The Secret to a Perfect Night’s Sleep: How to Make Your Bed Like a Luxury Hotel
The Secret to a Perfect Night’s Sleep: How to Make Your Bed Like a Luxury Hotel
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. 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?
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. For the highest quality sheets, look for the words Egyptian cotton or Supima on the label.
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.
- 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.
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.
Follow this foolproof formula:
- Place one or two euro shams at the back (depending on bed size).
- Add one or two standard shams in front.
- Top with one decorative pillow and one or two lumbar pillows (based on bed size).
- For king-sized beds: Use three euro shams and three queen-size pillows.
- Finish with three accent pillows (mix shapes for visual interest).
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.
