My Go-To Formula for Styling a Bed
Hello, hello. How was your weekend? I hope your day is off to a good start! Today I’m sharing another post that many of you continue to ask about- I honestly just haven’t had time to shoot and share until now… my go-to formula for styling a bed. Yes, I make our bed every single day. It makes me happy, it makes things feel put together, and it’s a routine I’ve continued since I was a kid and my parents made me do it. Ha! Whether its the bed in our primary bedroom that we sleep in every night, or a guest room– my formula pretty much stays the same… give or take a couple textiles. My preference is to keep things quick, easy, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing. I’m not one to include too many pillows (which is Emmett’s pet peeve), but I still like to have options and give a couple choices to house guests. I’m breaking it all down in this post! Click through if you’d like to see my process…
I decided to use the bed in our guest bedroom as an example for this one since it’s a queen size bed. I feel like you can apply this same method to a size up (king) or a size down (full). In our primary bedroom, I’ll get more creative with color- especially since our dogs lounge on our bed (a throw at the foot of the bed is perfect for them), but in guest bedrooms I generally like to keep the bedding white. Just like a hotel, it’s nice to know the bedding is clean and crisp. Ok, ready to make this bed?!
#1 // Sheets
A good sheet set is really the foundation for a comfortable and well-styled bed. In a guest space I stick to classics like cotton, percale, linen, or tencel. They work well year round! In our bedroom, we’ll also use flannel sheets during the winter months.
#2 // Coverlet or Matelassé
Depending on the season, I like to layer a lightweight coverlet or matelassé over the top sheet. In the next step, I use a lightweight duvet insert, so this extra layer can provide additional warmth, if needed. It also creates a nice textural difference. You can definitely skip this step though if your duvet is heavy- I often interchange coverlets, matelassés, quilts, and duvets… layering as needed, based on the season and their weight.
#3 // Duvet or Quilt
Next, I’ll layer on the duvet. This one is a basic, white cotton option with a very lightweight down insert. It makes a great base for layering and adding some loft, making the bed look nice & plush.
I like to fold the top section down one third of the way, either revealing the textured matelassé or the top sheet beneath it. I think it looks more organic and inviting. It also helps to disguise any wrinkles and make them feel more intentional or relaxed, because I am NOT one to iron sheets or bedding… that just seems like way too much work in our household.
#4 // Blanket or Throw
I enjoy incorporating a blanket or throw at the foot of the bed for practicality purposes… it can be used for additional warmth while sleeping, and it makes a great protector that is easy to wash if you have pets. I style throws differently depending on the size and texture. Sometimes it’s easiest to toss the throw directly onto the bed and allow it to look casual and organic (like pictured above), while other times- a neatly folded blanket is best to add some structure. It totally depends on the bedding vignette and the space! This is also a good opportunity to add contrast or color, if that’s the look you’re going for.
#5 // Sleeping Pillows (Two Options)
Like I previously mentioned, in a guest space (and even in my own bedroom), I like to have two sleeping pillow options. Maybe one is firm, a larger size, a down alternative (or memory foam)… it’s just nice to have options or give guests the ability to choose their preference. They’re also nice for propping yourself up to read or watch TV. The name of the game is layering and comfort here, so this combination is the formula I’ve used for years. In this guest space, I have a two softer down pillows, pictured above… and two firm down pillows, pictured below.
You can stack or lean them however it works best- I do both depending on the headboard and shape of the bed. I’m usually not too perfect about it.
#6 // Decorative Pillow(s)
Lastly, I’ll add a decorative pillow or pillows… the fun part! While fun, I try not to go overboard because they really can be a pain to remove and restyle when making the bed each day. My max number of decorative pillows is three, but I usually stick to one or two.
When designing our pillow collection for Tuesday Made, I intentionally created a long lumbar pillow that would work well on full, queen, and king size beds. It’s a really nice finishing touch that feels polished, isn’t too fussy, and creates nice symmetry. It can stand alone or be layered with other cushions. I used our green safari tassel pillow paired with our noir giorgio pillow. It felt like a winning combination for spring & summer- and we’ll actually have house guests coming later this summer. My grandma (who makes the pillows) and my parents will be visiting, so that will probably be the first time the finished guest room is used by actual house guests. Ha! We’re looking forward to it.
Did that help to demystify my bed making process? As I mentioned, I’ll mix it up depending on the space, the season, and the overall look I’m going for- but this is usually my starting point. You know what I say… layer, layer, layer! I hope that helped to get your wheels turning and inspire some textile styling in your own bedroom. Bedding and committing to making your bed each day can really influence the overall look and feel of a room. I’ve found it boosts my mood and makes our (unfinished) bedroom feel a lot better and more luxe. Nice bedding is a simple luxury that can really make you feel good. I’m curious- do you make your bed everyday? I feel like it’s a pretty common thing, but I could be wrong!