Designer Insider: How to Make Your Bed Like a Stylist
Glamorous hues and hotel-style hospital corners, we'll show you how to make a bed that's fit for a queen
A beautifully made bed can entice you to rest, sleep in on Sundays or impress a guest (in the guest room or otherwise!). Whether it showcases a remarkable ability with ‘hospital corners’ that tickles the fancy of neat freaks, or celebrates the perfectly casual delights of a throw that’s been tossed just so, a well-made bed indicates your home has stylish order.
To deal with the sad reality that not all of us have a maid who will finesse things after we’ve walked out the door for the day, we’ve suggested some simple ways you can have that picture-perfect bed. Find out the tricks that stylists use to make beds more than gorgeous enough to entice you to bed – and be prepared to be tutored (ever so nicely) on perfect tuck-ins.
To deal with the sad reality that not all of us have a maid who will finesse things after we’ve walked out the door for the day, we’ve suggested some simple ways you can have that picture-perfect bed. Find out the tricks that stylists use to make beds more than gorgeous enough to entice you to bed – and be prepared to be tutored (ever so nicely) on perfect tuck-ins.
Take style cues from hotel rooms
With glamourous grey all round, it’s not surprising to discover that this main bedroom in an Australian church-turned-home has been designed to create the feel of a luxury hotel suite. What a great way to remind yourself that you have no more jobs to do for the day.
With glamourous grey all round, it’s not surprising to discover that this main bedroom in an Australian church-turned-home has been designed to create the feel of a luxury hotel suite. What a great way to remind yourself that you have no more jobs to do for the day.
Use layers to set the mood
Frilly edges add charm to a pretty little space, which is beautifully enhanced by a small embroidered pillow that adds a personal touch. The tightly quilted texture on the bedspread seems designed to keep you snug. And the way it’s pulled back? It’s casual done with perfection.
Frilly edges add charm to a pretty little space, which is beautifully enhanced by a small embroidered pillow that adds a personal touch. The tightly quilted texture on the bedspread seems designed to keep you snug. And the way it’s pulled back? It’s casual done with perfection.
Make the bed ready to climb into
The puff of this quilt is accentuated by the three-quarter, climb-into-me turndown, and leaves plenty of space for some seriously cosy-looking pillows. Showing the bedding layers is bound to have real appeal for people who arrive home late at night.
The puff of this quilt is accentuated by the three-quarter, climb-into-me turndown, and leaves plenty of space for some seriously cosy-looking pillows. Showing the bedding layers is bound to have real appeal for people who arrive home late at night.
Try solid hue textiles for striking effect
A light-weight rug can create an effective stripe over a very plain spread and link the very bold choice of unpatterned orange to the country whites of the room. Choosing such a lovely bright colour really lifts the tone of the honeyed country timber furnishings. Just tuck in the bedspread at the end and flatten it out, then stand up the pillows. Make sure your bedspread is wide enough that it can hang right down the high bed sides (like this one) and hide any sheet corners that haven’t gone well that morning.
A light-weight rug can create an effective stripe over a very plain spread and link the very bold choice of unpatterned orange to the country whites of the room. Choosing such a lovely bright colour really lifts the tone of the honeyed country timber furnishings. Just tuck in the bedspread at the end and flatten it out, then stand up the pillows. Make sure your bedspread is wide enough that it can hang right down the high bed sides (like this one) and hide any sheet corners that haven’t gone well that morning.
Keep design simple in small spaces
Linking the bed with its surrounds makes perfect sense in this Asian-feel bedroom. It also creates maximum impact with minimum fuss, which works well in what is a quite small room. The fringe on the blanket provides all the soft touch that is required.
Linking the bed with its surrounds makes perfect sense in this Asian-feel bedroom. It also creates maximum impact with minimum fuss, which works well in what is a quite small room. The fringe on the blanket provides all the soft touch that is required.
Utilise the placement of shapes
Rectangles and squares make a composition of this bed’s styling. You’ll need to practise those neat corners (read on for some hints) to make this kind of look a satisfying daily reality. It’s one to be done perfectly, or not at all.
Rectangles and squares make a composition of this bed’s styling. You’ll need to practise those neat corners (read on for some hints) to make this kind of look a satisfying daily reality. It’s one to be done perfectly, or not at all.
Change things around until it’s just right
Stylists always seem to know what will sing, and this combination of pattern, texture and colour shift sure does the trick. But great design doesn’t happen with a snap of your fingers (as much as I’d love to have a style genie in a bottle). Don’t be afraid to experiment to achieve a look that says you have a real knack with decor.
Stylists always seem to know what will sing, and this combination of pattern, texture and colour shift sure does the trick. But great design doesn’t happen with a snap of your fingers (as much as I’d love to have a style genie in a bottle). Don’t be afraid to experiment to achieve a look that says you have a real knack with decor.
Let a special feature stand out
One good investment in a very cool quilt cover makes this room an instant success, especially with the well-placed touches of bright yellow to set off the whole thing. The quilted valance has a firm finish and warm texture, too.
One good investment in a very cool quilt cover makes this room an instant success, especially with the well-placed touches of bright yellow to set off the whole thing. The quilted valance has a firm finish and warm texture, too.
Make subtle shifts in tone
Soft progressions from nice whites through hues of grey to a black bedhead adds a certain class. And it’s easy to make when you’re speeding your way through morning tasks. Pull the quilt right up to the bedhead and let the sides cover the edges of the bed base.
Soft progressions from nice whites through hues of grey to a black bedhead adds a certain class. And it’s easy to make when you’re speeding your way through morning tasks. Pull the quilt right up to the bedhead and let the sides cover the edges of the bed base.
Give your bed a gender
When you’re giving yourself a little princess bling about the room, a bed cover that requires space to spread out seems just the thing. With simple quilted lines, this bed cover stretches right under the pillows and billows out like a Cinderella gown. Let femininity reign supreme!
When you’re giving yourself a little princess bling about the room, a bed cover that requires space to spread out seems just the thing. With simple quilted lines, this bed cover stretches right under the pillows and billows out like a Cinderella gown. Let femininity reign supreme!
Now, here’s the drill on perfect corners
A flat bed base is just asking for linen that’s as simple as can be. White on white has Zen appeal, but you’ll have to be good at hospital corners if you’re going to keep your cool when it’s your turn to make the bed. First sweep the end of the sheet under the mattress, then lift the remaining sheet at each side of the bed up and towards the bedhead, tuck back the excess fabric and bring the whole lot down and tuck it under the mattress. Making sure all the material is smooth is the key. Once you’ve tested out the technique, repeat daily. With results this rewarding, you’re bound to be inspired to improve.
A flat bed base is just asking for linen that’s as simple as can be. White on white has Zen appeal, but you’ll have to be good at hospital corners if you’re going to keep your cool when it’s your turn to make the bed. First sweep the end of the sheet under the mattress, then lift the remaining sheet at each side of the bed up and towards the bedhead, tuck back the excess fabric and bring the whole lot down and tuck it under the mattress. Making sure all the material is smooth is the key. Once you’ve tested out the technique, repeat daily. With results this rewarding, you’re bound to be inspired to improve.
Don’t all the Houzz photos of beds look so impressive? I’m smitten with this room that seems to mirror the sky outside. The tucked-in quilt not only suggests that there’ll be plenty of bedding to share, it also enhances the best thing about quilts – their plumped-upness.