How to Make the Perfect Bed: My Favorite Bedding Formula
Do you struggle to make the perfect bed? Or wonder how many pillows you really need? In this post I’m sharing my favorite bedding formula along with my 7 best tips for creating an inviting bed!
Did you know you spend a third of your life in bed??! It’s actually pretty hard to believe! But it makes you realize how important that space truly is.
Getting quality sleep is one of the most important things we can do for our bodies. Which means having a perfect bed is not just about making it beautiful (though that’s great too!) but even more about making it cozy and comfortable so we get the best sleep we can.
So today I’m sharing my favorite bedding formula and what I think are the seven most important tips for creating the perfect bed!
This post may include affiliate links. Click here for my full disclosure policy.
Pick a Quality Mattress
Your mattress is probably the most important component to a good night’s sleep.
I know it’s an investment, but again, a third of your life! You spend so much time there that it’s important to buy the highest quality you can afford and replace it about every 10 years, or sooner if it’s wearing, sinking, or you’re waking up uncomfortable.
Confession: our last mattress was over 20 years old when we replaced it, and believe me, it was a dramatic difference when we finally did!
Add a Headboard
A headboard isn’t an absolute must, but it’s sure nice to have. Before we redid our primary bedroom, we had never actually had a headboard! But once we added one, it really made a difference.
It’s so nice to have a soft place to lean against for reading or watching TV in bed. I can’t believe I lived without one for so long!
The bed in our guest room, above, is a favorite! It’s very popular, gets amazing ratings, and is so versatile. It can work in almost any style of room and I always get compliments on it.
Whether you choose a full bed or just a headboard, I say pick something that’s upholstered rather than something hard like wood or metal. It will make for a much cozier space.
Use a Mattress Cover
I know many people skip this part thinking it’s not important, but I really think it is. Buying a quality mattress cover helps to make your mattress last longer, protects against stains, and makes it more comfortable for you.
I also add a mattress protector – the kind that zip all the way around – underneath the mattress pad. This protects against dust mites and other things getting trapped in there and causing allergies.
If you want to splurge, you can also add a feather topper for extra comfort and luxury (I use this one in the guest room).
Buy Quality Sheets
There are about a million types of sheets on the market these days, and lots of people have different opinions about what is the best.
But for me, I have found that natural fabrics are absolutely the way to go. We prefer 100% cotton. I’m sure you’ve heard about thread count so I won’t go into that here, but suffice it to say that I think you should just buy the highest quality cotton you can afford. Some of the highest thread count sheets feel stiff and not at all splurge worthy so make sure that if you are going to spend money either feel your sheets or read a good number of reviews.
When I first did research on sheets, I decided to invest in the sateen sheets from Brooklinen, which we’ve been very happy with. They are Wirecutter recommended and have thousands of rave reviews.
Then earlier this year I was gifted a sateen sheet set from Quince and I was pleasantly surprised! Like the Brooklinen, they are soft and feel really nice against the skin. For me, I prefer the Brooklinen slightly but the Quince are nice quality, too.
In summer, you could also opt for linen sheets. They are naturally breathable and only get softer with time. I’ve always wanted to buy a set to try!
For winter, I like to switch out our cotton sheets for something a little warmer like these highly-rated flannel sheets.
And I got a few questions about my favorite sleeping pillows! We’ve struggled for years to find something we like and recently bought these and love them! We got down-filled but they also have a down-alternative version. The best part is they come in different fullnesses depending on your sleeping position. They are not cheap, but I learned the hard way that pillows are definitely something where you get what you pay for!
Add Blankets
Here you can pretty much go as heavy or as light as you wish. We have a knit cotton blanket that we use in spring and summer. It’s perfect for when you want something more than a sheet but a heavy blanket would be too much.
And if you live in a colder climate, you can always layer another lightweight blanket for added warmth or simply switch out the lightweight one for a heavy duty one. Again, I recommend buying only natural fabrics here as well for breathability and comfort.
Add a Linen Duvet
I am a huge fan of linen bedding! Our duvet as well as our decorative pillow covers are linen and I couldn’t love them more. There are lots of linens out there at all kinds of price points, but all of our linen bedding is from Pottery Barn. I find them to be very high quality for the price, and they come in a wide range of colors.
I know some people dislike the wrinkling but to me, it’s actually a plus. It feels more relaxed and makes our room feel more relaxed, while also creating more of that European look that I love.
I love to use a white linen duvet as a base. That way, you can change pillows and/or whatever throw you have at the bottom of the bed when you want to change the look of the room. Even if you don’t go with white, it’s not a bad idea to buy a linen duvet in a neutral, solid color.
It is probably the most expensive item on your bed (aside from the bed itself!) and by buying something versatile it will last much longer.
And the Fun Stuff: the Pillows!
Now onto the fun stuff right?! This is the part most people are focused on! I’m actually a lover of simplicity so I don’t usually go too crazy with throw pillows on the bed.
My favorite bedding formula consists of Euro pillows at the back against the headboard, with two decorative shams in front, followed by a smaller decorative pillow. Or you can also skip the decorative shams and do two 20″ pillows in front of the Euros and then the decorative pillow.
Either way, three layers is the most I ever do – the simpler the better for me.
My Euros and decorative shams are both linen from Pottery Barn. I absolutely love the quilting and the texture it adds, and the pretty French blue really set the whole tone for the room.
And that’s it! These seven tips should go a long way toward helping you to improve not only the appearance of your bed, but also your sleep. Because what’s better than crawling into a cozy bed at the end of the day?!
Shop Our Favorite Bedding
Wishing you all a good night’s sleep tonight! 😉
Sheila
xo
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to check out more decorating ideas and inspiration below:
How to Decorate Using the Rule of 3
How to Style a Coffee Table: 5 Essential Tips
20 Essential Decorating Measurements You Need to Know!
Hello, your sleeping pillow link is not working. Could you please send working link?
Thanks
Cathy
Hi Cathy! So sorry about that! Those pillows are no longer made. However, I’ve recently purchased new ones as those were getting flat and I’m loving the ones we got!
I purchased down here: https://rstyle.me/+JRvI2FEh2ySs9zde78vxzQ
But they also make down alternative versions is you prefer; https://rstyle.me/+RGkHLYC63P8feEQ_8umMYg
Hope that helps!
Sheila
Your bed is beautiful!
I’m embarrassed to ask this, but where are your pillows that you sleep on? Do you sleep on euros or do you place your regular pillows in the shams each morning?
Haha don’t be embarassed Betsy – it’s a legit question! The pillows we sleep on live BEHIND the euros, standing up against the headboard. That way they are hidden but also easily accessible for sleeping.
Hope that helps!
Sheila
Sheila, This is a beautifully made bed. I love everything about it. The simplicity is very appealing to me. I need to simplify everything in my life and I want my bedroom to be a sanctuary at the end of the day. I may have missed it but what kind of pillows do you like best? We are going through them and money to buy them like crazy and don’t like any that we have tried so far. I love your style in every post you make.
Hi Julie and thank you so much for your kind words! I apologize for not linking some of our favorite pillows, I did add them into the post now. Like you I’ve tried many and lived with ones that we’ve hated for years. I LOVE the pillows we have now, but they are pricey. They are Wamsutta and down filled (though they come in poly-fill too). I’ve linked them for you to check out.
Hope that helps!
Sheila
As with everything else you do….I love love the bedroom set-up! I also use linen sheets and a white linen duvet cover. My question is…..how do you arrange pillows with an iron headboard? They do not stack as well as a traditional headboard and the style of the headboard is the “showpiece”
Thanks for any info….I always have a difficult time with this one!
Thanks so much Donna! Yes, an iron headboard is a different story, I agree. With my daughter’s I do cover most of it with the Euro pillows, sadly. But I’ve also seen people skip the Euros and just use shorter pillows, or simply kind of “cheat” them down a bit. You’ll block some of it but not as much this way so it might be a better compromise!
Sheila
Hi, this room is beautiful! Would you be so kind as to list the fabric for the lumbar pillows? They just make this beautiful space.
Thanks!
Thanks so much Laura! I would absolutely share the fabric info with you if I knew it! Those were custom made and unfortunately, I don’t remember the name or the brand of the fabric. I’m so sorry I couldn’t be more help!
Sheila
Also, THANKS for the 50% off code for the bamboo bedding. I would never have been able to try them without it and now I’m so excited, I’ve sent the code and info to a friend who is very ecologically minded.
I’m so glad!! And thanks for passing it on!
Sheila
I am so glad you wrote this post! I have been trying to choose a set of new sheets and just can’t decide! I am going with your recommendation and get 50% discount! WIN-WIN. I do wonder though, where do you put the pillows you sleep on? I don’t have room in my closet to store them and I really don’t want to take the shams off every night. Thanks!
Yay!! I’m so glad to hear that Cecilia – those sheets are amazing!!
The pillows we sleep on are behind the Euro pillows. Easy and oh-so-hidden! 😉
Sheila
I have a recommendation on where to put the pillows at night: Be sure you have a trunk or a bench at the foot of your bed and then at night, simply ROLL the top whatever with the pillows rolled in it as you start the path down to the foot of the bed. Just roll the whole thing onto the bench or trunk. Next morning, simply unroll everything back up to the top and it’s a quick straighten to make the bed perfectly and QUICKLY.
Yes!! Such a great tip Rebecca and I do pretty much the same thing!
Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Sheila I love your list of bedding must-haves! I especially like you mentioned the mattress-cover and I 100% agree– it’s disgusting what fills a mattress over time, and a cover really prolongs the life. Also, I’m going to chime in on the question above– do research before getting a mattress professionally cleaned and don’t use a steam-cleaner. The reason why is because of the amount of water that is used– mattresses have a very hard time drying when they soaked to clean them with a steam cleaning method. Unlike furniture where you can stand up the cushions to let them dry easier, its very hard and awkward to find a place to stand a mattress up to dry. Our family owned a professional carpet cleaning company and we used to clean mattresses sometimes– but our method used carbonation in the cleaning products, so very little water was used– mattresses would only take a few hours to dry. Steam cleaning methods can take DAYS for furniture and I wouldn’t want to think about how long it would take for a mattress (especially those thick foam topper ones).
Oh yes that makes sense! Probably why I haven’t heard of anyone doing it, lol! As I mentioned I have vacuumed the entire thing like once a year which is at least something, but I don’t know that I’d deal with cleaning it! But hopefully the protector helps with that!
Thanks for your input Rachel – so appreciate it!
Sheila
xo
The perfect combination of pillows, Sheila! Love all these tips. So beautiful.
Hugs, Jamie
Aww thanks so much Jamie! YOUR bedroom is soo gorgeous!!
Happy Summer my friend! 🙂
Sheila
xo
Great tips, Sheila! I have been thinking of re-doing my bedding and had not thought about keeping the duvet in a neutral color. I like the options it opens up!
I’m so glad you found it helpful Rosalind! And I definitely think solid neutrals are the way to go for the base – and then you can always have fun with lots of color or pattern (if you want) in pillows or a throw!
Thanks so much for stopping by and for taking time to comment – so appreciate it!
Sheila
xo
If you keep a mattress cover on, you shouldn’t have to clean it. To freshen it up, sprinkle baking soda on, let stand for an hour, then vacumn well. I have never heard of cleaning a mattress. The water would soak in and take forever to dry.
This may sound like a silly question, but should one have their mattress professionally cleaned, like they would for their upholstered furniture? That seems like the sensible thing to do as long as the cleaners only use pure products and not chemicals. Thanks Sheila.
That’s a great question Lisa and I don’t see why you couldn’t! I’m sure a good carpet cleaner could do it. I have taken everything off of ours and vacuumed every inch of both the mattress and boxspring, but it’s not something I’ve done regularly. It’s a big job!!
Just beautiful Sheila! Your bed looks cozy and lux! The perfect combo of pillows and blankets. I also love all your tips!
Thanks so much Deb! I can’t do too many pillows as my husband rebels a little, haha!
Sheila
xo