Somehow just making the bed brightens my bedroom. I can have everything picked up but the room still looks messy with a disheveled bed.
I realize there are days when just flinging the comforter over the sheets will have to do. I get that because it happens at my house, too.
But during spring cleaning, I want to wash all the linens and setup the beds correctly. To get the same look each day, I follow these 7 steps to making a bed.
Step 1: Bed Skirt
For the master bedroom, we place a bed skirt on the box spring to keep dust from collecting under the bed and to hide the contents under our bed. Since the bed skirt gets dusty, I strip the bed completely and wash all the linens including the bed skirt.
When time to replace, I lay the bed skirt out on the box spring with the ruffle falling on the left, bottom, and right of the bed. The straight edge lays across the top of the bed by the headboard.
Step 2: Flip the Mattress
If your mattress needs flipping like ours, I get help when putting the bed back together. With the mattress in place, I check the bed skirt for alignment and make any adjustments. I like to keep the bed skirt even all the way around the bed.
Step 3: Mattress Cover/Pad
Mattress Cover
At one time we placed a plastic mattress cover on the mattress. However, the bed crinkled when we turned over and stayed warm. The heat would be fine during the winter, but during the summer months, the bed was uncomfortable. So, I took the mattress cover off.
Mattress Pad
To protect our mattress, we place a quilted mattress pad over the mattress. After washing, I place the pad on the mattress using the “X” pattern.
The “X” pattern: Start at the top of one corner and then stretch the pad to the opposite bottom. Then I repeat on the other side.
By working in an “X” pattern, the pad does not slip off the mattress. Of course, when I have help, the task goes quicker.
Step 4: Fitted Sheet
When working alone, I work in the “X” pattern. The sheet stays in place without slipping off the mattress pad.
Step 5: Cover Sheet
I place the wide hem of the cover sheet at the top of the bed with the “good” side facing down. I then fold the top down a few inches. Making sure that the sheet is even on both sides, I then tuck the sheets under the foot of the bed.
TIP: If you have a tight fit or newly polished nails, then consider using a wooden spoon to tuck in the sheets.
If you want to make hospital corners, here is a great pictorial post for that angled look.
Step 6: Comforter
During the winter, we sometimes keep a blanket over the fitted sheet, but usually just our comforter lies on top. When adding to the layers of the bed, I try to keep the comforter even on both sides and cover the sheets. If the cover sheet is hanging down, then I get the wooden spoon or just tuck the sheet under the mattress.
Step 7: Pillows
When placing the pillows into the pillowcases, I prefer to insert them tag-side first. This little trick saves me time tucking the tag in when making the beds in the morning.
I also place the pillows that go in the shams inside pillow protectors. These plastic sleeves protect the pillows which keeps them in good shape for a long time.
With the linens washed and placed on the bed, making the bed only takes a few minutes. By working on one side and then moving to the other side, I can make our bed in about 2 minutes. But if the sheets are falling off the mattress cover and rolled into a ball, then making the bed will take more time.
In using time wisely, I concentrate on setting up the bed to save time while making the beds most mornings. 😉 Happy spring cleaning!
Question: What other tips do you have for using time wisely while making your bed?