How to properly dress a bed

Throws are still a great styling device for beds, but ensure it's not too neatly folded along the bottom of the bed. Throws should look more informal, casually draped over the corner.

'When it comes to adding throws and blankets onto the bed, it’s all about creating soft, textural layering. Loosely draped across the bottom third of the mattress is where I find strikes a balance between structured styling and laid-back décor,' says Shelley Cochrane, Retail Merchandiser at Furniture Village. 'I love to opt for crepe materials as they bring a beautifully soft, yet tactile element.'

And don't just stick to one colour – similar to a bedspread, combining two throws in a mixture of colours and textures can work wonderfully too.

6. Cushion love

Layering cushions is essential for a super stylish, well-presented bed. But how many, exactly?

'Go for somewhere between three and six cushions depending on the width of the bed and preference,' reveals Lucy, who says you should always group them together by size, with the largest at the back and smallest at the front.

Cushions are 'great at eliminating gaps between pillows and a lovely way of bringing the full bedroom design together,' says Georgia. Choose a colour, motif, or style from your bedroom design and recreate this in the cushion design.

'Think softly curved cushions with pom-pom detailing for ethereal-inspired bedrooms, Mongolian sheepskin cushions for rustic, cottagecore spaces, and slightly rough-hewn cushions for the more desert-inspired dwellings,' Shelley adds.

Top tip: If you like to refresh your bedroom look seasonally and you're limited on storage space, a cost-effective option is to invest in cushion covers – try H&M and IKEA for a great range of designs and colourways.

The golden ratio

James Rotheram, M&S Insider and Visual Merchandiser at M&S homeware, reveals the exact number of scatter cushions needed to avoid your bed looking overly busy and a little overwhelming.

• Single bed: One large cushion and one bolster cushion

How to arrange: 'I recommend using a large upright cushion sitting against the flat base pillows and then adding another smaller cushion on top,' says James.

• Double bed: Two large cushions, two small bolster cushions and one small square cushion

How to arrange: 'On a standard double bed, as well as your pillows, aim for two large cushions and layer up with two smaller rectangle cushions,' James advises. 'You can then marry the sides of the bed up with a small square cushion at the front of the arrangement.'

• King-size bed: Three large cushions, two square sham cushions, two large rectangle cushions and one bolster cushion

How to arrange: 'For a king-size bed, add a third large cushion at the rear and use two square sham cushions in second place, which sit behind larger rectangular cushions and complete the look with a textured bolster cushion in the centre,' James suggests.

7. Layering

Texture and layering is key for successful bed styling. The aim should be to achieve 'casual elegance' – layer up bedding and accessories for an effortless look that doesn't try too hard. If you’re after a more relaxed look, linen is a great option as it doesn't need to be ironed.

8. Attention to detail

Dressing beds is all about attention to detail. Small details like a button, exposed zip, piped edge or metallic foiling can add that extra layer of sophistication to bed styling. And what lies beneath is important. For the more meticulous among us, a flat sheet with old school hospital corners is a nice detail (especially in a guest room at Christmas time).

9. Turn down the bed

Prepare your bed for that cosy, 'can’t wait to dive in' feeling by simply fluffing up pillows and duvets to even out the filling and return their plump.

Jessica Hanley, founder of luxury comfort brand, Piglet in Bed, comments: 'Turning down the bed might sound tedious, but really, all you have to do is fluff your pillows and fold down your duvet so your bed is ready to jump into. This will help get your mind ready for sleep, especially if you make it a regular part of your routine. Making sure your room is tidy and keeping your sheets fresh can also help considerably.'

10. Finishing touches

Invest in a sleep spray to help you enjoy a peaceful slumber. 'Spritz liberally around the room and onto your bed linen before you jump in – linen sprays are also a great way to freshen up your sheets on days they haven't been washed,' Jessica adds.

Hosting guests? To add the ultimate finishing touch to your bedscape, invest in a durable bed tray for your guests and laden it with some tasty treats.

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(Image credit: Jake Curtis)

Whether you are styling a bed in your master room or a guest room, a bed should look inviting. And certain to deliver on the promise of a luxurious night’s sleep. To help you make the most of this bedroom essential, we’ve spoken to industry experts to reveal how to style a bed for maximum impact and comfort.

Before dressing a bed, it is important to get the foundations – the bed linen – right. A set of bed linen can make all the difference between a good and bad night’s sleep. And between a beautiful look and a slightly scruffy affair.

Once you have established that solid base, the three most important elements of styling a bed are the pillows, cushions and throws. They should complement your other bedroom ideas and the bedroom color scheme, but also add texture and depth to the room.

How to style a bed

Bedroom styling is all about creating layers of comfort – with the bed the focal point of the space. Use this quick guide to find out how to style a bed – then you can welcome guests in style, and treat yourself to a hotel-style bedroom, every night of the week...

1. Ensure your bed is eye-catching

(Image credit: Future / Simon Brown)

You may already be compiling bed ideas, but if not, it's well worth considering if you want your bed frame to be part of your bed styling. It might be that you want to choose a shapely frame that chimes with your home's period – a solid wood four poster with canopy in a traditional scheme or a modern, brightly painted one in a more modern bedroom, as above. 

Or, perhaps you want the headboard or bedlinen to be the focal point? 

2. Style a bed with a beautiful headboard

(Image credit: Elicyon)

Stand-out headboard ideas are guaranteed to frame any bedlinen you put on the bed. When considering a headboard as part of styling a bed, you need to consider four things. The headboard's height – very tall or wider-than-the-bed headboards are much grander-feeling than standard sizes; its shape – add curves to boxy rooms, for example; its material – to add texture; and its colors – to complement and tie together both the bedroom's scheme and the bedlinen.

3. Consider a color scheme when styling a bed

(Image credit: Future plc)

When styling a bed it is important to consider bedroom color ideas to settle on a color scheme, starting with the bedsheets. Simple, white bedsheets are the perfect neutral base, much like a crisp white shirt. Tie the bed in with the rest of the bedroom by selecting cushions and throws in complementary colors. Or use it as an opportunity to add some seasonal color to the room.

'Warm tones will create a cozy atmosphere throughout the autumn months, reflecting the falling leaves with rust and ochre hues,' explains Emily Dunstan, Home Buyer at Heal's . 'Whilst warm neutral hues can be layered to offer a crisp and fresh vibe in the spring and summer seasons.'

However, if you are tempted by the plethora of printed sheets on the market Lucy Ackroyd, Head of Design at Christy suggests starting with the bedding before decorating the rest of the bedroom. 'If you pick a bold design for your bed, such as botanical duvet covers with matching printed cushions. Then use this as the stimulus to decorate the rest of your room, incorporating complementary paint colors and plants,' she explains.

4. Pick the best pillows and cushions – and position them correctly

(Image credit: Barlow & Barlow)

Pillows above or below the duvet? We say over – that is how you will see them positioned in the best five star hotels. Smooth out the duvet first, then place the pillows on top.

Picking out the best pillows for your bed is vitally important – our edit for buys that won't just look smart but will ensure you sleep better, too.

Then: cushions. We prefer them sitting smartly, symmetrically and upright so that they face into the room. Your partner may moan, but two pairs, as shown above, make your bed look more luxurious than just one on each side.

5. Style a bed with a reversible duvet

(Image credit: Paul Raeside)

A duvet can of course also be folded back if you don't want to smooth it beneath your pillows – and if it's reversible with a pretty design on the underside that complements that of the upper side, it allows for more visual layering of your bedlinen. 

6. Use throws to layer on different textures

(Image credit: Davide Lovati)

Texture is key to creating a cozy and inviting bed you will want to snuggle up in. Layer different textures with cosy woolly blankets, knitted cushions and even faux fur for a touch of luxury. You can even add texture in at the foundation of the bed with a crushed linen duvet cover.

Wrinkled linen bedding is perfect for creating a relaxed look. A clever trick to keep your bed looking stylish if you don't have time to iron your bedding.

7. Invest in good quality bedlinen

(Image credit: The White Company)

A common bedding mistake is to choose the wrong type of bedding - always check the label to see what the bedlinen is made out of before investing. Linens and cottons are the perfect bedding material. 'The natural fibres keep you cool in summer, warm in winter and they look great,' explains Charlie Marshall, Loaf founder.

It is best to aim for a 300 or 400 threat count linen, woven from good quality cotton for a great nights sleep. 'It is the thread count choice for many top hotels,' explains Robert Lancaster-Gaye, co-founder at Tielle Love Luxury . 'Higher thread count isn't always an indicator of quality.'

It is also worth thinking about investing in different layers for your bed, such as a flat sheet and thin quilt. These are great for adding warmth and comfort, but can also help if you and your partner have different sleeping temperatures

Styling a bed – a simple step by step

1. Start with a valance sheet to hide any unsightly bed frames.

2. Put down a mattress topper for added comfort and support. We like the Panda mattress topper.

3. Cover with a mattress protector, to prevent against stains and mites. We really rate the Casper mattress protector. 

4. For a hotel-look use a flat sheet to cover the mattress. However, you can also use a fitted sheet for ease.

5. Layer a top sheet facing down against the mattress and a thin quilt if using.

6. Drape a duvet/comforter on top, and fold back the top sheet to create a cuff.

7. Stack one or two pillows on top of the bedsheets.

8. Drape a bedspread or throw over the bed. For a boutique hotel look, add a runner at the end of the bed.

9. Layer up a selection of cushions in complementary colors.

How do you dress a bed with cushions?

When adding cushions to a bed, take the time to have fun and add some flair to your bed. Cushions are relatively inexpensive to replace making it the ideal opportunity to try out different colours and textures.

'Contrast cushions in varying textures, complementary colors, different shapes and sizes for a stylish look,' suggests Lucy Ackroyd, Christy's. 'Go for somewhere between three and six cushions depending on the width of your bed and group them together by size, with the largest at the back.'

How many pillows should be on a bed?

There is no right or wrong answer to how many cushions or pillows you should have on a bed. It is all down to what you find most comfortable.

As a guide Lead Home Stylist at West Elm , Mariam recommends using no less than three cushions, and one or two pillows on each side of a bed.

'We start with the standard size sleeping pillow, and then start stacking them out,' she explains. 'You can use two standard size pillows stacked horizontally for a more contemporary feel.'

How do you dress a bed with throws?

A statement throw is an essential finishing touch, making a bed look well-put-together with minimal effort. Adapt your throws with the shifting seasons. For example, fall and winter will call for layers of cozy blankets, while in summer a simple cotton throw is all you need to make a statement.

'When dressing your bed for winter try layering different textured throws and mixing your materials,' suggests Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company . 'This is a great way to elevate your bed whilst ensuring it still feels warm and cosy during the colder months.'

When choosing throws consider how you will be draping them across the bed each morning. Knitted blankets will flow best when casually draped over a bed, while stiffer throws will look neatest folded at the end of the bed.

Remember a bed should go beyond being practical. Chrissie Rucker sums it up best, saying 'it should be comfortable and inviting – a sanctuary at the end of the day.'

How many layers should a bed have?

A bed should have anywhere between three and seven layers. These can include the following: a mattress protector, bed skirt, fitted or flat sheet, top sheet, duvet/comforter, blanket/throw – and, of course, pillows.

Rebecca is the News Editor on Homes and Gardens. She has been working as a homes and interiors journalist for over four years. She first discovered her love of interiors while interning at Harper's Bazaar and Town & Country during my Masters in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London. After graduating she started out as a feature writer for Women's Weekly magazines, before shifting over to online journalism and joining the Ideal Home digital team covering news and features. She is passionate about shopping for well-crafted home decor and sourcing second-hand antique furniture where possible.  

How to make a beautiful bed - articles about furniture on Wikidivia

You can remove the feeling of chaos and disorder with the help of a neatly made bed. In addition, whatever the interior of your bedroom, the bed is the main element of decor. And if she looks sloppy, then the whole room is perceived as sloppy.

To make your bed beautifully, start with a few simple steps:

1, Air out your laundry

It is not recommended to make your bed immediately after waking up. During the night, favorable conditions are formed in the linen for dust mites, which provoke allergies. Therefore, after waking up, go about your business and leave the bed for at least 10 minutes with the covers thrown back. nine0003

2, Shake and straighten the linen

To get rid of crumpled sheets and duvet cover, shake and straighten them, so the bed will look neater. Fluff the pillows, and return the corners of the blanket to their place.

Basic method

In the evenings, it's nice to return to a neat apartment, where a soft cozy bed awaits you. There is a way with which you can make a beautiful bed and at the same time spend a minimum of effort. nine0003

Carefully spread and smooth the sheet, tuck the ends under the mattress. A blanket is spread over the sheet, which exceeds the size of the mattress in length and width. Free edges can be left hanging or gently folded.

Leave the large bedspread hanging down to the floor or tuck the bottom edge under the mattress. Decorate the head of the bed with pillows.

The modern way

The fashion trend in making beds is layering and a large number of pillows, most often decorative ones. Some elements may be unfamiliar to you, but they add style or convenience. nine0003

Mattress cover is a functional element that protects the mattress from dirt. It matches the size of the mattress and is fixed on it with elastic bands. Doesn't feel under the sheets at all.

Bed valance is a skirt that will not only make your room more comfortable, but also hide the space under the bed where many people store things. The skirt is put on the spring base of the bed and evenly distributed around the perimeter.

Fitted sheet - it is more comfortable than a regular sheet, as it is firmly fixed on the mattress due to the elastic bands. nine0003

Decorative fold - to create a layered effect, the edges of the bedspreads and blankets at the head are folded over, creating a platform for pillows. You can bend the top edge and fold it two or three times to increase the effect.

Helpful Hints

Reversible bed linen adds variety to layering. It looks stylish and interesting. In addition, often in such sets the balance of the ornament is observed (plain sheet and pillowcases + blanket with a pattern). nine0003

The mood of the room depends on how your pillows lie. Carelessly scattered around the bed will add rebellion, and folded in neat rows - harmony.

Fragrances also create the atmosphere of a bedroom. Hide a sachet in the folds of a blanket or bedspread and enjoy.

A bedspread, matched to the curtains, will add harmony to the interior.

Decorative details

The bed can be decorated with a beautiful blanket, knitted or quilted. Fold it lengthwise and place it at the foot of the bed. And you can spread it like a main blanket and bend their edges together. nine0003

Decorative pillows are placed in front of the large sleeping pillows.

At the foot of the bed you can often see a bench, chest, pouffe or bench. If the area of ​​\u200b\u200byour room allows - do not neglect these elements. But at night it is convenient to fold a bedspread and decorative pillows on them.

Throw is a beautiful piece of fabric that is placed on the blanket closer to the foot. As a perekida, you can use an openwork fabric or a plaid.

Whichever option you choose, the most important thing is a comfortable and stylish bed. nine0003

Made bed in smart casual style: how to make and spread the bed beautifully

In the domestic tradition, bed linen is usually safely hidden from prying eyes. Blankets and pillows were put away somewhere in the bedside table and taken out only before bedtime. And if there was nowhere to fold, the bed was dressed from head to toe in a bedspread - “under the tapestry” or to match the curtains. On this, all the decoration, as a rule, ended.

Times have changed. Today, a smart casual style bed is in fashion, and you don’t even need a bedspread to make your bed beautifully. nine0003

Herder Home

Making the bed casually is the basis of design
Openness, freedom, permissiveness and negligence reign in the modern bedroom. To make a bed beautifully means to do it as if you were not trying to achieve perfect order.

"Point of Design"

Who said that linen should be hidden
Modern duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases are so beautiful that they are suitable for the role of the main bed decorations. A duvet in a decent duvet cover can completely replace a bedspread. Moreover, it is also better not to close the pillows - it is a sin to hide such beauty! nine0003

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YOUR CITY…
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MARIPOSA autumn-winter collection 19/20

Now it is customary to combine several colors and patterns in one set. The sheet can be plain, and the duvet cover can be striped on one side and flowered on the other. To demonstrate the fullness of the plan, they cover the bed to the middle - lay off the upper part of the blanket or roll it up. This will expose a fragment of the sheet, the intricate underside of the duvet cover will appear and how great it all looks together. nine0003

Also, spreading the bed halfway is very attractive and will play into your hands if you want a guest to stay the night.

Marta Costa

If a bedspread, then only on part of the bed
If your upbringing still tells you to make the bed beautifully with a bedspread, carefully fold it at the feet, and attach a couple of decorative ones on top of the sleeping pillows. And even mom will not suspect that you were too lazy to make the bed.

BATUFFOLO Textile St. Petersburg

More pillows - beautiful and different
If you want a luxurious bed, don't save on accessories: let them be many, expensive and not very expensive. Especially if the bed is large and the room is relatively spacious.

MORE PHOTOS…
4,500 more photos of throw pillows

Contour Interior Design, Inc.

In addition to the pillows you sleep on, it would be good to buy two or four more types of decorative ones. The more they gather on your bed, the more interesting and comfortable it will look. Moreover, if you like symmetry, there should be two or even four pillows of each type. Try to combine pillows of different sizes, textures and colors: silk, satin, velveteen, fur, plain, printed - all together they can make a great company. nine0003

And do not think that decorative pillows are completely useless - they will be very useful if you want to lie down to read or watch a movie.

Lyudmila Danilevich

In the photo: you can nail straps to the wall and thread pillows in pillowcases into them - you will get not only a decoration for the bed, but also a comfortable headboard

Are you interested in interior design?
Let's select a performer according to your criteria

Yulia Andrievskaya

► Rhyme
It's good if the brightest, accent pillows rhyme with something else in the bedroom - for example, repeat the tone and colors of the plaid, curtains or upholstery. If you collect a complete set of pillows, then in the future you will only buy new pillowcases and can change them according to the season or mood. It's both beautiful and inexpensive.

Andrey Volkov

On the photo: in this project, decorative pillows collect the colors of the surrounding interior

Tarasenko Denis

► Line up
There are a lot of options for how to fold pillows on a bed beautifully. The classic way is in rows, from large to small. There is no need to remove the bed or hide the sleeping pillows. Whisk and put them at the very head of the bed. First square, and then rectangular (the so-called europillows). They will be covered by a row of plain decorative pillows, in front of which bright thoughts will sit, then a roller, and some small pillow outstanding in its beauty in the very center of the bed will complete the composition. nine0180

Studio Haus

► Cover up
If you don't have much time and pillows, we make it even easier: quickly cover sleeping pillows with decorative ones. Everybody! Run to drink coffee and go to work.

Bon Ton

► Scatter
Creative clutter can also be a casual design strategy - just stack your pillows in a pile or scatter them evenly across the bed.

Hi home

In the photo: pillows on the corner bed can be placed along two sides - the bed will look even more comfortable

GWdesign

Add another layer
You have probably noticed that on the bed, on top of the bedspread, closer to the legs, some kind of textile is often placed in a wide strip. This is a place for a blanket or an extra blanket in case you want to lie down during the day without spreading the bed completely.

Rikki Snyder

In addition, this is a great opportunity to add a decorative accent not only to the bed, but to the entire bedroom. So, you can support the theme that is present on the wallpaper, pillows, curtains or upholstery, or simply add a bright spot to the interior. nine0003

Tatyana Tsivileva

Pictured: in this project near Moscow, the color of the throw pillows supports the vase ornaments and the botanical illustrations on the wall.

Jagoe Homes Inc.

Diagonal
A cross-folded blanket is a classic of the genre. But, if you want something more informal, throw the blanket on the corner of the bed or spread the second layer on top of the bedspread, shifting the corners.

Stephani Buchman Photography

Plain underwear is a fashion trend
We warn you that colorful colors quickly tire you. Among the new favorites are white kits. And they are flaunted as boldly as the colored ones. But with white linen is always difficult - this color requires impeccable cleanliness.

Ariana Ahmad Interior Design

A more comfortable and no less up-to-date option is linen in raw linen and various shades of gray. The dressing of the fabric is such that ironing such linen is not required - it should look a little wrinkled. nine0003

Lauren DeBello Interiors

In the photo: a mix of white and natural linen linen can look no less elegant than a solid color set, especially if you complement the bed with a textured bedspread

Architology

. You will hardly find a more refined and expressive solution for the bed. It is beautifully easy to make such a bed: she does not need any bedspread at all.

Studio S.

Of course, the topic of bed decor is inexhaustible, and everyone has their own recipes for how to make a bed. For some, the symbol of a cozy bed is a cotton valance (the so-called “skirt” for the bed), while others try to use seasonal types of material: fur in winter, and silk in summer. Someone mixes underwear from different sets to make it more fun.

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