Making the Bed: The Ultimate Guide

Did you know that making the bed could help you sleep better? A survey from the National Sleep Foundation found that people who make their bed in the morning are more likely to report a good night’s sleep.

Making the bed is more than just pulling up the duvet. Start from the bottom and make your bed correctly. It will look better, and you’ll feel better.

1. Start with the skirt.

Consider adding a bed skirt if you have a traditional bed with a frame, box spring, and mattress. It makes the bed look tidier and hides everything underneath. Take the mattress completely off the box spring. Add the skirt and line its seams up with the edges of the bed frame before putting the mattress back.

2. Add a topper or mattress pad.

A topper is a padded layer you can add to your mattress to make it softer and cozier. It’s not necessary, but it’s an economical way to change the feel of your bed. With or without a topper in place, use a mattress pad. This keeps your mattress clean and extends its lifetime. Tuck the corners in very well to keep the pad in place. You won’t need to change it as often as the sheets.

3. Put on the fitted sheet.

Next up is the fitted sheet. It can be a little frustrating to fit over the corners. Start with the hardest to reach and really tuck it in well. Then stretch the sheet to the other corners, pulling it taut and smoothing it out as you go.

4. Line up and tuck in the flat sheet.

Spread your flat sheet out—upside down—over the bed before tucking. This allows you to line it up to avoid short-changing one side. When it’s even, tuck in the bottom of the sheet first. Then, do hospital corners:

• Lift a piece of the sheet on the side of the bed, about two feet from the bottom of the mattress.
• Angle that piece you lifted so that it is 45 degrees from the mattress corner and lay it on top of the bed.
• Neatly tuck the excess sheet under the side of the mattress.
• Drop the rest of the sheet down and tuck it in. You should have a neat corner with a 45-degree angle.

5. Choose a comforter, quilt, or duvet.

To top off the bed, add your choice of comforter, quilt, or duvet. A duvet is a good option because it comes with a cover you can remove and wash. Fold down the top of the cover with the top of the flat sheet. Because you put the sheet upside down, you should see its pattern when you do this.

6. Add pillows.

Add your pillows at the top of the bed. Place them so you can still see some of the turned-down sheet. Add decorative pillows to make it cozy and inviting.

Optional Bed Accessories

This is your basic made bed, but there are other items you can use to make it neater or for other purposes.

• Use bed sheet clips. Also called sheet straps or sheet holders, if you have a fitted sheet that tends to slip off the mattress. These hold it in place.
• Pillow protectors. These are zippered pillowcases that protect your pillows from stains and allergens. You can put a pillowcase or sham over the top to match the sheets and other bedding.
• What is a pillow sham? If the protector and case are the workhorses, these are the show ponies. A sham is largely decorative. Use them to add another element of decor to your room.
• Add your choice of blankets. There are many options here, from lightweight blankets and summer blankets to the warmest blankets for winter.

Making your bed might not fix all your sleep problems, but it’s one element in the bigger picture. Try tidying up your sleeping space. It just might make it feel more inviting, cozy, and conducive to good sleep.