How to Make a Bed the Right Way in 8 Steps

Last Updated On January 25th, 2024
How to Make a Bed the Right Way in 8 Steps

Key Takeaways

  • Importance of a Well-Made Bed: Making your bed is not just about aesthetics. It can set a positive tone for the day and create a sense of order in your room. A well-made bed can contribute to a cleaner and more organized living space.
  • Steps for Making a Bed: There is a systematic process to make a bed properly. It includes steps like starting with a clean and dry mattress, using fitted and flat sheets, tucking in the sheets and blankets neatly, and arranging pillows and decorative elements. Each step contributes to the overall appearance and comfort of the bed.
  • Bedding Options: You have various bedding options to choose from, such as blankets, comforters, duvets, quilts, and coverlets. Selecting the right bedding for your needs and preferences can enhance your sleep experience and bedroom aesthetics.

Making a bed may seem like a simple task, but it can make a big difference in the overall appearance and organization of a room. A neatly made bed can make a room feel more put together and polished, while a messy bed can make a room feel cluttered and uninviting. This blog post will go over the steps to make a bed that looks and feels great.

How to make a bed properly is essential knowledge. The easiest way to begin a new day is to complete a simple, small task to gain an early victory. Accomplishing a task first thing in the morning is the key to a happier and more productive day.

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Not only that, but a comfortable bedroom is also the best way to reduce stress and relax. Making a bed is similar in principle to dressing yourself up. Start with something underneath, like a mattress protector. Then the essentials of sheets, pillows and a blanket. Finally, there is room for optional accessories like a bed skirt or decorative pillows.

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Before You Make Your Bed

Before making your bed, you need to make sure you have the bed ready to be made. Your mattress should be placed even and flat on a sturdy bed foundation and fully prepped to be made. Ideally, it should have a mattress protector that won’t slip and slide out of place.

Is the Bed Dry?

This may sound like a no-brainer unless you are a parent, but make sure the bed is dry. The last thing you want is liquid on a bed in a warm and dark environment from being covered with bedding. Such a thing can promote mold growth on your bedding and mattress, and it’s best to dry a wet mattress before it reaches that point.

Make sure there are no spilled drinks, saliva, or baby urine on the mattress before closing it all off for the next few days. If you removed your bedding to clean the mattress, make sure there are no lingering wet spots or dustings of baking soda before you re-dress the bed.

Any Holes in the Mattress?

While this isn’t always a concern, it is also a good time to look at your mattress to ensure it is still in good shape. If you have holes, consider covering them up with a protector or start thinking about if it’s time to replace the mattress.

This part is essential if you have a cheaper mattress that may contain fiberglass inside.

Mattress Pad

Before making the bed, if you have a mattress pad or topper, you will want to ensure these items are clean and appropriately placed. One slip from the topper or mattress pad can undo the rest of your work later.

Are the Pillows Clean?

Making the bed isn’t only about dressing the mattress. Since you are switching everything else out, now is also an excellent time to inspect the pillows. Do you need to fluff up your pillows from a flattened state? Perhaps they need a washing even, as machine-washable pillows should be washed every few months.

You might even find that it’s time to replace your pillows with a new set.

How to Make a Bed

Making a bed is a reasonably straightforward process once you get the steps down. Below is a simple way of getting it done, from the fitted sheet to the final throw pillows.

Step 1: Start by stripping the bed of all sheets (both the flat sheet and fitted sheet if changing linen, or just the flat sheets if not), blankets, sleeping pillows, and pillowcases. Shake out the dirty sheets and pillowcases to remove any wrinkles, and fold them neatly if you wish. Set them aside for now.

Step 2: Place the fitted sheet on the mattress, ensuring that the corners are properly aligned with the corners of the mattress. Smooth out any wrinkles or bunches in the sheet. If your fitted sheet is slightly large or you want to keep sheets on for an adjustable bed, look into sheet straps that will keep the corners from slipping.

Step 3: Place the flat sheet on top of the fitted sheet. Make sure that the top edge of the flat sheet is parallel to the top edge of the mattress and that the corners are also correctly aligned with the corners of the mattress. Smooth out any wrinkles or bunches in the top sheet.

A common technique for the top sheet is to create hospital corners. A bed using hospital corners leverages the sheet’s overlapping folds to produce clean creases and smooth surfaces. Untucking a bed with hospital corners is more complicated. Practice hospital corners if you are fond of sleeping with a top sheet.

Step 4: Tuck the flat sheet’s top edge and the fitted sheet’s bottom edge under the mattress. Make sure that the sheets are smooth and wrinkle-free. Do not leave the sheet hanging off to the side.

Step 5: Place the blanket on top of the flat sheet. Again, ensure that the top edge of the blanket is parallel to the top edge of the mattress, and that the corners are properly aligned with the corners of the mattress. Smooth out any wrinkles or bunches in the blanket.

Step 6: Add any additional blankets, duvets, quilts, or comforters on top of the blanket. Make sure they are smooth and wrinkle-free. Also, add a throw blanket along the base if you want to add a nice touch.

Step 7: Place the pillowcases and pillow shams on the pillows. Fluff the pillows and adjust them so that they look neat and symmetrical.

Step 8: Finally, add any assorted decorative pillows. If you wish, you can arrange the pillows in a layered design. You can also add a throw blanket or a folded duvet to look better on the bed. These can be used to add color and texture to the bed and can also be used to hide any wrinkles or imperfections in the bedding.

Choose a Final Cover

Most sleepers don’t just sleep underneath a flat sheet and typically choose to top their mattress with a blanket or similar bedding item.

Blanket

A simple blanket can be enough for many during the summer months, and some models are even woven to provide year-round comfort. The range of blanket sizes varies wide, from tiny ones for infants to larger ones for king size mattresses.

Comforter

A comforter is a large, fluffy, and warm bedding option that is typically filled with down or synthetic materials. It is often used as the top layer of bedding and can be used alone or with additional layers.

Duvet

A duvet is a bedding filled with down, feathers, or synthetic materials. It is typically used as the top layer of bedding and is often covered with a removable duvet cover.

Quilt

A quilt is a type of bedding made of layers of fabric and batting. It is usually hand- or machine-stitched to hold the layers together. Quilts can be used as a top layer of bedding or as a decorative layer.

What separates a quilt from a comforter is that a comforter is closer to a filled bag while a quilt doesn’t have as much fill.

Duvet Cover

A duvet cover is a removable cover for a duvet. It can be made of various materials, such as cotton, linen, or silk. It protects the duvet and can be easily removed and washed.

Coverlet

A coverlet is a type of bedspread typically lightweight and decorative. It is often used as a decorative layer on top rather than for sleeping, acting like the blanket equivalent of a bed sham.

Other Tips for a Quality Made Bed

While making the bed is relatively simple when you stick to the basics, there are many ways to add your personal flair all over the entire mattress. Here are some other tips.

Flat Sheet, Fitted Sheet, or Both?

Some people do not like using standard bed sheets. Some like only a fitted sheet, others prefer both, and others use the flat sheet underneath the comforter.

Sometimes when people have tightly fitted sheets, they can be impossible to use with a mattress topper. Those people can tuck in the flat sheets to the mattress. It could be better with a deep-pocket fitted sheet, but it works.

In addition, you will want to decide if you like crisp sheets with starch to prevent wrinkles or soft, easier-to-scrunch sheets. This feel is often more affected by the types of sheets than the way you make your bed. Whatever you choose will be best for a good night’s sleep is up to you.

One Blanket Or Two Blankets

Partners sharing a mattress often need to decide if they want one blanket to share or two separate blankets. Having separate blankets for couples can prevent some of the common drawbacks to bed sharing, such as heat retention and blanket hogging.

If the blankets are large enough, they can be laid out so they overlap as you make the bed to stop night sweats.

Use a Mattress Pad

Mattress protectors and pads aren’t as beautiful as pillows or cushions, but it is essential to keep your mattress clean and stain-free. A mattress pad will ensure softer sleeping surfaces and help prevent sleep problems. Some people also use pillow protectors.

Waterproof protectors and pads are especially important as they can deter mattress mold if there’s a spill or you live in a damp climate.

Add the Mattress Topper

A mattress topper transforms your bed into a comfortable place to sleep. Mattress toppers are a way to change an existing mattress to create a soft and buoyant feeling. Or a cooling topper can help you to stay warm through the night and improves your sleeping experience.

Make sure you buy a mattress topper with a non-skid bottom so the mattress will remain firmly in place at night. However, if your topper doesn’t have features to keep it in place, you can take measures to keep a topper from sliding out of place.

Add on Throw Pillows

If you want the bed perfectly set up for visual appeal, add more pillows and blankets as needed. There is a range of rolled, round or square pillow options in addition to standard pillows.

Three to five decorative throw pillows that will look good and not overcrowd the bed can make all the difference in a nice room.

You may put another blanket off to the side, without worrying about having too many blankets. Make them look pleasing, folded horizontally at the base of the bed. It also helps with pulling them up as an additional cover when there is more warmth in the evenings.

Layer Decorative Shams & Pillows in Front

One of the many ways to add personality to a room is to add ornamentally decorated pillows on top of your sleeping pillows. Choose neutral colors for your bedroom, while more vibrant shades of pillow patterns will help your room become brighter.

For a queen bed, it can be done by combining two 24-inch decorative pillows with a 20-inch decorative pillow in the center to a Euro-sized pair of shams, followed by a couple of 24-inch decorative pillows and one single-sided bed.

How you layer pillows can even keep your pillows from falling off the bed, such as with a large body pillow in the back or even a simple trick like a discreetly hidden draft stopper.

Make Your Bed Skirt the Perfect Length

When putting a bed skirt at the bottom, make the bed skirt the perfect length on all four corners for a well-made bed, just enough to barely touch the floor. This means that you can attach the mattress skirts to the box spring at the correct length needed by using the upholstery twist pin. It keeps the bed skirt secure when changing sheets; you don’t need to change them if needed.

Use Pillow Spray for a Pleasant Scent

Using a pillow spray as part of making the bed can add a touch of fragrance and freshness to your sleeping environment. It can create a pleasant ambiance and contribute to a calming atmosphere in your bedroom. However, to fully experience the benefits of the pillow spray and maximize its effectiveness, it is often recommended to save its use as part of a bedtime routine.

Incorporating a pillow spray for sleep into your routine signals to your mind and body that it’s time to relax and prepare for sleep. This association helps create a consistent and soothing bedtime ritual, promoting better sleep quality over time. So, while spritzing the pillow spray during bed-making can be enjoyable, reserving it for your bedtime routine may enhance its sleep-inducing potential.

Enjoy Your Beautiful Bed

Making a bed may seem like a small task, but it can make a big difference in the overall appearance and organization of a room. There’s also the mental benefit of feeling like you had a productive morning, which can be a good way to start off your day. Following these simple steps, you can make a bed that looks and feels great.

Remember to take your time and ensure that all sheets, blankets, and pillowcases are smooth and wrinkle-free. Also, don’t hesitate to add some decorative elements to the bed to make it look even more polished and put together. For example, a colorful pillowcase or bed sham can bring a touch of cheer to your bedroom.

It is important to note that making the bed is not only about the aesthetic appeal. It also has some practical benefits. Making the bed in the morning helps kick start the day on a positive note, establishes a routine that helps you wake up in the morning, and helps keep the room looking tidy.

Additionally, keeping the bedding clean and fresh is vital for health and hygiene. It is recommended to wash sheets every week or two or as often as needed.

Frequently washing and changing your bedding helps to remove dirt, sweat, and other bodily fluids that can accumulate on sheets and pillowcases. No one likes the thought of bacteria in their bed, after all.

Other Guides for a Comfortable Bedroom

While the bed is the focal point of any bedroom, it’s not the only element worth considering. We’ve written a number of guides on how to set up a bedroom that promotes relaxation and undisturbed rest:

FAQs

Why do we need a pillow on the bed?

Spending extended periods in the same posture while sleeping can strain particular regions of the body, such as the back and neck. Pillows are designed to alleviate this tension by providing pleasant head support, relieving pressure on the cervical area, and straightening up the spine. The only sleeping style that may benefit from sleeping without a pillow are stomach sleepers, since a too-thick pillow in their position can cause neck strain.

How often should you wash your sheets?

Typically, sheets should be washed once each week. Extend this to once every two weeks if you don’t sleep on your mattress every night. However, some people wash sheets more frequently than once a week, as many as two or three times per week. This can be necessary if you need to manage severe allergies or a medical condition like edema.

Should I make my bed in the morning or later?

When you make your bed as soon as you wake up, you can trap moisture in the sheets, promoting the growth of dust mites. Researchers came up with an easy solution: wait until before you leave in the morning to make your bed. However, some may find they prefer the practice of making their bed later in the day, and there is nothing wrong with that.

What is the importance of a made bed?

It might lead to better sleep. According to a National Sleep Foundation survey, Verified Source National Sleep Foundation Nonprofit focused on educating about sleep health. View source making your bed in the morning increases your chances of getting a restful night’s sleep every night by 19%. You might be more productive if you make your bed every morning.

How do you make a comfy bed on a budget?

Start with a good foundation. Investing in a good mattress and mattress protector will help you sleep better and protect your mattress, so it’ll last. From there, build your way up with quality sheets, bedding, and pillows for your budget.

You will spend 1/3 of your life in your bed. It is worth the investment to make sure your nights are comfortable.

How do you make a top bunk bed?

To change bedding and make up a top bunk bed, start by removing the old sheets and pillowcases. If possible, use a ladder to access the top bunk. Place the new fitted sheet over the mattress, tucking it in securely. Add a flat sheet, and then put on pillowcases. If the mattress has a protector or pad, replace or wash it as needed. Consider using a bed rail or safety precautions if the bunk bed is high.

Conclusion

Making a bed is a simple task that can make a big difference in a bedroom’s overall appearance and organization. Following these steps, you can make a bed that looks and feels great. It also helps establish a routine and maintain a clean and hygienic environment.


About the author

Eric Ridenour is a health and wellness writer with a strong focus on sleep and nutrition. With a background in health science and psychology, Eric has a deep understanding of the connection between sleep and overall well-being. His expertise has been sought by various businesses and individuals, and his work has been featured in reputable publications such as Thrive Global, Drug Report, and Authority Magazine. Eric's commitment to promoting better sleep and comprehensive wellness is evident in his writing and consultations. He is a published author working on his second book.

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