How to Make a Bed

Guide Note Turn your bed into an eye-catching piece of decor in your bedroom and an inviting place to curl up for the night. Our guide, How to Make a Bed, will provide tips to help you prepare, layer and create the perfect sleeping spot.

Table of Contents

Bed Making Tips

  1. Adjust the feel of your mattress with a firm bed board or giving pillow top.
  2. Consider adding a waterproof mattress pad to protect against spills.
  3. Cover the mattress with a fitted or flat bottom sheet.
  4. Center the top sheet, print side down, on the mattress.
  5. Lay the desired number of blankets on top of the sheet.
  6. Tuck and fold the blankets and sheet under the mattress to secure them.
  7. Choose a bedspread or comforter that coordinates with the room colors and decor.
  8. Top the bed with throw pillows or throw blankets as a decorative touch.

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Introduction

  • If your idea of a making a bed is piling your blankets on top of it in the morning, aim to make the focal point of your bedroom as comfortable as it is appealing.1
  • Use a few easy layering and folding techniques to simplify this part of your morning routine so your bed is warm and welcoming when you're ready to retire at night.

Step 1: Prepare a Comfortable Foundation

  • (Creative Commons photo by Bethany King)
    (Creative Commons photo by Bethany King)
    A bed that's too lumpy, too hard or too soft can interfere with a sound night's sleep. If you don't want to purchase a new mattress, use additional bedding elements to adjust your old one to the proper comfort level.

The Mattress

  1. Increase the firmness of your bed by adding a bed board beneath the mattress.2
  2. Make the bed softer by placing a piece of memory foam or a pillow top on top of the mattress.3 4
  3. Cover the mattress with a washable, waterproof pad for added longevity.5

The Bottom Sheet

  • Add the bottom sheet in a thread count and fabric that you'll find most comfortable.6 You have two choices for a bottom sheet: a fitted sheet or a flat sheet.
  1. Hook the corners of a fitted sheet on the mattress one at a time, pulling it taut.7
    • -If the elastic loosens after washing, consider using straps to keep the sheet tight.8
  2. If you don't have a fitted sheet, center a flat sheet over the mattress, then tuck the edges beneath it securely.9

Step 2: Add Layers of Warmth

  • Choose an assortment of blankets to keep you warm at night. The number and thickness you choose may vary from season to season.
  1. Add the top flat sheet:
    • -Position the side with the wide fabric band across the top of the bed.
    • -Center the sheet on the mattress with the design face down.
  2. Lay the desired number of blankets over the flat sheet about six inches from the top of the sheet.11
  3. Fold the sheet down so it covers the top edges of the blankets.12
  4. Tuck the sheet and blankets beneath the foot of the mattress.
    • -Tuck the sides in, if you like the covers extra snug.

Step 3: Cover and Decorate

  • Determine the overall look of your bed with the bedspread or comforter you choose to top it. Take it a step further with accents like pillows and throw blankets as a decorative touch.

Finish Making the Bed

  1. Place pillows across the top of the bed--one standard size for a twin-sized mattress or two standard or queen/king size pillows for larger beds.13
  2. Spread the cover of your choice right side up across the center of the bed:
    • Bedspread. Select a style that coordinates with your wall color or room decor in a material like chenille, rayon, satin or polyester and cotton.14
      • - Fold the top portion of the bedspread down so you'll have enough fabric to tuck over the pillow.
      • - Position the pillows so they're slightly overlapping the fold in the bedspread.
      • - Pull the bedspread up so it covers the pillows completely.15
    • Comforter. Choose one covered with materials in solid colors, geometric designs, florals or animal prints and filled with materials like polyester or goose down feathers.16
      • - Center it over the bed so both sides hang evenly, then smooth out any wrinkles or lumps.
      • - Consider purchasing a duvet cover that you can slip over your down comforter like a pillow case for a different look and easy laundering.17
      • - Since the box spring and bed frame will most likely be visible when using a comforter, drape a bed ruffle over the box spring to conceal them.18

Add Decorative Touches

  1. Place decorative pillow shams or throw pillows in coordinating colors across the top.19
  2. Add warmth with decorative throw blankets.
    • -They're also a great way to add warmth to just one side of the bed if your bedmate prefers it warmer or cooler at night.
  3. Make your room look like a showplace from a model home by topping the bed with a bed tray that holds candles, flowers or your favorite book.20

Conclusion

  • Making the bed each morning won't seem like such a chore once you realize how convenient it is to hop back into the relaxing spot each night.21 Fill your linen closet with an assortment of blankets, sheets and covers that you can choose from. You'll be able to instantly change the look and feel to suit the season and your decor, body temperature and personality.22

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References for How to Make a Bed

  1. ↑ Chicago Tribune: Make Your Bed the Star of the Room (September 7, 2008)  WARNING: Ad-Heavy  WARNING: Pop-ups
  2. ↑ Drugs.com: How to Use a Bed Board  WARNING: Ad-Heavy
  3. ↑ A1 Mattress: What is Memory Foam?
  4. ↑ NexTag: Pillow Top Mattress Pads
  5. ↑ wiseGEEK: Waterproof Pad Buying Tips  WARNING: Ad-Heavy
  6. ↑ Better Homes and Gardens: Selecting Bed Sheets  WARNING: Ad-Heavy  Pop-ups
  7. ↑ YouTube: How to Put on a Fitted Sheet (Time: 1:09)
  8. ↑ The Home Marketplace: Snug Straps
  9. ↑ Amazon.com: Flat Sheets
  10. ↑ YouTube: How to Fold Hospital Corners (Time: 1:48)
  11. ↑ Textile Furnishings: Types of Blankets  WARNING: Ad-Heavy
  12. ↑ Expert Village: How to Put a Blanket on the Bed (Time: 1:11)
  13. ↑ The Bedding Site: Pillow Sizes
  14. ↑ Home Decorating Ideas: Coordinating Bedding and Decor
  15. ↑ Tutorials.com: Learn to Make a Bed
  16. ↑ Mom's Comforter Sets: Different Types of Comforters
  17. ↑ Plumeria Bay: What is a Duvet Cover?
  18. ↑ Expert Village: How to Fix a Bed Ruffle (Time: 1:44)
  19. ↑ wiseGEEK: Pillow Sham Tips  WARNING: Ad-Heavy
  20. ↑ MSN.com: Chic Must Haves
  21. ↑ Real Simple: How to Make the Perfect Bed  WARNING: Ad-Heavy
  22. ↑ HGTV.com: Organizing Your Linen Closet  WARNING: Ad-Heavy


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