How to Make a Bed the Right Way

Making a bed seems straightforward until you actually have to do it. Our tried-and-true method for how to make a bed guarantees a beautiful, balanced finished product. We start with several bed layers—fitted sheet, flat sheet, blankets, and a duvet—then finish with a pile of decorative bed pillows. These steps work for any mattress size, whether you want to learn how to make a bed that's a king, queen, double, or twin.

What You'll Need

Materials

fitted sheet
flat sheet
Coverlet or blanket
Duvet or comforter
Pillows and pillowcases

Instructions

How to Make a Bed

Place the Sheets
Lay the fitted sheet on your bed, aligning the corners of the sheet with the corners of the bed. Starting in one corner, tuck the bedsheet under the mattress. Move diagonally to the next corner and repeat tucking in the sheet. Repeat for the remaining two corners.
Smooth out any gaps or bunches, and make sure the fitted sheet is pulled taut over the mattress. Then, lay the flat sheet over the bed so it hangs evenly on both sides. Lay it face down so the decorative or patterned front will show when you fold it back.

These Are The 7 Best Mattress Pads of 2024, According to Months of Testing
Tuck the Sheets
For how to make a bed with hospital corners, tuck in the flat sheet at the end of the bed. Then, pick the sheet and place the edge on top of the bed, forming a triangle. Tuck the side corner beneath the mattress. Bring the piece resting on top of the bed over and tuck it in neatly, then tuck in the sheets on the side of the bed. Repeat on the other side.
Put On the Blanket
Spread the coverlet or blanket across the entire bed. Then, pull down the coverlet and top sheet about a pillow's width from the top of the bed.

The 5 Best Cooling Weighted Blankets of 2024, Based on Lab Testing
Spread Out the Duvet
Depending on your preference, you'll finish making your bed with a comforter, duvet, quilt, or other top bed cover. Spread out the duvet. Starting at the top of the bed, fold down the duvet into thirds across the end of the bed.

How to Put a Duvet Cover On with Ease
Finalize with Bed Pillows
Add a flourish with our bedroom pillow ideas. Start with the standard pillow sets for beds. For a king or queen mattress, use four pillows. Add pillow shams to the back two pillows; the other two should be purchased with your comfort and sleeping style in mind. Finally, add accent pillows in solids and patterns for a bit of personality.

How Often Should You Replace Pillows? Plus How to Make Them Last Longer
How to Make a Bed in Different Styles

Casual and Comfortable
The primary focus of making a bed is ensuring it's cozy, so the priority should be soft and comforting bed linens. Investing in higher thread count sheets and the perfect sleeping pillow guarantees a better night's sleep. A soft duvet cover with genuine or synthetic down is cozy and warm.
Tailored and Textured
Anything goes these days when it comes to layering linens in a bedroom. Combine velvet with linen, lambswool with cotton, and quilted or matelassé with wool for tangible softness. Mix in contemporary patterns that belong to a complementary color palette for added visual interest.
Pretty and Practical
Often, the sleeping pillow is the plainest piece of bedding. Placing it behind decorative shams allows the bed to be a stylish focal point by day, and at night, the sleeping pillow is readily available when it's time to turn down the covers. Layering a comfortable throw at the end of the bed brings style and adds greater warmth when necessary.

The 18 Best Blankets of 2024 for Your Home, According to Our Testing
Cottage Chic
Cottage style is always a combination of casual, collected, and cozy. Get the look by gathering complementary patterns in soothing colors and layering the skirt, coverlet, and decorative pillows in a comforting collection.
Patterned and Playful
The bedroom is another opportunity in your home to decorate with pattern and color. Layer geometrics, florals, stripes, and solids in a playful manner that welcomes you each time you enter your bedroom.

40 Primary Bedroom Ideas for Every Style
Reasons to Make Your Bed Everyday
It's so tempting every morning to leave the bed as is when you're getting ready for the day. After all, you're just going to get back in and mess it up later, right? True, but there are good reasons to take the time to make the bed each morning. It immediately tidies the room and that simple act can affect your mood and reduce stress. Things don't get lost in a jumble of covers and the bedding looks crisp and clean (even if it's overdue for the washer). There's no point in buying lovely sheets and a lush comforter if it's just a tangle on the bed. And it's a luxurious feeling to sink into a smoothly made bed with freshly plumped pillows every night. You deserve that hotel-like experience every day.