or Super Single.

   Always double-check dimensions when buying bedding! For more sizing information, please read: 📖From Shanghai to Seoul to Delhi: How to Pick the Right Bed Size in U.S.

6. Pillow types and fillings vary widely: Everyone has their favorite style.🛒 Find Your Perfect Pillow at HIPOND now!

Once you settle in, you’ll realize: these differences aren’t “weird,” just different ways to feel at home. Even far from your homeland, HIPOND helps you build a space that feels truly yours.🩵

HIPOND/ Claire Kuang🖊️