How to make your bed to impress

5 min read

Last Modified 27 February 2024 First Added 5 February 2024

Credit: @athomewiththelloyds

From wrestling with pesky fitted sheets to tackling tangled duvets, we unveil the secrets to a bed so smooth, you’ll want to dive right in. Just don’t forget your pyjamas first…

If you’ve ever found yourself stood on your mattress pulling a superman pose to place your bedsheet over the far corner of your mattress, you’ll know the struggles involved in making your bed. Don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Whether you’re making your bed in the morning, dressing a bed for guests or have just finished your weekly wash, here are our simple steps to making a bed with the wow factor. With crisp and clean bedding, you’ll never want to leave it.

A beige upholstered bed frame, styled with white bedding
Hopkins Fabric Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame

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Hopkins Fabric Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame

Credit: @_athomewitholivia_

­­­1. Clear your bed

Clear your bed of all items and ensure you have a clean bottom sheet, duvet and pillow cases to hand. When clearing, it’s best to hang everything over a chair or other piece of furniture rather than on the floor.

2. Place your mattress protector or topper

While mattress topper and protectors aren’t essentials, we highly recommend including these as part of your process for making your bed. A mattress topper will add that extra touch of comfort while protectors help keep both your bed base and your mattress clean, extending their lifespan. Both items need putting into position before you add your bedsheet.

3. Add your fitted sheet

Begin by finding the long end of your sheet and fit one corner over the top edge of your mattress. For those with the side of their bed against the wall, it’s best to start at the most difficult corner. Once you’ve hooked your sheet over a top corner, do the same process for the bottom corner on the same side. Then, continue corner by corner until perfectly fitted.

It’s wise at this stage to double-check that each corner is flawlessly fitted and that each side of your sheet reaches the base of your mattress. You don’t want to wake up in the morning with the bedsheet crumpled to one side, having come loose through the night.

4. Layer with a flat sheet

For a truly hotel style bed, you can layer a fitted and flat sheet for double the luxury. With an additional layer of protection for your mattress plus a snug dose of extra cosy comfort for you, give it a try next time you make your bed.

Place your flat top sheet across your mattress’s breadth and ensure it drapes equally over both sides. If your sheet is patterned, you can place the pattern face down so that it’s visible when you fold back the top of the sheet. Of course, if you want the full pattern on display, place it facing up.

A grey upholstered bed frame, styled with white bedding
Charlie Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame

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Charlie Upholstered Ottoman Bed Frame

Credit: @lydfordhome

5. Create hospital corners

Making hospital corners is the most difficult part of making your bed to impress, but once you’ve done it two or three times, it becomes a lot easier. Don’t give up if you find it difficult the first time you try it! Remember – practice makes perfect. Here’s a step by step guide to creating hospital corners like a pro:

  1. Tuck the end of the flat sheet between the mattress and frame at the foot of the bed.
  2. On one side, grab a piece of the top sheet, lift it up and fold this section of the sheet over the top of the mattress, so it forms a 45-degree angle from the corner of the mattress.
  3. Holding the folded piece of sheet in place on top of the mattress, tuck in any sheet hanging below the mattress on that side of the bed.
  4. Now, let the folded piece of the sheet on top of the mattress fall.
  5. Tuck the hanging edge of the sheet smoothly between the mattress and the divan all the way along the side of the bed.
  6. Repeat this process on the opposite side of the bed.
Natural-tone bed with buttoned headboard, styled with blue and green accessories.
Deacon Upholstered Bed Frame

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Deacon Upholstered Bed Frame

Credit: @littlegreenbyron

6. Pop on your duvet

If you’re in the depths of winter or just simply at risk of feeling cold through the night, it’s important to add a duvet into the mix. Even in summer, you can find low-tog duvets which add that little extra touch of comfort and warmth.

Once you’ve put your duvet inside its cover, simply place the duvet over your top sheet and ensure a little bit of the duvet drapes over the bottom of the bed. If you’re struggling to get your duvet into its cover, check out our video on 3 easy ways to put on a duvet cover.

7. Fluff your pillows

To extend the lifespan of your pillows and ensure they don’t lose their bounce or cushion, it’s important to fluff them every morning when you make your bed. Check out our video on 3 fool-proof ways to keep your pillows fluffy.

8. Add the finishing touches

Like all things in life, it’s the finishing touches that make the masterpiece! So, don’t skimp on the final touches when making your bed. Consider adding two co-ordinating decorative pillows or folding a blanket into thirds and running it across the foot of your bed. These extra little details can really transform your bed and give it that photo-ready look.

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Read more: 3 hotel-worthy ways to style your bedroom