Making a bed that is inviting and cozy will bring joy to your life. Do you want to learn how?
My mother taught me how to make a proper bed when I was a young girl – proper meaning neat and tidy and everything where it needs to be. My grandmother wanted to make sure my mother taught me correctly, so she retaught me how to do it as well. Apparently a properly made bed was important in our family. But I will admit, I really like bed … like probably too much.
hospital corners are not just for hospitals
Maybe you have heard of hospital corners, maybe you haven’t. This is one thing that makes your properly made bed proper. In my years of designing bedrooms, and also just asking friends, many people really don’t know how to make a bed – such as … put the sheets on so they stay nice and tight, make it look fluffy and inviting, what kind of sheets to buy … all the things that make bed the place you never want to leave. My husband and I often look at each other at the end of the day after climbing in bed and say, this is my favorite place. Luckily we are both especially fond of lounging in this place of contentment. I actually have a night shirt that says “Let’s stay in bed all day”. So I will start my first blog post EVER about how to make your bed the most cozy, peaceful, restful place ever.
Your cozy bed starts with a mattress pad. Don’t skip this part. This first layer does a few things – it is washable so it protects your mattress, and it adds the first layer of cozy because it’s thick and smooths out any dips and divots on your mattress.
The next layer are amazing sheets. I am kind of a sheet snob. I have stayed in Airbnbs that make me want to bring my own sheets (I seriously think I will start doing this … yup, snobbish). I have tried many a sheet and to me, the worst ones are the microfiber ones. Sure they feel soft when you first touch them, but after a nights sleep they are practically falling off the bed they are so loose and wrinkly under your body. Now I just stick to what I know is good – Ralph Lauren sateen sheets. I buy them at HomeGoods. For a king set they usually run $70. I only buy white sheets (I like to bleach my sheets) and these sheets are great for so many reasons. They are 100% super soft cotton and they get more soft with every wash. They are tight on my bed so no wrinkly mess each morning. They are sized well so they tuck in nice (anyone know about too short sheets???). Buy them, you’ll see.
Then I add a super soft quilt or blanket. Currently on our bed is a cotton quilt that washes beautifully, and is sized well to tuck in nicely. Yes, you can tell I like my bedding to stay put – who has time to retuck everything everyday? Again, HomeGoods. Because my bedding is mostly white/cream, I have a taupe colored blanket which is still neutral but breaks up the color a bit.
Here’s a short tutorial on how to make a hospital corner …
Add a duvet insert (we use down, because I like fluffy things), and duvet cover. This is a great place to add texture or pattern. The great thing about duvet covers is they are easily washable as opposed to using a comforter that stuffs into your washer. Plus, if you like to sleep warm and like a little extra weight, a duvet insert will add those things to your sleeping experience. They usually come in down (feather) or a down alternative (not feather).
Pillows make it say “come in and stay”. Husbands don’t like pillows much … takes too much time to unmake the bed to get into it. But I say pillows make you WANT to get in it. So on my bed I have 4 pillows we sleep with (we each get 2 and each set is completely different – he likes hard, I like soft). In front of that are 3 euro pillows (you would only need 2 on a queen bed and one on a twin) and some king sized pillows with shams that usually come with the duvet cover. Then a couple of the pretty ones and we’re good to go … that’s not too many, right?
Because it’s winter, I keep another blanket at the foot of our bed, but in the summer that goes onto our blanket rack in the living room.
Now you have all the makings for a cozy, comfy bed … you just need to know how to put it all on! Watch my video below to give you an idea of how I make the bed … how my mother and grandmother taught me and how I have taught my kids.
- Pillows from Sleepgram buysleepgram.com
- Headboard from Wayfair wayfair.com
- Duvet cover/king shams from Overstock overstock.com
If you want a step by step version, with more information, check out my video below.
I was taught long ago about hospital corners. Love them! I’m a sheet snob as well, and used to LOVE QVC’s northern nights. Sadly they have changed so I’m always on the lookout for great sheets. I like a “thicker” sheet! Hard to find and hate when the stores zip tie them shut so you can’t Even get a finger in them to feel. Looking forward to more tips from you! Love your blog.. I recognize some of those pictures!! Nice work!
I hear ya! You gotta feel those sheets. Check out the Ralph Lauren ones … they are thicker and so soft – very good quality and not super expensive. Thanks friend!