How to Make a Bed

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.

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.Chicago Tribune: Make Your Bed the Star of the Room (September 7, 2008)

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.

• 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.

1. Increase the firmness of your bed by adding a bed board beneath the mattress.Drugs.com: How to Use a Bed Board

2. Make the bed softer by placing a piece of memory foam or a pillow top on top of the mattress.A1 Mattress: What is Memory Foam? NexTag: Pillow Top Mattress Pads

3. Cover the mattress with a washable, waterproof pad for added longevity.wiseGEEK: Waterproof Pad Buying Tips

• Add the bottom sheet in a thread count and fabric that you'll find most comfortable.Better Homes and Gardens: Selecting Bed Sheets 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.YouTube: How to Put on a Fitted Sheet (Time: 1:09)
   • -If the elastic loosens after washing, consider using straps to keep the sheet tight.The Home Marketplace: Snug Straps
2. If you don't have a fitted sheet, center a flat sheet over the mattress, then tuck the edges beneath it securely.Amazon.com: Flat Sheets
   • -Consider the military method of folding to create hospital corners for a crisp look.YouTube: How to Fold Hospital Corners (Time: 1:48)
   • YouTube: Hospital Corners Time: 1:48

• 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.

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.The Bedding Site: Pillow Sizes
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.Home Decorating Ideas: Coordinating Bedding and Decor
     • - 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.Tutorials.com: Learn to Make a Bed
   • 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.Mom's Comforter Sets: Different Types of Comforters
     • - 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.Plumeria Bay: What is a Duvet Cover?
     • - 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.Expert Village: How to Fix a Bed Ruffle (Time: 1:44)