The Art of the Finely Made Bed

As I have shared on this blog before, some of my work includes home staging projects. I work predominantly on vacant properties. One of the main rooms I focus on for my staging projects is the master bedroom- the person buying the home is usually the person (or persons) who will be sleeping in the master bedroom so that is a big impression room. When they walk into the master bedroom I want them to say "wow!" and one of the most effective ways to get that reaction is by enticing them with the bed. 

Source: bhg.com via Joanne on Pinterest

So what makes a bed snuggle-worthy? As with good fashion and good interior design, the secret to a swoon-worthy bed is in the layers.

First you need the basics: a good box spring and a good mattress. I didn't have the best experience with a pillow-top mattress (with a 6'4" husband- they just don't seem to hold up or be firm enough in our experience.) What we do in our house is get a great supportive mattress and then invest in a great mattress topper usually of the feathery kind.

Gusseted Feather Bed with Down Pillow Top.....Yum!

For the box spring, you'll need to decide on whether you'd like a bed skirt or a box spring cover. This is just a style preference, sometimes dictated by the bed frame you have. In a sleigh bed or a platform style bed, a bed skirt wouldn't work. In that case you should get yourself a box spring cover so the bed looks nicely tailored. I like the one here with the diamond quilting:

Pinzon Signature Diamond Matelasse King Boxspring Cover, White

Now that you have the underpinnings of the bed in place, you move on to the next layer: the sheets. I definitely think you should buy the best sheets you can afford: one fitted and two flat. Don't be fooled by thread count, though. You can have a high thread-count but a cheaper quality of cotton and the sheet won't feel as soft as a lower thread-count of a high quality cotton. Trust your touch (or if you are ordering on-line read the reviews.)

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Next you need to get yourself a nifty blanket. I don't recommend anything too heavy because it is all about layering to keep you warm and give you options so you can regulate how much coverage you have. I like to get a lightweight blanket like the one below and nestle it in between my two flat sheets.

Cotton Comfort Blanket

You may have seen this done in hotels- it keeps the blanket from slipping and shifting. Here is how you've made the bed so far:

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On the mattress:

• Mattress Topper
• Fitted Sheet
• Flat Sheet
• Blanket 
• Second Flat Sheet

Now for the dressing. When dressing a bed for staging, I like to invest in both a comforter set and a coverlet set. I lay the coverlet over the bed and tuck it in all around the bed with the sheets and blanket so your mattress is wrapped all snug. (I can't say I have perfected those hospital corners but it is a process...) I then fold the top third down and re-tuck so the bed looks like a little wrapping dumpling.

Then I like to lay the comforter (folded into thirds) across the foot of the bed.

Source: alamodemaven.com via Joanne on Pinterest

Source: goo.gl via Leigh on Pinterest

You could do the reverse and use the comforter on the bed and fold the coverlet in thirds on the foot of the bed. That is a matter of preference. Here is an example of that technique:

Source: bit.ly via odelia on Pinterest

The idea behind using both a comforter and a coverlet set is that you have the opportunity to mix patterns, colors, textures, etc. You can then use all four pillow shams that come with the sets and have a coordinated look on top. Here are a few more of my favorite beds on Pinterest:

Source: marcusdesigninc.blogspot.ca via Joanne on Pinterest

Source: splendidsass.blogspot.com via Joanne on Pinterest

Source: jessicajpackard.com via Joanne on Pinterest

As for pillow arrangements, there are a wide variety of options. I love to mix up what I use depending on the style of the room, colors and patterns. I did find this nifty guide to pillow arrangements on Pinterest from Marissa Waddell Interiors and thought is would be great to share!

Original Source: Marissa Waddell Interiors

Source: restoredstyle.com via Joanne on Pinterest

What are your tips for the perfect bed? Anyone know how to do those nifty hospital corners? I am always looking to learn....Happy Decorating and Happy Sleeping!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Linen Chest who had the wonderful idea of a post on bedding. The ideas, thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.