AD | Getting home to a made bed is one of life’s little pleasures, but not everyone knows how to recreate the layered look found in all the interiors and home style magazines. If you want to create a layered look for your bed, the good news is it’s easy to get that luxuriously cosy aesthetic that makes you want to dive right in. While it might seem complicated at first glance, you’ll need just a few essential items, as explained in this comprehensive guide. Before we delve into the how-to, let’s understand what exactly makes up the layers of a well-dressed bed.
How to Create a Layered Look for Your Bed
A comfortable and stylish layered bed consists of five essential layers that work together to create that magazine-worthy look you’re after. These layers include:
• Fitted sheet
• Top sheet
• Duvet
• Coverlet
• Pillows / cushions
And that’s really all there is to it – you don’t need anything more complicated to create that perfect layered look for your bed. The style element comes primarily from your choice of duvet cover and bed linen. While your bed frame will play a small role in how effectively you can tuck everything in, these five key layers truly are the foundation of a beautifully made bed. The magic lies in how you combine these elements and the quality of materials you choose.
1. Start with a Fitted Sheet
This foundational layer goes directly over your mattress protector. Fitted sheets feature elastic edges that stretch over your mattress corners, ensuring a snug, wrinkle-free fit that stays in place. You simply can’t beat the crisp, fresh feeling of a newly laundered white fitted sheet.
Tip: you can get wrinkles out by throwing it into a dryer with a damp cloth if you’re not in the mood to tackle it with an iron.
When selecting your fitted sheet, look for a fitted sheet made from premium kinds of cotton, such as Egyptian cotton or high-thread count organic cotton – these materials offer superior comfort and durability.
The sheet should feel wonderfully soft and comfortable against your skin, providing that hotel-quality experience right at home. When it comes to sizing, it’s crucial to match the sheet precisely to your bed dimensions.
If you have a double bed, stick with a double fitted sheet. Trust me, attempting to make a king-size sheet fit a double bed is an exercise in frustration, as I’ve learned through personal experience.
2. Add a Top Sheet
This elegant layer sits beneath your duvet and creates a sophisticated fold-over at the top, revealing a pretty white or coloured edge from the top of the bed that adds a touch of hotel-style luxury.
To achieve this look, begin by laying the top sheet upside down on your bed and pulling it up as far as possible toward the headboard. Take care to securely tuck it in at the foot of the bed but leave the sides loose for now – this will help create that perfect, smooth finish.
When choosing your top sheet, opt for the same high-quality materials as your fitted sheet – Egyptian cotton or high thread count organic cotton will give you that luxurious feel and impressive durability.
While classic white remains a timeless choice that works with any décor, don’t be afraid to experiment with subtle variations like cream or light blue, which can add a gentle touch of colour while maintaining that sophisticated appearance.
3. Add a Duvet
Now comes the centrepiece of your layered bed – the duvet with its cover. Begin by ensuring your duvet is evenly distributed within its cover, smoothing out any lumps or bunching. Position the duvet carefully in the middle of your bed, taking time to measure equal drops on both the left and right sides. This symmetrical placement is crucial for achieving that polished, professional look you’d find in luxury hotels.
The next step involves creating that signature hotel-style fold with your top sheet. Fold the top sheet over the duvet at the top with precision and care. This fold should be crisp and even, creating a clean line across the width of your bed. Ideally, you should have plenty of top sheet length to create this fold, but if you find yourself a bit short, don’t hesitate to adjust the sheet’s position by pulling it slightly higher from the foot of the bed. The key is to achieve a fold that looks intentional and neat, not rushed or makeshift.
Once you’ve perfected the top sheet fold over your duvet, it’s time to secure everything in place. Carefully tuck both the duvet and top sheet into the sides of the bed, working them firmly under the mattress. When tucking, use smooth, deliberate movements to avoid creating unwanted creases or wrinkles.
As a rule, tucking in sheets and duvets gives a neater, more professional finish to your bed-making efforts. This technique not only looks sophisticated but also helps keep everything in place throughout the night.
4. Add a Coverlet
The coverlet adds another dimension to your beautifully layered bed, sitting elegantly at the foot end over the duvet. Unlike the previous layers, this one remains untucked, allowing it to drape naturally. When it comes to choosing your coverlet, the possibilities are endless – you can use anything for a coverlet – a favourite blanket, throw, or dedicated bedspread will serve the purpose beautifully.
For optimal visual impact, I recommend selecting a coverlet with substantial thickness and interesting texture. A chunky knitted coverlet can add wonderful dimensional interest, while a silk option brings luxurious sheen and sophistication.
The key to successful styling lies in creating contrast with your duvet cover. If you’ve opted for a patterned duvet cover, choose a plain coverlet to balance the look. Conversely, if your duvet is solid-coloured, feel free to experiment with a patterned bedspread.
One of the joys of using a coverlet is its versatility – by simply switching it out, you can effortlessly update your bedding style to suit different seasons or occasions.
5. Add Pillows and Cushions
final layer in creating your perfectly styled bed involves arranging your pillows and cushions. While pillows are essential, cushions are optional, but both play crucial roles in achieving that designer look that most interior decorators favour. For a double bed, the ideal arrangement typically involves 2 or 3 pillows per side, carefully positioned to maintain equal height on both sides.
When it comes to pillow arrangement, consider following the interior design principle of layering plain pillows at the base, topped with patterned options. However, if you’re working with matching pillows, this rule becomes flexible. To elevate the overall look, I recommend adding some contrasting cushions over the pillows.
These additional cushions present an opportunity to introduce different patterns, creating visual interest and personality. Experiment with contrasting colours, varied textures, and different materials to build fantastic depth and dimension in your bed’s appearance.
How Would You Create a Layered Look for Your Bed?
Creating a calm and relaxing sleeping space starts with a comfortable, well-made bed, but there’s always room to inject your personal style and adapt the look to suit different moods and seasons.
Now you know these 5 steps to creating a layered bed, how would you style up yours? It’s time to have a go, so have fun, and let me know how you get on in the comments. 🙂
* This is a collaborative post, please see my Disclaimer.
I love the 5 layered look and use it frequently in the winter time when that extra layer is especially welcome. I love your ideas on how to make your bed especially aesthetically pleasing. Thanks for sharing.
Yes, it’s a perfect look for winter, isn’t it? You can’t beat some cosy throws – thank you, Jodie 🙂
I love throws and they do make a big difference in the way the bedroom looks like. Mine is a knitted one as I am very keen on this kind of throws.
We have a few to choose from – including some lighter ones for summer as well as more fleecy ones when it’s cold.
Great tips! This is such a great look and I’d love to try it out sometime in the near future. Thanks for sharing!
It really is, and so versatile too, thank you, Ceri!
This looks great! I am 110% guilty of not making my bed most mornings, I admit it. That being said, I love laying out the guest bed all fancy when we have company coming over. I could definitely see myself making use of this technique there. It always amuses me how the littlest changes like these can have such a HUGE impact on the overall appearance of the space.
We always let our bed air for a bit then make it up again after breakfast. Hate coming back to an unmade bed!
I love layered bed! It looks so luxurious and comfy. I need to get myself a coverlet and some more Pillows, probably a new duvet as well since my current one is far too warm for summer lol. Love these tips and definitely going to put them into use, beds are my favourite.
It really does! Yes, I know what you mean about a summer duvet, although atm we are just using duvet covers minus the duvets! 😂
This is such a great post, and I love the idea of creating a layered look to come back to when you get in from work. I always try to remember to make my bed before I leave the house (unless I’m in a big rush) because it’s such a nicer place to come back to x
Absolutely, it’s such a lovely feeling to know you’ve got a gorgeously comfy, made up bed to come home to!
Love all of these tips! I really love how beds look in magazines but never managed to achieve one. I love the idea of a coverlet on top and pillows, I think that neutral colours can also help a lot! Hope to give this a try asap x
It’s such a stylish look, I was amazed how easy it is to do x
Would really love to try this when I have my dream room in the future! More pillows and cover – love the looks so much x
They are really gorgeous, aren’t they? 😁 x
Creating layered look for your bed makes your bedroom looks like a resort or hotel. I also do some of these tips to give my bed a layered look. But instead of cushions, I used my plushies. Hehehe.
Plushies work too, your bed, your style! 😍
Great post! Thank you for sharing this! I like how these steps are simple but effective! I haven’t got a top sheet but I’m definitely going to get one now!
Thank you – and yes, it’s a simple step but so effective 🙂
I recently purchased like three more pillows or add to my bed and I love the look. It really does change the room. I got would add another layer of sheet.
You can’t beat a cosy mound of pillows, it makes a bed look so inviting.
Oh I’ve been looking for advice on this for WEEKS! Thank you Lisa! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Oh wow, great timing, thank you, Lucy! X
I love a freshly washed and dried sheet; the cloth feels and smells so good and I always find myself sleeping better too. Cotton sheets are my favorite and, when buying sets, I usually get a fitted, top sheet, and pillowcase all in one so I can match colors. A fluffy duvet is a must for me too!
Thanks for sharing; the example photo you use is making hearts in my eyes. <3
Oh yes, line dried bedding has that special feel and fragrance! Great tip about getting a fitted set, Jaya, thank you 🙂
I like to change places of things on my bed to change the layout and style haha. This looks nice and would love to try it.
It’s so easy to make it your own style, isn’t it? 🙂
These beds look so inviting! When I first put new sheets on, my bed has all these layers. After the first night, I don’t tend to put the pillows and cushions back on as I’m in such a hurry in the morning. Someday I hope to have enough time to have a nice looking bed like these every day! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
They really do, don’t they? I know what you mean about morning though, I have to admit I’m the same sometimes 🙂
I like layered look for bad because it always remained me on hotel beds. Thank you for sharing details how create it and these beautiful photos.
http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com
Yes, exactly, hotel beds always look so luxurious, don’t they? 🙂
I love these kinds of looks but at the end of the day I just want to get into bed and not have to deal with layers, haha! As it’s winter we have an extra blanket on top of the doona to keep us and our dog who sleeps at our feet cosy – but it’s always getting messed up or kicked off in the night and constantly needs adjusted each day, a bit of a pain, haha!
Hope your week is off to a good start 🙂
Yes, I know, the layered look isn’t always practical every day! But it does look beautiful, and something I always do for our guest bedroom, and ours as often as I can 🙂
Fab tips and these are beautiful inspirations!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Thank you so much 🙂
Great ideas! I love the layered look on beds, it’s a really fun way to personalise them to your personal style 🙂
mia // https://beautiful-inspiring-creative-life.com/
Thank you – and yes, it is 🙂
I love the look of layered bed, soft and cozy. I just have loads of pillows and good fitted sheets in good quality. Since I spend most of my time on bed I just use fitted sheets. 🙂
Yes, exactly, it’s so luxurious, isn’t it? Glad you agreed, Via!
Thanks for sharing, I don’t like to have a flat sheet under my duvet as I get too hot with it on, I only use just a flat sheet/blanket in the summer, or but an extra blanket on top of my duvet in the winter if I get too cold 🙂
Yes, I guess the layered look is more of a winter one, unless you have an all-seasons duvet, or if we have a heatweave!
These bed look so luxurious and remains me at hotels. Thank you for sharing tips how create them at home.
http://www.exclusivebeautydiary.com
It’s such a lovely, luxurious look isn’t it? 🙂
I love this 5-layered look, but I am often in a rush in the morning so I have no time to make my bed haha
I do want to get a coverlet though!
I know exactly what you mean – but a coverlet hides a multitude of sins 🙂
I love the layered look, especially as we get into the colder months. It just makes your bed look all the more inviting, doesn’t it? I would love to make a chunky knit blanket for the bed for all the cosiness!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
That sounds amazing, Aimsy – I hope you’ll do a blog write up if you do make a blanket! x