Styling a Bed 101: How to Make Every Bed in Your Home More Inviting

Seen above is the master bedroom from a chateau we designed in University Park, Dallas.

Although there are dozens of ways to style a bed, some methods are more tried-and-true than others. If you’re looking for a way to refresh your bedding without committing a style faux-paus, you’ll want to take a look at these guidelines. In this article, I’ll cover classic formulas for making a bed as well as the most popular colors, patterns, and materials for bedding.

Foolproof Formulas for Making a Bed

The four standard size pillows in the back and smaller decorative pillow up front are just the right proportion for this queen bed.

The number and size of the pillows you should use depends on the size of your bed.

For a queen bed, you’ll need: two queen-size pillows, two sham pillows, and an accent pillow between 22 and 26 inches. For a king bed, you’ll want to use the following pillow formula: two king-size pillows, three king-sized sham pillows, and an accent pillow between 24 and 26 inches.

The stylistically safest way to arrange these is to put the pillow shams in back, your sleeping pillows in the middle, and then your accent pillows in front. Here are some alternative formulas for beds that are also very balanced:

• Four sleeping pillows in back, one lumbar pillow in front

• ·Two sleeping pillows in back, one lumbar, and one accent pillow in front

• Four sleeping pillows and two to three differently shaped and sized accent pillows in front

If you have a pretty headboard, you may want to go with fewer pillows to show it off. For lumbar pillows, consider placing a round decorative pillow in front; it’ll contrast nicely with the rectangular shape behind it.

We made sure to use lumbar pillows here so that the hand-blocked pattern on the upholstered headboard would be visible.

Duvet and Sheet Tips

Top sheets should be put in finished side down so that the sleeper can enjoy the soft texture. This way, the finished side will also be visible when you fold the banding back.

When you fold your duvet, I recommend folding it in half, and then pulling it back towards you into thirds, past the rows of pillows. Pulling it back gives the pillows more “breathing room” and creates more depth. Regardless of bed size, any blanket or quilt you put on the bed needs to be long enough that both ends could drape off the sides.

Here, the grey quilted coverlet is folded back to expose white sheets, giving more depth to the bed in this Dallas bedroom.

Choose Bedding Materials Wisely

Since the bed is the main attraction in any bedroom, it makes sense to prioritize it in your budget. Look for the highest quality bedding you can afford. That said, there is no need to break the bank on your next mattress; a good mattress topper can make even the most uncomfortable mattresses feel great. Make sure to get a mattress cover too. It helps you get the most longevity out of your mattress.

Many people change their bedding with the seasons. Percale sheets are nice and cool in the summer, flannels will keep you warm in the winter, and linen is a good in-between material for both spring and fall. Its hollow fibers trap the optimal amount of body heat to keep you warm at night while also being soft and supple.

Color and Pattern Combinations You Can’t Go Wrong With

All-white bedding is popular because it promotes a feeling of relaxation. Even when your duvet and pillows are colorful, it’s strongly recommended to choose white sheets and sleeping pillows. The white pillows and folded-down top sheet (if visible) will help break up the areas of color and give the eye a place to rest. Blue is probably the next most popular color scheme for bedding. While white is elegant and refined, blue has more of a casual and coastal feel.

White and blue is a classic color combination. It can instantly give bedding a refreshing and uplifting feel.

Love patterns? Make sure to break up the patterns in your bedding with some solid colors too so that the bedding is not too “busy.” To unite different patterns, make sure both patterns share at least one color. If you’re using a subtle tone-on-tone look for your colors and patterns, you’ll need to go in the opposite direction and introduce contrast with a variety of textures.

The busy patterns on the curtains and decorative pillow in this bedroom are balanced out by the neutral bedding.

A beautifully made bed makes a world of difference for the bedroom. Regardless of whether you want an upscale or a casual look, combining the right patterns, fabrics and colors will help you create a look that makes you (or your guest) want to dive right in.

In this master bedroom, you can see an example of a heavily-patterned, tone-on-tone bedding set.

Could the bedding sets in your home use a refresh this year? Consider bringing in an interior designer to give your bedrooms that extra ‘wow’ factor. To schedule a free consultation with Chambers Interiors, call our Dallas office at 214-651-7665 or send an email to info@chambersinteriors.com.

RELATED ARTICLES:

• Designing a Luxury Guest Bedroom

• Choosing the Perfect Patterns

• How to Use Rhythm and Harmony to Design Great Rooms

Designing a Luxury Guest Bedroom

Adding ottomans to the end of this bed gives guests another place to set their bags or fasten their shoes.

Do you plan to host your friends or family this year, but feel like your guest bedroom could use an update? With the right look and the right shopping list, you can recreate the feel of a luxury hotel in your own home. To update an existing bedroom, here are some guidelines for achieving the most comfortable experience:

It’s not uncommon for old, tired bedding sets to be relegated to the guest bedroom. Consider investing in new sheets with a high thread-count. If your mattress is uncomfortable or lumpy, you can put on a memory foam topper or mattress pad to make it feel like new. A thick area rug under the bed will give guests something soft to step on when they rise for the day, especially if you have hardwood floors.

Although this guest bathroom has many different patterns, the cool white-and-gray color scheme helps it feel calming rather than busy.

Sooner or later, most homeowners are tempted to use their guest bedroom closets for overflow storage. If you do, don’t forget to make space for your guests’ things before they arrive. When sheets and towels have been left undisturbed for a long time, they may develop a slight musty smell. Change the sheets and pillowcases, and wash and dry the towels in the bathroom too.

Your room should be well-lit so guests can comfortably read. However, you’ll also want it to be as dark as possible at night so guests can get a good night’s sleep. To achieve this, you can either install blackout curtains or leave a sleep mask on the bedside table.

Just because you don’t have a designated guest bedroom doesn’t mean you can’t create a restful guest space. An attic can be a perfectly good guest bedroom: if your ceiling is sloped, make sure to choose furniture that sits low to the floor to make the ceiling seem taller. To repurpose your home office as a guest bedroom, add a daybed, or include a full-sized bed that is partitioned off with a curtain. Even if you do have a guest bedroom, consider adding a work desk anyway. A small desk, lamp, and chair give your room a “hotel” feel.

Pictured is a seating area from a guest bedroom we designed. With the drink table on one side and a pharmacy lamp on the other, it makes an excellent reading corner.

If you’re designing a guest bedroom from scratch, here are some additional points to consider:

Think ahead about who you’d like to invite over. Will you be hosting couples, or family members with children? Make sure you can accommodate their storage needs and sleeping arrangements.

If you anticipate having families with children over, or a pair of single friends, you’ll probably want to fit in twin beds rather than a single queen or king-size bed. Another consideration: will you be allowing guests to bring a pet? If so, keeping food and water dishes and a pet bed on hand is a thoughtful extra touch.

If you can, include at least one comfortable sitting area or reading nook. Guests will appreciate having a place to retreat to and relax besides the bed that isn’t in a communal living space. Padded benches at the end of the bed are another option: they add a place for guests to sit and tie their shoes or set down their bags.

Guest bedrooms should be as self-contained as possible. Include a TV and full-length mirror if you can. For the ultimate in luxury, look into having heated floors installed in the guest bathroom.

Having a landline phone on the bedside table is helpful for guests when their cell phones are low on battery, or when you live in a remote area with spotty cell phone service. Include some books (preferably light reading) or recently published magazines on the bedside table too. Some people have trouble sleeping in unfamiliar beds, and those guests will appreciate having the reading material available. Your bedside table lamp should also be bright enough to read by.

Of course, the best hotel rooms are not only comfortable but tastefully designed. You’ll want yours to be a beautiful room that guests remember, too. A distinctive or unusual headboard is one way to make a statement. Decorative pillows, rugs, and throw blankets are also a good opportunity to add a burst of color.

The fabric on the curtains you see in this Preston Hollow guest bedroom originally belonged to the client’s mother. The purple, apple green, and black in the curtains was a challenging color scheme for us to work with, but ultimately lead us to create a unique result.

Other ways to add personality to your guest bedroom include decorating the wall with a gallery of artwork, choosing a colorful wallpaper, or picking a theme for the room (nautical is a popular theme for guest rooms). For an extra luxurious feel, outfit your window treatments with rope tiebacks or simple valances. When it comes to color schemes for guest bedrooms, you can either go light and bright for a clean and refreshing look, or dark for a cozy, cave-like feel. To design a romantic bedroom, choose deep, rich colors.

The key to being a great host is to anticipate your guest’s needs before they do. Here is a checklist of items to include that help you go the extra mile:

·         Bathrobe, slippers

·         Water bottle and drinking glasses

·         Fresh flowers

·         Luggage rack

·         Pen and paper

·         Books and magazines

·         Note with your Wi-Fi password

·         Small clock (make sure it doesn’t tick loudly)

·         Hair dryer, travel-size toiletries

·         Snacks (such as a bowl of fruit)

·         Charging station for electronic devices

·         Coffee pot

·         Ironing board and iron

When your bedroom is close to complete, stay a night to test it out. Did you sleep as comfortably as you would in your master bed? Were you missing anything?

Inviting guests into your home gives them a glimpse into your own lifestyle. If you keep these design tips in mind, your guests will not only enjoy their stay, but admire your great taste too.

If you could use a professional touch to help your guest bedroom go the extra mile, consider hiring an interior designer. To schedule a free consultation with us, call our Dallas office at 214-651-7665 or send an email to info@chambersinteriors.com.

Related Articles:

• How to Use Rhythm and Harmony to Design Great Rooms

• The Best Ways to Display Your Art Collection

• Why Your Rug Might Be the Most Important Decorating Choice Your Make