Step 1: Start with a Comfortable Base
The Mattress: Purchasing the right mattress can make a huge difference in the quality of your sleep. Before making a decision, carefully consider if you prefer a firm sleeping surface or a softer one. When searching for a mattress, look for keywords like “firm” or “plush” in the product names to help you know how the mattress was designed to feel. If you’re searching for a particularly soft surface, test out a pillow top mattress, which features an extra layer of comfort. Next, decide what type of construction you prefer. You can find mattresses made with a more traditional coil system, a memory foam interior or even gel memory foam. Make sure to test out the various types in person to determine which feels most comfortable to you. Finally, don’t forget to check if you need a box spring to go with your mattress. A box spring is used to either raise the height of a mattress or to provide a firm, flat surface to support it.
The Mattress Pad: While not mandatory for properly making a bed, adding a mattress pad can greatly increase comfort during the night, especially if you are sleeping on an older mattress. To put a mattress pad on your bed, tuck the elastic sides around the corners of the mattress. The most basic mattress pads are made from foam in an egg crate pattern, but modern mattress pads can be made of thick, luxurious memory foam, down or down-alternatives. To protect your mattress from spills, opt for a waterproof or water-resistant mattress pad—also called a mattress protector. If you find yourself freezing throughout the winter months, a heated mattress pad might help.
Step 2: Add Sheets
The Fitted Sheet: A fitted sheet is designed to provide an extra layer of protection for the mattress and to offer a smooth, soft surface for sleeping. Like the mattress pad, a fitted sheet will have elastic corners that must be tucked around the mattress. It should fit snugly so that it doesn’t come loose while you sleep. If you prefer to sleep on crisp sheets, look for cotton percale. If you want something softer and cozier, consider a flannel fitted sheet, especially in chilly months of the year. A fitted sheet can be purchased on its own or as part of a sheet set, which will typically include a fitted sheet, a flat sheet and pillowcases.
The Flat Sheet: The flat sheet will be the first layer of bedding you place on top of the mattress and fitted sheet. When making your bed, you can tuck the fitted sheet under the mattress at the foot of the bed to keep it in place. Lay the flat sheet with the finished side down and make sure to leave plenty of sheet at the top of the bed. This is so that you can fold the sheet back over the comforter as a finishing detail with the right side facing up.
When choosing your sheets, thread count is an important component to consider. A quality thread count is considered anywhere from 300 to 500 threads per square inch. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the thread count, the softer and more durable the sheets will be. However, be wary of sheets with thread counts in the high hundreds or even thousands. These may actually be made using shortcuts to exaggerate the thread count rather than truly improving the quality and comfort of the bedding. As for material, Egyptian Cotton is considered the highest standard of comfort. Typically, sheets made with Egyptian Cotton will have a higher price tag, so if you find cheap ones, make sure to verify that the sheets are made of 100 percent Egyptian cotton instead of only a small percentage.
Step 3: Choose Blankets and a Top Layer
The Duvet: A duvet is a bed topper that consists of a thick, warm blanket inside a thinner, decorative cover. Considered the easiest top layer to care for, the duvet cover can easily be removed from the insert for regular washing, taking up much less space inside the washing machine compared to a comforter or quilt. If you opt for a duvet on your bed, you’ll need to start by choosing a duvet insert, which can be made from down or a hypoallergenic down-alternative. The insert is usually just a simple, neutral color such as white. Next, you can choose the duvet cover, which will be available in a variety of colors, patterns and materials. Choose the one that matches your style and sheeting. To prepare your duvet for your bed, place the insert inside the duvet cover and close any zippers or buttons at the opening. Next, lay the duvet over the bed, folding the flat sheet over for a finished look.
The Comforter: A comforter, while similar to a duvet, does not have a detachable outer layer. Instead, the comforter is sewn with the filling inside, often in a quilted pattern to keep the filling evenly distributed. Comforters are thick and soft, keeping you warm throughout the night. They are also available in a multitude of patterns to match your personal style. Look for a light, neutral color to keep your room feeling relaxed or make a statement with a vibrant pattern. Also consider the quality of the materials both inside and out when purchasing a comforter. Then, try folding your comforter along the bottom of your bed, creating the ambiance of an elegant hotel room.
The Quilt: Rather than a comforter or duvet, you can also choose to top off your bed with a quilt. Depending on the pattern and color you choose, a quilt can give your bed a rustic, farmhouse or bucolic feel. A quilt is also the perfect way to incorporate beautiful texture on your bed, even if you opt to keep the color palette simple. Quilts can be folded along the bottom half of the bed or spread out across the entire bed, depending on your preferences.
Step 4: Incorporate Decorative Pillows and Throws
The Pillows: On your finished bed, you’ll likely have pillows that you use for sleeping as well as a selection of accent pillows. Some duvets or quilts will come with pillow shams, which are decorative pillow covers that coordinate with the bedding. Your sheet set should also include pillowcases for your regular pillows. To layer your pillows, start by placing the pillows you use to sleep on at the head of the bed. Next, layer on the pillows with your pillow shams. The fun part comes after, when you can incorporate a selection of decorative throw pillows in various shapes and sizes. As you add new rows of pillows, make sure they are slightly smaller than the row behind them. Try mixing patterns and colors to fit your personal style. Remember that odd number combinations are often the most visually appealing.
The Throw: As a finishing touch, consider adding a throw blanket to the foot of the bed. The throw blanket can easily be changed out seasonally to update your bedding without the need to purchase a full new set. For instance, to add warmth in the winter months, consider a thick, cozy fur throw. In the summer months, look for a light, breezy blanket in cheerful colors. You can fold the throw blanket and lay it across the full width of the bed, or you can drape it over just one of the bottom corners.
Do you have more tips on how to make a bed? Share your thoughts with us at #CrateStyle.
