Decorating

As simple as making your bed.

Making your bed every day is a perfect way to begin the morning.
You get to start your day with beauty and an accomplished feeling of completing a task that creates momentum and a positive sense that will see you through the rest of your day.
And, when it’s time to go to sleep, there’s nothing more inviting than a pair of fresh, crisp sheets on a well-made bed to make you feel snug as a bug in a rug.

Base Layers

Dust Ruffle

This piece of material goes around the box spring to prevent the area under the bed from showing. This is excellent for privacy if you store items under your bed.

Bed Sheets

The bottom sheet is often fitted with elastic at the edges. Fitted sheets are often the bane of people’s existence when it comes to folding, but they are a necessary evil for providing you with a clean and comfortable sleeping surface.

Top Sheet

The color and pattern will usually match the fitted sheet, as most buy these pieces as a set. Unless you decide to purchase each piece individually to mix and match your look.

Blanket

Blankets are optional depending on the season and your personal preferences. You may choose to place your blanket between the top sheet and the top layer, or you may want to leave the blanket folded at the end of the bed or store it in a basket. The choice is yours. However, note that placing your blanket here can help keep your top layer and top sheet in line with each other.

Top Layer

The top layer is a Comforter, Duvet, or Quilt.

Duvets are becoming the popular choice because they’re easier to take care of. A Comforter or Heavy Quilt would have to be professionally cleaned, while a duvet cover can go in the washing machine and then cover a quilt easily.

Pillows

As an interior designer, I recommend following the rule of odd numbers.

This means putting either three, five, or seven pillows on the bed. Since you technically only need one, maybe two pillows for sleeping, have a clean storage place (not the floor) to store pillows when they’re not in use. A basket by the bedside table, a cupboard, or even a trunk to keep them in, while not in use, would be both decorative and practical.

How to Make Your Own Bed

Clear the Bed

Start with a clean surface—place pillows, duvets, quilts, blankets, and the top sheet aside. Avoid putting them on the floor. Instead, drape them over a piece of furniture until your ready to use them.

Put the Fitted Sheet

Identify which side of the sheet is longer and which is shorter. (Otherwise, this can get frustrating really fast, lol.)

Starting with the long end, fit one corner over the top edge corner of the mattress by the head of the bed, and then extend it lengthwise on the opposite side corner of the foot of the mattress. Continue this method on the successive two corners until all four corners are securely fitted on the mattress. Smooth out any wrinkles, and make sure the elastic fits snugly on the corners.

Put the Top Sheet

Drape it over the mattress and make sure that both sides of the bed have an equal amount of material hanging over the edge. Always putting the finished side down. That way, when you fold the sheet back for display, the pattern or finished stitching is shown.

Tuck your top sheet under the mattress at the foot of the bed and along the sides using the Hospital Corner method. This will keep your feet warm when you climb into bed later and give your overall bed a nice clean finish.

Hospital Corners

The term “hospital corners” originates from how hospital beds have been made since the 19th century. It’s widely viewed as the best way to make a bed. The end effect leaves you with a crisp and luxurious feeling. And who doesn't love that?

Here’s how to do it in five easy steps:

• Ensure your top sheet is placed squarely on the surface with equal amounts of material hanging from both sides.
• Neatly and tightly tuck the end of the sheet under the mattress's foot, between the mattress and box spring.
• There should be a panel of fabric hanging down on both sides of the mattress. Starting on one side, fold back the panel of fabric and lay it on the surface. (Straighten out any wrinkles.)
• You’ll notice that there’s a triangular-shaped piece of material dangling at the foot of the bed. Tuck it underneath the mattress. (Repeat this step on the other side.)
• The last step is to tuck each side panel underneath the mattress. This will prevent your top sheet from hanging out from under your top layer. You should see a nice clean finish, similar to an adequately wrapped package.

Placing of the Duvet or Comforter

If you’re using a comforter or duvet, all you have to do is place it on the top of the sheets or blanket and make sure that it’s set in the center with about six inches of space at the head to allow it to fold down.

If you have a duvet cover, it can be tricky to get the quilt or comforter to fit neatly into the fabric cover.

One way is to turn the cover inside out, then reach your arms inside and grasp each corner. Still holding on to the duvet covers inside corners, grab two corners of your comforter or quilt. Hold on tight and shake the comforter until the surface goes right-side out. You may have to make some minor adjustments and smooth out a few lumps, but this process is the easiest way to do it.

Fold the Top Sheet & Duvet Down

Fold-down the top sheet so you can see the finished edge. Since duvets are thick, you won’t be folding those. That’s why you left a six-inch gap between the edge of the duvet and the head of the bed.

Fluff the Pillows

You want your decorative pillows fluffed and in their best form to have a stylish bedroom. To fluff a pillow, grab each side and press together toward the middle. Think of it like playing the accordion.

If you have a long and narrow accent pillow, lay it on a flat surface, and in a karate chop motion, chop it in the middle a few times. It sounds violent, but I promise no pillows will be harmed in the process of fluffing, 😉 and it gives the pillow extra fluff and a bit of texture to complete the look of your bed.

Add Finishing Touches

You NEED Pillows!!! Only two pillows can make it look unfinished. Some people like to double the number of pillows, so they stack them on top of each other. Or opt for Euro pillow shams, which are square.

If you’d like to replicate the look of a five-star hotel, consider folding a blanket in thirds and placing it at the foot of your bed. This technique could also work with your duvet. Instead of folding it with your top sheet, pull it down toward the foot in a tri-fold, allowing the pattern to remain visible. You can also try a layering effect (like in the photos here) by casually laying a throw blanket or beautiful afghan across the corner of your bed. It adds a cozy visual touch, especially in the fall and winter months, and gives you a quick go-to blanky when you have time for a relaxing afternoon nap. 

Just remember, No matter how you choose to make your bed. If you take one, two, or none of my suggestions, your bed is the most prominent thing in your bedroom and makes the most significant difference. It is also the first thing noticed when you enter the room. So spoil yourself, and make sure it's beautiful, warm, and inviting.
You deserve nothing less!