The Anatomy of a Well-Dressed Bed
There really is nothing like slipping into a nicely made bed at the end of the night! I want to be the kind of person who makes their bed every morning. So I’ve tried to make it as simple as possible for myself to have a stylish and comfortable bed with as little effort as possible. Over the years, I’ve perfected my “formula” for making the perfect bed. I’ve used the same combination for our bed, our daughter’s bed, I’ve bought this combination for interior design clients, and recommended it to friends and family who have asked for advice on buying new bedding too. It’s simple, functional and no fuss while getting maximum aesthetic impact.
Mattress & Pillow protectors
This is a base layer designed to be waterproof but still breathable to allow airflow and protect your mattress and pillows from accidental spills, bacteria and allergens. A mattress protector is often made like a fitted sheet, although you can find some that fully encase the mattress. Pillow protectors are usually made like a zippered pillow case. Protectors can extend the life of your mattress and should be washed every 2 months. If you have children and/or pets especially, do not skip these!
Fitted sheet only (no top sheet)
I’ve heard that millennials have killed the flat sheet and I stand with my generation on this one. The standard flat sheet that comes in sheet sets is honestly just annoying. It always ends up at the foot of the bed and retrieving it is a step of making the bed that I’m happy to skip. Instead I use…
Duvet cover + insert
Different than a comforter, a duvet cover is basically a giant pillowcase that fits over an insert. You remove and wash just the cover, which helps the duvet insert last longer. I wash the cover every time we launder our sheets but I typically wash our insert every 3-6 months. A duvet cover eliminates the need for a flat sheet and makes it so easy to make the bed in the morning. Just pull up your duvet and presto - the bed is made! I like an all-season, medium weight duvet insert because we live in a climate with cold winters and hot summers. You can find a range of duvet insert weights from lightweight to ultra warm to fit your climate and preferences.
Quilt or coverlet
The last layer I recommend is a lightweight quilt or coverlet to lay across the foot of your bed. Visually, this piece really ties together a bed and can be a great place to add a pop of texture or color. Functionally, it’s great to layer on top of your duvet on really cold nights, or to use on it’s own in the heat of summer. I use a draping technique that makes it super easy to have your bed look styled with minimal effort. All I do is lay the thin quilt or coverlet across the foot of the bed, then gather the ends in my hands, one side at a time, lifting and pulling until the folds are laying nicely.
Sleeping + Decorative Pillows
Some people like a lot of pillow, some people really hate it. This comes down to personal preference so I’m not going to argue with you! What I recommend is to have two sets of sleeping pillows, two soft and two firm. Then you get to use whatever combo you like! Having two sets offers flexibility for partners who like different types of pillows, without sacrificing visual symmetry.
You could stop there for a more minimal look, but I personally prefer using Euro pillows behind our sleeping pillows. You may too if you like to sit up to read or watch movies in bed. Euro pillows are typically 26” square and are often used in hotels for a very luxurious look. I use three across the back for a king size bed, two for full/queen and one can look nice on a twin!
For decorative pillows, I prefer to keep it simple with just one extra-long lumbar pillow. If your bed is larger than a twin, a rectangular pillow tends to look nicer proportionally than a single square. A nice hack for getting the look of a designer lumbar pillow for less is to buy a larger pillow and use a tight fitting cover to change the shape a bit. I sewed this cover using pretty block print fabric I ordered on Etsy. In general, it’s good to buy covers that are 1-2” smaller than your insert for a plump, well stuffed look.