How To Make The Bed

Growing up, one of my least favorite tasks was making the bed. Even though it only took me 30 seconds, I would do anything to avoid tucking in the sheets or adjusting the pillows.

Now that I’m older, I’ve come to appreciate a perfectly made bed. When it’s time to sleep, there’s nothing quite like settling into an inviting and organized bed. In this how to make a bed guide, I will walk you through the essential components of a well-made bed and share expert tips on styling it. Let’s dive in!

How to Make Your Bed in the Morning

After waking up and heading to work, making your bed every morning can set the tone for a productive day. There’s no single right way to make your bed, but depending on your routine and preferences, I’ll share a few quick and easy ways to do it in the morning.

Quick and Easy

If you’re pressed for time in the morning, you don’t need to overcomplicate it. Start by clearing everything off the bed except for the fitted sheet. Ensure the fitted sheet lies flat across the mattress and remains securely tucked.

Next, lay your flat sheet across the bed with the design facing down. Make sure the sheet is evenly hanging from all four sides. Since you’re aiming for efficiency, there’s no need to tuck in the flat sheet at this point.

Then, place your duvet or comforter evenly over the flat sheet. Don’t pull it all the way to the head of the bed. Leave about a foot of space, allowing you to fold the top of the sheet over the comforter. This way, you’ll be able to see the design of the flat sheet right side up.

Finally, arrange your pillows, and you’re ready to take on the day!

Clean and Orderly

Some people prefer a minimalist bed look, which I’ll explain in more detail below. This style typically features only a comforter or duvet, sheets, and sleeping pillows. If you’re into this clean, crisp look, you may want to consider making your bed with hospital corners.

Hospital corners are commonly used in hospitals and the military. This style keeps your sheets snugly in place, reducing the chance of them coming off during the night. It also gives your bed a neat, organized appearance throughout the day.

Here’s how to make a bed with hospital corners. Don’t worry if it takes a few tries to master—it won’t take long before you can perfect it!

Start by putting your fitted sheet on the mattress, ensuring it’s tight and flat. Next, drape your flat sheet evenly across the mattress so that the fabric hangs evenly on all sides.

Begin at the foot of the bed and tuck the flat sheet under the mattress. Move to the left side of the bed, and near the bottom corner, pull up the hanging sheet. Lay it diagonally across the top of the bed at a 45-degree angle, and leave it there for now.

Next, take the remaining hanging sheet and tuck it under the mattress corner. Return to the top of the bed and fold the extra sheet back over the side of the mattress. Keep your hand across the side to help the fabric fold neatly under. You should see a diagonal line of sheet near the corner—that’s your hospital corner!

Repeat these steps on the bottom right corner of the mattress.

This might seem tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll do it with ease. For more detailed instructions, check out our complete guide on making hospital corners.

Professionally Luxurious

Do you dream of having your bedroom look like a luxury hotel room? With a few simple steps, you can achieve a bed that feels like a vacation every night. A typical hotel bed includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, comforter or duvet, large blanket, sleeping pillows, and accent pillows.

To recreate the hotel-style bed, start with your fitted sheet and lay your flat sheet upside down across the bed. Next, add a large blanket on top of the mattress, ideally the same size as your sheets. Position the blanket so that it aligns with the flat sheet.

Fold the top part of your flat sheet down, exposing the decorative side. This is why you placed it upside down! Now, use the hospital corner method to securely tuck in both the sheet and blanket.

Then, it’s time to fluff and lay your comforter across the bed. Fold the top of the comforter down to reveal the blanket and flat sheet. If you get chilly during the night, simply pull the comforter up for extra warmth. For added style, many hotels place a throw blanket across the bottom of the bed.

Hotel beds often feature a variety of pillows, and you can do the same to create that luxurious feel. There are countless ways to arrange your pillows, but here’s how I like to do it.

Place two euro pillows against your wall or headboard, standing up rather than lying flat. In front of those, add your two sleeping pillows, also standing up. Finally, add a few accent pillows at the front. I prefer a clean look, so I keep it simple. For more pillow arrangement ideas, check out our helpful guide.

How to Style Your Bed

Now that you know how to make your bed in the morning, let’s talk about adding some style to your bedroom. If you’re ready to channel your inner interior designer, here are a few ideas to style your bed.

Minimalist

A minimalist bed typically uses fewer components. If you sleep on a queen mattress, you’ll need only a fitted sheet, flat sheet, comforter or duvet, and two pillows.

You can either make your bed with hospital corners or use the quick and easy method described earlier. Stick to just the sheets, comforter, and pillows if you prefer a more streamlined look.

When it comes to color, neutral tones work best. A minimalist bed could be entirely white, or you could incorporate shades of gray, blue, and bedding with simple lines or stripes. Keep the textures minimal for a clean and uncomplicated look.

Classic

A classic-style bed includes more elements than a minimalist bed. In addition to your fitted sheet, flat sheet, sleeping pillows, and comforter or duvet, you can add euro pillows with pillow shams and a throw pillow or blanket.

The color scheme for your bedding should still be muted. Stick to whites, grays, and blues, but feel free to add more texture and accent colors. You could opt for textured euro pillow shams, and match your throw pillow and blanket with your curtains or other bedroom accents.

Decorative Lux

If you want to make your bed look worthy of a magazine spread, consider the Decorative Lux style. This bed includes a fitted sheet, flat sheet, comforter or duvet, sleeping pillows, two euro pillows with shams, several throw pillows, a blanket, and a bed skirt.

While you’re adding more elements, be careful not to overwhelm the look with too many colors. Stick to neutral tones and add personality through texture. Opt for throw pillows with frills and fuzz, or choose a knitted blanket to drape across the foot of the bed. You’ll feel the luxury the moment you lie down!

How to Make a Bed: Breaking It Down Layer by Layer

What truly constitutes a complete bed set? The answer is simple: It’s more than just pillows and sheets. Let’s start from the bottom and take a closer look at each essential element that makes up the perfect and stylish bed.

Pillows

Pillows, of course, are a fundamental part of any bed setup. It goes without saying that each person needs at least one sleeping pillow. If you share your bed with a partner, they should have their own pillow as well.

When it comes to sleeping pillows, there are plenty of options to choose from. Down or down alternative pillows are soft and fluffy, offering both breathability and cooling properties. Memory foam pillows provide excellent support and offer a slow sinking sensation, molding to the shape of your head and neck. For those who prefer something bouncier and cooler, latex pillows are an excellent choice. Explore our best pillow roundups to find out which type best suits your needs.

In addition to their practical use, pillows also serve a stylistic role in enhancing the overall look of your bed. There are various types of decorative pillows that can elevate the aesthetic of your bedroom.

• Euro pillows are square-shaped and are typically placed inside a special cover known as a sham. The design of the sham can range from simple to intricate, depending on the style you’re aiming for.

• Throw pillows and accent pillows are smaller in size and are often used to complement the colors of other elements in your bedroom, such as drapes or your carpet. These decorative pillows add extra flair and style to your bed.

• Lastly, bolster pillows are long, cylindrical pillows that usually stretch across the entire width of the mattress. These pillows not only serve a decorative function but can also provide additional support for other areas of your body, enhancing overall comfort while lounging or sleeping.

Weighted Blankets or Throw Blankets

Weighted blankets and throw blankets serve both therapeutic and aesthetic purposes, making them great additions to any bed set. A weighted blanket is specifically designed to alleviate anxiety and help you fall asleep faster. By applying deep pressure touch (DPT), weighted blankets increase feelings of well-being and reduce anxiety and stress. If you suffer from conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, or restless leg syndrome, consider adding a weighted blanket to your bed for enhanced comfort.

On the other hand, throw blankets are a stylish and practical option for adding warmth to your bed. Draping a throw blanket across your bed can introduce an accent color and create a more layered, visually appealing look. During cooler months, it also serves the practical purpose of providing warmth. You can easily fold a throw blanket at the foot of your mattress and pull it up when you feel chilly during the night.

Comforter or Duvet

Both comforters and duvets play a vital role in completing any bed set. But what’s the difference between the two? It’s important to note that many brands use these terms interchangeably, which can sometimes make it confusing to select the right one for your needs.

In simple terms, a comforter is typically a single piece of bedding filled with down or an alternative material. A duvet, on the other hand, consists of two parts: a duvet cover and a duvet insert. The duvet cover is essentially a large pillowcase designed to encase the duvet insert, which may feature a design similar to a comforter or be a looser bag filled with down or down alternatives.

A comforter might be more suitable if you prefer a simplified look or want to avoid the hassle of putting on a duvet cover. A duvet is ideal for those who like to change their bed’s look frequently, as swapping out a duvet cover is more affordable and easier to clean than purchasing an entirely new comforter. Duvet covers are also more convenient to clean compared to comforters.

As previously mentioned, comforters come in two primary types: down and down alternative. Down comforters tend to be fluffier, more breathable, and lighter, but they usually come with a higher price tag. Down alternative comforters are more budget-friendly, hypoallergenic, and perfect for those who prefer to avoid animal products, as down comes from geese and ducks, which some people object to due to ethical concerns.

When choosing a duvet set, you have various fabric options for the duvet cover, such as sateen or percale. The choice of fabric depends on the feel and temperature you’re looking for. Sateen offers a softer, warmer feel, while percale is crisp, durable, and breathable, making it more ideal for hot sleepers. If you live in a colder climate, a flannel duvet cover will keep you cozy while adding a rustic charm to your bedroom.

Putting your duvet or comforter on the bed is relatively straightforward. For a duvet, make sure the insert is evenly distributed inside the cover. If the duvet insert is clumped up, you can shake or manually adjust it to ensure it fits the cover properly. Once the duvet or comforter is in place, make sure it hangs evenly on both sides of the bed. For a tidier look, tuck the edges of the bedding underneath the mattress.

Bed Sheets: Fitted and Flat

Sheets are an essential part of every bed set. Typically, a set will include two types of sheets: a fitted sheet and a flat sheet. A fitted sheet is designed with elastic around the edges to stretch across your mattress, while a flat sheet (also known as a top sheet) lies flat without any elastic.

When sleeping, the fitted sheet sits beneath you, while the flat sheet acts as a barrier between you and your comforter or duvet. While most sheet sets come with both types of sheets, some people prefer skipping the flat sheet in favor of having their duvet or comforter directly on top of them. This choice gives the bed a sleeker, more stylish appearance, but it may reduce cleanliness as the duvet or comforter will need to be washed more often. Additionally, the flat sheet provides extra breathability and is especially useful during warmer weather.

Sheets come in a variety of materials, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. Percale sheets, made from cotton, are crisp, durable, and breathable, though they may wrinkle easily and provide less warmth. On the other hand, sateen sheets, also cotton-based, offer a softer, shinier, and warmer texture, but they are less durable and may not be ideal for hot sleepers.

You may also encounter flannel, supima, and linen sheets. To explore these different types of sheets further, refer to our Best Sheets guide.

To ensure your sheets are neatly placed on the bed, here’s a simple step-by-step guide for tucking them in properly:

1. Start by stretching one corner of the fitted sheet over the corresponding corner of the mattress, ensuring it is tucked tightly.
2. Repeat the process with the opposite corner of the sheet.
3. Continue around the mattress, tucking in the remaining corners to ensure the sheet is stretched evenly and securely.
4. Lay the flat sheet on top of the fitted sheet, making sure it aligns with the top edge of the mattress.
5. Tuck the bottom of the flat sheet under the mattress and work your way around the bed.

Mattress Protector

Although a mattress protector isn’t visible once your bed is made, it’s an essential item that offers important protection for your mattress. As the name implies, a mattress protector helps shield your mattress from spills, stains, mold, mildew, and even bed bugs. Additionally, while sleeping, your body sheds sweat, skin cells, and hair, all of which your mattress will absorb without a protector.

Here’s how to put on a mattress protector:

1. Start by ensuring your mattress is free of bedding and pillows.
2. Unfold the mattress protector over the surface of the mattress.
3. Match up the protector’s corners with the corners of the mattress and pull it down, stretching it like a fitted sheet.
4. Tuck any excess fabric underneath to ensure the protector fits snugly.

Mattress Topper

A mattress topper, like a bed skirt, isn’t a necessity for everyone, but it can make a significant difference if your mattress feels too firm or doesn’t provide enough comfort. Mattress toppers are typically made of memory foam or polyfoam and come in varying thicknesses to provide additional softness or support.

For example, a 4-inch memory foam topper will offer more softness than a 2-inch topper. Alternatively, if you need just a small amount of added comfort, you might opt for a mattress pad.

Mattress toppers can also help regulate temperature. If you tend to sleep hot, consider a latex foam topper or one infused with cooling materials to help reduce body heat during the night.

In cases where your mattress is too firm or sleeps too warm, a mattress topper is a more affordable alternative to purchasing an entirely new mattress.

Bed Skirt

The final element of a fully made bed is the bed skirt. If you’ve ever stayed in a luxury hotel, you’ve likely noticed a bed skirt hanging elegantly from the bed frame to the floor.

A bed skirt serves both a stylistic and functional purpose. It adds a clean, unified look to your bedding by matching the color of your sheets and other bedding components. It can also be used to hide any clutter or storage beneath the bed.

However, bed skirts come with a few considerations. They can increase the overall cost of your bed set and may not be ideal for pet owners, as they tend to attract pet hair and fur. Many people find this problem, referred to as “hairy skirts,” unappealing. A simple solution to this issue is to choose a bed skirt that matches your pet’s fur color, helping to camouflage the hair.

FAQs

How can I keep my sheets from moving around?
To prevent your sheets from shifting, try using the hotel corner technique to tuck them in. This method helps keep the sheets secure and prevents them from coming loose during the night. Alternatively, you can use products like sheet suspenders or non-slip rug corners to hold your sheets in place.

Where should I place a throw blanket on my bed?
Place your throw blanket at the bottom of your bed. It can either extend halfway up the bed or be draped all the way to the bottom. Both options allow easy access to the blanket in case you need extra warmth during the night.

How can I make my bed look like it’s from a hotel?
To achieve a hotel-style bed, start by layering a thin blanket over your flat and fitted sheets. Fold down the top of the sheets and blanket by about a foot. Then, use the hospital corner method to tuck them in securely. Next, place your comforter or duvet across the bed and fold it down halfway. Finally, arrange your sleeping pillows and decorative pillows for that luxurious, hotel-like finish.

How do I make a bed in military style?
To create a military-style bed, first fit your fitted sheet snugly onto the mattress. Lay the flat sheet across the bed, ensuring it hangs evenly on all sides. Tuck the bottom of the sheet tightly under the mattress.

Then, move to the left side of the mattress, a few inches from the foot. Lift the hanging sheet, laying it across the top at a 45-degree angle. Tuck the remaining hanging fabric under the corner of the mattress. Finally, pull the sheet back down and smooth it over the side of the mattress. Keep your hand against the side to create a neat, crisp fold.

Once everything is tightly in place, tuck the remaining fabric under the mattress, leaving a diagonal fold near the corner.