Your bed should be a retreat – a calming place to rest your head after a long day. A perfectly made bed is easy to achieve, thanks to the six steps and expert tips we’ve compiled. We’ll walk you through how to make a bed so that it can be a hassle-free part of your routine.

How to Make a Bed

Making a bed requires a few key parts of bedding, including a mattress cover, sheets, blankets, a top layer, and pillows. Get familiar with these bedding components by reading our guide Basic Parts of Bedding You Need to Know. Follow the steps below to learn how to make a bed with ease.

Step 1: Start With a Mattress Cover

A mattress cover is the foundation when making a bed. This protective layer helps avoid stains and prolongs the lifespan of your mattress. Use this as your first layer before continuing with additional bedding. Your mattress cover should fit snugly around your mattress due to its fitted shape.

Step 2. Add a Fitted Sheet

Time to layer your sheets! A fitted sheet goes first and is slipped over your mattress cover. This sheet will have elastic around the edges that helps it cling to the underside of the mattress so it won’t come untucked in the middle of the night. Most sheet sets include a fitted sheet, flat sheet, and one or two pillowcases for a complete setup.

Step 3. Tuck the Flat Sheet

Now layer on your flat sheet. It should cover the fitted sheet completely, with the sides hanging over the edges of the bed. How far you pull up the top sheet is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer to pull it all the way up to the top of the mattress and tuck in their pillows. Others choose to pull it far enough up to fold over their duvet, quilt, blanket, or comforter for a stylish contrast.

When making your bed, place the flat sheet wrong side up so that when you fold it over, the finished side is exposed. Fold the sheet back slightly to reveal a crisp, neat edge. Then, tuck in the side edges for a snug fit when sleeping.

To secure the flat sheet, follow the instructions for neatly tucked corners, called hospital corners, below. Leave the sides untucked for easy access getting into bed at night.

Step 4. Include a Blanket

Adding an extra layer of warmth before your final, heavier top layer is what sets apart a standard bed from a lavish one. Popular options are blankets, quilts, and coverlets. Tuck in the blanket at the foot of the bed using the hospital corner method. Sleep under the layer in cold months; fold it and place it at the foot of the bed in warmer months for a cozy layer.

Step 5. Lay Down the Top Layer

It’s time to add the final layer of bedding. This layer is typically a duvet cover or comforter to add warmth and coziness. You may also add one of these for aesthetics, but fold it down to the foot of your bed when it is time to sleep. Lay your duvet or comforter across your bed, letting the sides hang down all the way to the floor. Pull the top quarter of your sheet and/or blanket over the top layer for an eye-catching detail. Voila!

Step 6. Top the Bed With Pillows

The final touch is all about pillows. Use both bed and decorative pillows to achieve a beautifully made bed. The number of pillows you want mostly depends on how many you’re willing to move every night. Use Euro pillows as the base pillows in the back of your bed. These large square pillows tend to be more plush and fill the space close to the headboard nicely.

Then place your standard pillows next – these are what you use for sleeping, and they should match your sheets. For a king bed, use three Euro pillows and three standard pillows. Use two Euro pillows and two standard pillows for queen/full beds, and use only one of each for twin beds.

When it comes to accent pillows, the amount and style of these is up to you. We recommend three accent pillows to start, as too many can make the bed look cluttered.

Tip!

Place a decorative basket by your bedside to toss excess pillows into before you go to sleep. You can also roll up an extra blanket in the basket so it is easy to grab on chilly nights.

How to Make Hospital Corners

Making your bed with hospital corners can create a clean, wrinkle-free look that's sure to stay in place. Here are tips for getting those crisp, folded corners.

Step 1: Lay the Top Sheet

Lay the top sheet flat, ensuring it hangs evenly on both sides of the bed. Tuck in the sheet along the foot of the bed. Excess fabric should be hanging down on either side of the bed.

Step 2: Make a Tent

Start about 16" away from one corner of the bed. Grab the bottom of the sheet and lift it straight up, making a tent shape.

Step 3: Tuck & Drape

With your other hand, tuck in the excess sheet between the corner and the tent shape. Once this is complete, let the tent fall. The sheet corner should form a 45° angle with the mattress corner.

Step 4: Tuck Tightly

Pressing one finger on the corner you just created, tuck any remaining hanging sheet under the mattress.

Step 5: Repeat on Every Corner!

Take the previous steps and repeat on every corner for a crisply made bed.

Optional Additions to Elevate Your Bed

Once you've got a hang of bed-making basics, there are easy additions that can level up your sleep setup.

Layer Textiles

Additional pieces like bed skirts, bolster pillows, and an extra throw blanket at the end of the bed can make your space look well-styled. Check out our guide How to Layer a Bed Like an Interior Decorator for an in-depth breakdown on how to incorporate these extra textiles.

Mix Patterns

Pattern is a great way to amp up the visual interest of your bedding, so mixing multiple patterns can really create a stylish focal point. From stripes to florals to plaid, read our guide How to Style Patterned Bedding With 7 Simple Tips to find easy ways to blend patterns without clashing.

Soften Your Setup

A mattress topper can change the way your current mattress feels, making it softer or firmer without breaking the bank. Plus, the added layer can help extend the lifespan of your mattress and protect it from stains. When making a bed, simply slip the mattress topper above the bare mattress and top with the mattress cover, then layer sheets and bedding on as usual.

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