I feel like I can’t formulate an opinion on something unless I know it inside and out so I make sure I know my stuff before I tackle anything. When I took on our master bedroom (specifically the bed) I dove deep into Pinterest and blogs and inspo photos to not only create the perfect bedscape but also to learn how to make a bed properly. I’m honestly embarrassed to say I didn’t know how to make a grown up bed! I didn’t understand all of the layers or how to get everything to lay nicely. Now that I’ve officially consumed enough information to write an encyclopedia on beds, I’m super excited to share with you the abridged version of what I’ve learned and how you can style your bed like an interior design pro.

As always, when I am preparing to style a space, I figure out what I want the vibe to be/the creative direction I want to go in for the space. I definitely recommend looking at accounts of the specific brands you like that sell products pertaining to what you’re working on because they will serve you up a ton of inspo that you can pull from when creating your own thing. Since my project this time was our bed/bedroom, I looked specifically at the Instagram accounts of nice bedding companies such as Parachute, Magic Linen, and Cozy Earth to name a few.

Bedrooms are meant to be a place you go to relax and the bed is usually the focal point. I decided I wanted our bedroom to be elevated but cozy. Functional but warm. When deciding on a color scheme I knew I wanted things to be neutral colors to ensure a calm and relaxing vibe and then several textural elements to add interest and coziness.

When it comes to buying pieces of bedding, I learned the anatomy of a bed can be broken down like this in order from inside to out:

1. SHEETS

Sheets are so important. After all, you spend ⅓ of your life in bed. I am pretty partial to white sheets but a subtle pattern can be pretty too. Sheets need to be super soft, smooth, and breathable. I recommend buying temperature regulating sheets since they work well whether you run hot or cold. Bamboo sheets are the best for this. If you follow me on instagram you know how obsessed I am with bamboo sheets - specifically Cozy Earth’s bamboo sheets. They are the best things on Earth and are one of Oprah’s favorite things for a reason. In the past, I’ve always done costco sheets which are fine and I’ve heard Brooklinen and Target’s Threshold Organic Cotton Sheets are both good too but I’m telling you, nothing comes even close to Cozy Earth’s sheets. They’re a tad pricey but more than worth the splurge. SAMGLEAVE50 will get you 50% off til the end of November so TAKE ADVANTAGE. My one tip if you do get those sheets is to wash and dry them before using them. Washing and drying is what transforms them into the buttery dream they are.

Below are some of my favorite sheets:

Threshold 300 Thread Count Organic Cotton Solid Sheet Set

2. Quilt/Coverlet

It’s totally optional but a quilt can be a very versatile and pretty addition to your bedscape. Depending on the temperature, I will either place it on top of the flat sheet for added warmth when it’s cooler or fold it in thirds and lay it on top of my bed across the base during warmer months. For aesthetic reasons, placing it on top of the flat sheet allows you to fold over your duvet which allows an extra layer/color to peep through and adds depth + a major cozy factor. This is one of the ways professionals make their beds look extra thick and cozy. Laying it across the base of the bed on top of the duvet is a nice accent when it’s too hot for the extra layer. You can also just ditch the duvet all together and sleep under your quilt when it’s too warm for a duvet.

I recommend choosing a quilt with some texture to add interest. Personally, since I was set on having a white duvet, I chose to branch out of my all white comfort zone and went with a tan/beige quilt and I LOVE it.

Below are some of my favorite quilts:

Casaluna Cashmere Blend Quilt (I have this one in the king size)

3. Duvet/Comforter

I am a big fan of duvets instead of comforters. Mostly because you can only get that super luxe fluffy look that makes beds look super cozy with a duvet since they are filled with either a down or alternative down stuffing. Another perk of having a duvet is that you just have to buy a good one one time (make sure it has loops in the corners so you can tie the cover to it) and then you can switch out the covers whenever you are ready for a refresh. That being said, it does require a cover much like a pillow needs a pillow case. A comforter is just a fluffy/thicker blanket. It usually has some sort of stuffing inside of it as well that gives it a puffy feel.

Below are some duvets I love:

Amazon GrayEagle Bedding Co All Season Down Alternative Comforter

If I were to get a comforter, I’d get one of these:

Casaluna Heavyweight Linen Blend Comforter and Sham Set

4. Duvet Cover

This is the most fun to pick out and definitely a personal preference. Some tips are to get a duvet cover with corner ties. I recommend getting a duvet cover that is the exact measurements of your duvet insert or a few inches smaller to create that extra fluffy look and avoid any extra, loose fabric on the sides. When it came to choosing a duvet cover I couldn’t decide between linen or percale. I loooove the look of linen but I was under the impression that it was stiff, scratchy and not very comfortable. Boy, did Parachute prove me wrong. I ordered their percale and linen to compare and fell in absolute love with the linen. Both were great but the percale was thinner, cooler, crisp, and almost a blue-white. It felt sort of hotel-like and that just wasn’t what I was going for. The linen was thicker, surprisingly very soft, the perfect crinkly texture, and was a warm white color. I decided that I wanted my bedroom to pull warmer rather than cooler.

Below are some of my favorite duvet covers:

Casaluna Heavyweight Linen Blend Duvet & Pillow Sham Set

Casaluna Cashmere Blend Duvet Cover & Sham Set

5. Throw Pillows

This is where you can get creative with your bedroom style. The only rules I’d recommend following are the sizing combinations I’ve included below.

Personally, I like the look of larger, plain euro pillows (26”x26”) and then a long lumbar pillow with a design (either tufted or kilim). I recommend getting down feather inserts and zippered pillow covers for the square/rectangle ones as opposed to the pre-made ones you typically find at Target. Pillows that have inserts and covers can be molded easily and look better when fluffed and karate chopped on the top. This makes them look much more expensive. You can find inserts for cheap at Ikea or on Amazon. If you’re looking on Amazon just search the size and material you want and a lot of different options will pop up. (example search: down alternative pillow insert 22x22).

You can find pillow covers from so many different places too. I got lucky and found mine on Amazon and they were the perfect color and fabric I was looking for but Parachute, Pottery Barn, Maewoven, and Woven Nook have gorgeous options as well. Just make sure when you do buy a pillow cover, it is either the same dimensions as the insert or 2 inches shorter in height and width if you want a fluffier look. I don’t think you have to get a long lumbar as an insert/cover situation because they look better when they hold their shape.

Below are some insert options:

Amazon Down Alternative Pillow Insert (several sizes)

Ikea Down Euro Insert

6. Throw Blanket

Last and final touch, a throw blanket for the end of the bed. This can be any style but I typically opt for a fun texture like a chunky knit or a gauzy muslin. You can either toss it onto a bottom corner of the bed in a messy, triangular shape for a lived-in look or lay it neatly across the base of the bed for a clean finish.

Below are some of my favorites:

Casaluna Chunky Knit Bed Blanket (the one I have)

Making the Bed:

When it comes to making my bed, I will toss everything off of it including the duvet. I will then adjust the flat sheet so that it comes up to the right height (almost to the top of the bed bc i like to pull the covers up past my chin) and then tuck it under the mattress everywhere else. Next, I will either add the quilt/coverlet or the duvet depending on the time of year. If it’s cold, I’ll add the quilt next and tuck it in to match the flat sheet. If not, I’ll put the duvet on next and lay the quilt across the bottom (folded in thirds) as an accent. When I put the duvet on I make sure that it’s even on all sides (bottom, left, right) and then fold the top down however far I’m feeling that day. If I have the quilt over the flat sheet and under the duvet then I’ll fold the duvet down in half on top of itself. If not, then I’ll fold it maybe ¼-⅓ the way down. Next, I’ll take our 4 sleeper pillows (two each) and stack them on top of each other with the openings facing inward. Next I take our 3 euro pillows, fluff and chop them and set them in front of the sleep pillows in a neat line. Then I throw a lumbar pillow across the front of them. Finally, I will lay the quilt (which I’ve folded on itself twice) across the foot of the bed and then lay a throw blanket over the top of that. And that’s it!

xoxo,

Sam

How to Style Your Bed Like a Pro