Nothing feels as good as slipping into a comfy, cozy bed at the end of a long day. The best way to ensure that feeling every night is to make your bed every morning. Rather than think of it as a chore, look at it as setting the stage for a serene environment. Making a room’s bed instantly declutters a space, making you feel less stressed and more organized. That’s why luxury hotels go to great lengths to dress the beds properly before guests arrive — they want you to feel enveloped by that “ahhh” feeling when you dive into it. For those who need an extra push to make their beds every morning, there’s also research that shows people who do are happier and more productive. The average person spends 26 years of their life sleeping, so why not spend that time as comfortably as possible? Here are five steps to mastering the art of making a bed, so you can rest easy knowing you have a luxurious spot to sink into every night.
1. The Mattress and Topper
No matter how great your bed looks when it’s made, it won’t matter if it’s not comfortable. Before you place textiles on top of your bed, think about what goes underneath. The right mattress and mattress topper are the foundation of a good night’s sleep. To find the right one, you may have to visit a store to try out different mattresses. (This is one time when buying online may not be ideal.) Think about what makes you comfortable when you sleep. Do you prefer firm or soft surfaces? Do you tend to sweat or are you always cold? What about your partner? Once you have these basics in place, everything else falls into place, too. If you prefer to add a mattress topper, start making your bed every day by gently pulling it smooth around the edges. Look for those with elastic edges that make it easy to tug into place.
2. The Fitted Sheet
Now you’re ready to lay the fitted sheet on top of your bed. Do it so the edges are loosely aligned with the corners of the bed. Tuck one corner of the fitted sheet under the bed then move diagonally to the opposite corner and repeat. Continue until all four corners are pulled in smooth. This approach helps ensure a more even surface. If you have a pillow top mattress or topper, look for extra-deep sheets for a better, more snug fit. When shopping for sheets, keep in mind that a sky-high thread count isn’t necessarily better. Many companies have started twisting and combining fibers, so that’s no longer the best gauge. Whenever possible, touch your sheets before you buy them to make sure you like the way they feel against your skin. For the highest quality sheets, look for the words Egyptian cotton or Supima on the label. These are long-staple cottons, which means they yield the silkiest, smoothest, softest touch.
3. The Flat Sheet
Some people forgo the flat sheet altogether because it tends to shift more easily than the fitted sheet. To avoid that, strive for hospital corners. Here’s how: Place the flat sheet on top of the bed so that the sides are even, then tuck it under the bed across the bottom. Next, pull each of the bottom corners in so they lay on top of the bed and form a triangle. Tuck the corners dangling on either side beneath the mattress first, then bring the corners from the top of the bed down and over the side to tuck those underneath, too. Pull the top of the sheet down to just below where the pillows will go and tuck in the sides.
If you prefer a thin blanket to a comforter or duvet, follow the steps for hospital corners but with the blanket placed on top of the flat sheet, so you’re tucking both together at the same time as you go.
4. The Duvet or Comforter
Place your duvet or comforter over the bed so that it’s even on all sides. Fold it about a third of the way down the bed to just below where the pillows will go, so it’s aligned with the flat. For a more casual look, fold it down another third so it sits neatly at the foot of the bed.
5. The Pillows
There are three sets of pillows on a bed. The ones you’ll actually lay your head on to sleep, the more decorative euro shams, and the accent pillows that add a pop of pattern or personality. This foolproof formula that works every time: Place one or two euro shams at the back, depending on whether you’re making a twin or queen bed. Then place one or two standard shams in front (again depending on the size of the bed). Add one decorative pillow and one (twin) or two (queen) lumbar pillows. If you’re making a king-sized bed, place three euro shams against the back of the bend, then add three queen-size pillows across the bed instead of two kings. This simple trick makes the bed look fuller, so you don’t have a flimsy gap in the center. Add three accent pillows (one rectangle, one square, and one short bolster) and you’re done.
Making your bed every morning won’t just get your day started off on the right foot, it will end your day on a high note, too. Once you follow these five steps a few times, they’ll become second nature and you’ll be able to make your bed perfectly in mere minutes. Then all that’s left to do is have sweet dreams.
Ana Connery is former content director of Parenting, Babytalk, Pregnancy Planner and Conceive magazines as well as parenting.com.
While editor in chief of Florida Travel & Life magazine from 2006-2009, she covered the state’s real estate and home design market as well as travel destinations.
She’s held senior editorial positions at some of the country’s most celebrated magazines, including Latina, Fitness and Cooking Light, where she oversaw the brand’s “FitHouse” show home.
Ana’s expertise is frequently sought after for appearances on “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America” and CNN. She has interviewed the country’s top experts in a variety of fields, including U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and First Lady Michelle Obama.