Hi all! After getting lots of love from the Instagram sneak peek that I shared with you guys last week, I’m excited to be sharing my post about how to make the perfect bed. Coming from a girl who loves fabrics and bedding, it’s no surprise that my idea of a perfect bed is one that’s cozy and beautiful but, just as importantly, is one that’s designed to help me get a restful night’s sleep. So today I’m excited to be sharing my eight simple steps to making a beautiful and restful bed (post includes affiliate links – see my full disclosure statement {here}).
So starting with a bare mattress and working our way up to that final decorative pillow and throw, here we go:
1. Start by choosing a bed skirt that fits the style of your space, whether it’s simple and tailored or soft and ruffled. Use upholstery twist pins like {these} to secure your bed skirt to the box-spring, holding it in place even through sheet changes.
2. Encase your mattress in a zippered mattress protector. Unprotected mattresses can actually double in weight after ten years due to the accumulation of millions of dust mites. AllerEase’s Maximum Allergy and Bedbug mattress protector not only protects from dust mites, pollen, and other household allergens but it’s also waterproof (a must with kids!) and has a soft, comfy top fabric.
3.Your fitted and flat sheets come next. I love the simple, luxurious look of white sheets but patterned sheets are a fun option for adding color and interest to your bed. Make your bed with the finished top edge of your flat sheet face down (you’ll soon see why!).
4.Add a blanket, comforter, or duvet in a weight that’s appropriate for your climate and the season. I prefer using comforters and duvets because they add loft and make your bed look plush and inviting (the beige and white duvet cover on this bed is {this one}).
5.Layer a coverlet or quilt (mine is {this quilt in Natural color}) on top and fold the top third of your bedding (including the flat sheet) back towards the end of the bed, revealing the finished top edge of your flat sheet.
6.Put pillow protectors and covers on your sleeping pillows and place them at the head of the bed. Choosing pillows that are hot water washable to kill germs and bacteria such as {these pillows} is a smart choice.
7. Add decorative shams and pillows to make your bed look welcoming and stylish. Choosing a variety of neutral shades and textures creates a restful, luxurious feel while more colorful patterned pillows are a great way to infuse your space with personality. A simple arrangement of two square euro shams, two standard sized pillow shams, and a decorative lumbar (long rectangle) pillow are a winning combination.
8. Place a favorite throw at the foot of the bed. It’s the perfect just-in-case layer for cold nights and makes your bed look all that more cozy and inviting.
Now all that’s left is to slip into your favorite pj’s and cozy into your fabulous bed with a good book or the remote and a favorite movie. Warning: once you’ve created the perfect bed, you may never want to leave it… 🙂
Scroll & Click/Tap to Shop the Look:
Paint color – Pratt & Lambert’s Ever Classic | Headboard – Pottery Barn Outlet (no longer available) | Quilt (color is flax) | Euro shams – made with fabric from local discount fabric store | Cream standard shams – Pine Cone Hill | White and beige duvet – ({this one} is similar)| Lumbar bed pillow | Fabric covered chest – made with IKEA TRYSIL chest, Target tablecloth for fabric (no longer available) and these ring pulls (in Windover Antique finish) |White nightstand – HomeGoods | Mirror – HomeGoods (this one is a pretty alternative} | Table lamps – no longer available but {this one} is similar & shades found {here} (color is Oatmeal Linen)
This looks so cozy you’re making me want to go back to bed!
Thanks Rene – it’s a dark, rainy morning here and it’s taking all of my willpower not to crawl back into bed!
It looks so comfy! Love the soft, neutral colors.
Thanks so much Becky!
Wow! Great idea & perfect performance! I love this bedroom….
Thank you Kate!
I have to look into the mattress protector and pillows by this company. Your guest room looks soooooo comfy and delicious Kris!!!!!!
You will love them! I’m totally smitten by the pillows because every other pillow I’ve ever washed I’ve had to throw out because it got lumpy and horrible. These totally do keep their shape!
Beautiful inviting bed with no little mites!!
Thanks and yes, the mattress protector not only keeps out the allergens but the critters too! Bed bugs would be my worst nightmare 🙁
On this dreary, rainy day, the sight of a comfy bed just might make me head back upstairs for a nap! Very pretty and great tips!
Shelley
Ha! I’m resisting the urge too Shelley – such a gloomy morning!
Great tips! I’m glad to know about this company now. Your bed looks beautiful and very cozy! 🙂
Thanks so much Carrie!
you never disappoint kris, every time i visit your blog i learn something new! one being that i need a new mattress, YUCK!
and upholstery hooks, brilliant. BTW, your bedroom is so beautiful and soothing. do you always iron your sheets? wink wink
debra
I can’t get a new mattress soon enough after learning what I did through AllerEase and you can bet that I’ll keep mattress protectors on all of my mattresses from now on too! And I had to laugh at your question about ironing of sheets – Ha! Never. Who’s got time for that? 🙂
So inviting and comfy looking. Thanks for sharing. fondly ~lynne~
Thank you so much Lynne!
Wow, I never imagined there could be that many bugs in a mattress…Know wonder I’m having allergies..my bed is over 10 years old…
I know, isn’t that just so gross?! I never knew how much of a role bedding had in managing allergies – it’s definitely changed I make my bedding choices!
great post – love the way you balanced design tips with very practical suggestions for a clean and non allergenic bed!!
Thanks Karen!
Do you have a source list for your bedding? I just bought a coverlet and really need to get a duvet that’s cute for the winter but don’t know where to start!
I’m happy to share that Rachel – the duvet cover (it’s checked on one side and striped on the other) is from IKEA and the coverlet is from Pottery Barn. I love our IKEA duvet cover and the price was definitely right but just beware that the size of it is a bit off for using with a standard duvet insert – it fits the IKEA duvet insert best.
You have such a way with making everything look so fresh and inviting! Great tips, too!
Thanks Pam!
Thank you for the wonderful information. Will be getting a mattress protector for sure. Do I need one that fully covers all sides or would one for the top work just as well ?
I usually put the ties on my duvet cover at the foot of the bed. Some of them have buttons. Is this just a matter of preference or have I been doing it backwards?
Love the nice neutral tones used here.
Hi Anne,
A mattress protector that fully encases the mattress like the AllerEase one featured gives you better protection for both allergens and critters like bed bugs! And as far as the direction of the duvet, I think it’s just personal preference. I have a duvet that buttons and I put the buttons at the foot of the bed but I think the ties on this one are cute so I put it at the top of the bed. Thanks so much for reading!
So clever! The twist upholstery tacks to hold the bed skirt in place, such a smart idea. I am going to definately do thus next sheet change! Let’s say “tomorrow”! I need to check out the Allerease a great addition to a bedding ensemble.
Sharon @ zoesfrontporch
Thanks Sharon! Those twist pins are lifesavers for not having to constantly adjust your bedskirts!
Hi Kris,
Do you have any advice about sheets? I just bought a set of the Pearl Embroidered sheets from Pottery Barn. My intention was to have the top sheet folded back (like your suggestion) & show off the pretty embroidered detail.
I washed them as soon as I got them & they came out of the dryer a wrinkly mess. Before I put them on the bed I had to iron the top edge of the top sheet so it would look crisp after the bed was made. Are you kidding me PB? Ain’t nobody got time for that!
These were a 280 thread count cotton percale. What kind of sheets don’t look wrinkled after washing?
Hi Mary,
That is so disappointing – I would hate to pay a lot of money for sheets only to have them come out of the wash as a bag of wrinkles because, like you, there is no way I’m ironing sheets! I wish I had an awesome answer for you but it’s hard to find wonderful sheets. If you want to make sure they don’t get wrinkly after washing, sheets that are a poly/cotton blend are a good bet but unfortunately they’re not as comfy as all cotton sheets. I would contact Pottery Barn to see if you can return your sheets even having already washed them – their customer service has been outstanding in the few cases where I’ve had an issue with their product. If I ever find the perfect pair of sheets, you can bet you’ll see a post on it 🙂
Bought awesome sheets from Target – Performance Sheets I think they are. Barely wrinkle and they have double elastics. Pull nice and firmly smooth over the nicely padded mattress protector I have (Costco).
Thanks so much for sharing that Catherine – I’ll have to check them out!
Beautiful bed. I always thought the quilt or blanket went under the duvet. Just wondering.
Hi Carol! In the winter, I do actually add a quilt under the duvet but what I used on the top of the bed in this room is a coverlet that’s meant to be the top layer. It’s similar to a quilt but sized larger so that it works as the top layer. Hope that helps!
Love the simple neutral colors….where did this bedding come from?
Hi Courtney! The duvet cover (it’s checked on one side and striped on the other) is from IKEA, the coverlet is from Pottery Barn, the ruffled shams are from Pine Cone Hill, and the square shams were custom made.
Even with a mattress protector which covers the entire mattress and closes with a zipper, you need a mattress pad which goes on before the mattress pad. And it is always a really good idea, (recommended by allergists) to vacuum your mattress at least once a month and wash the mattress pad at least every two months.
Beautiful! Where did you find those gorgeous lamps?
Tamara, I’m so sorry I didn’t see your comment until now. You probably don’t even need an answer anymore but in case you’re still looking I got the lamps at Target and shades at Ballard Designs.
Thank you for the info! I found some similar lamps at Kirklands and will check out Ballard Designs’ lampshades.
I love the bedding you used. Can you tell me where you puchased duvet cover and shams
Thank you Luanne! The duvet is from IKEA and I had the shams made from some remnant fabric I found locally (there was no info on it about the brand or name of fabric unfortunately). Thanks for reading!
I LOVE these pillows! Can you tell me where you purchased the lumbar pillow cover?
Hi Erica! I actually had the lumbar pillow cover made because I couldn’t find any premade lumbars that I liked. The fabric is from Calico Corners.
Everything about this bedroom is absolutely beautiful! What is the wall paint color? It so soothing to the eye. Great for a bedroom space. Thanks!
Thanks so much Dianna! I’m happy to share the paint color – it’s Pratt & Lambert’s Ever Classic.
Can you share where is your duvet cover and coverlet from? I love your bed. Going to get those pillows!
Never mind I just read other comments and I saw where someone else asked that question. I bought that PB coverlet and those pillows. I was sold after I saw your bed (o:
Sorry I didn’t see your comment earlier – glad you were able to sleuth it out! Hope you love them!
Loved your bed and pillows, Kris. I want to find something the same from the local IKEA. Thanks for sharing the guide
Thanks Maria! Good luck on your IKEA shopping trip!
Going shopping!!!!
It’s so funny. My husband and I have been arguing every time we make the bed as to whether the top is placed face down or up!! How long do you ask? thirty one years! All in fun though. Sleep between the patterns.
Thank you,
Lila
So funny! I honestly have the buttoned/tied end at the bottom of the bed in some rooms and at the top of the bed in others like this one where I like how the cute ties look! So I think you’re both right 🙂
I love everything about this room! Great job! What paint color did you use for your wall?
Hi Nikki – it’s Pratt & Lambert’s Ever Classic
I love the look of this bedding – but have a couple of questions:
-Where are the pillows (in pillowcases) that you would actually sleep on? Are they in the shams? …because that seems cumbersome for a guest bed if the guest makes the bed each morning, like I do when I am a guest.
-Is this a full size bed? If so, which sizes of duvets, covers and quilts did you use which actually covers the box spring? I can get my bed to look like yours ON ONE SIDE ONLY when using the “correct” size bedding!
Hi Cynthia,
I actually keep all of the pillows on an easy to reach shelf in our armoire so my guests can choose which ones they want when they get there. And this is a queen bed – the Pottery Barn quilt that I have on it is actually very generously sized and fits it really well!
I never thought about using those twist pins for the bed skirt! What a great idea! Loved the whole article and happy you included sources.
They work great! Glad you enjoyed the post!
Finally—.A bed that does not have shams the same as the comforter. I bought a comforter I love, but there were no matching shams. My comforter is a bone color. I am going to get white shams thanks to you.
I hope it ended up working out well for you!!
Great information. I really like your blog. It’s quite very interesting. Thanks for this useful but lovely post.
I just bought a king size bed which look great but have no idea how to create a awesome looking bedding with it. But thanks to you, I have a lot of ideas to decorate and create awesome looking bedroom. Thanks for sharing such great ideas.