HOW TO MAKE BED

How to Make up a Bed Neatly

Edited by Ben Rubenstein, Lily A, Krystle C., Alison King and 86 others

Making your bed neatly can start your day off on the right foot and can make you feel more clear-headed and organized. If you want to know how to make up a bed, all you have to do is put the sheets on the bed in the right way and decorate with any adornments if you've like to give your bed a special touch. If you want to know how to make a bed neatly in just a few minutes, just follow these easy steps.

EditSteps

Protecting Your Bed

1. 1
   Put a bed ruffle over the box spring (optional). A bed ruffle, also called a valance, will help to keep dust from collecting under the bed while providing a decorative accent. The bed ruffle goes on top of the box spring, covering the box spring and bed frame. It does not require washing as often as sheets, but it should be washed from time to time.
   
   
   
   • Not all beds have or need this. If yours has an external frame that serves this purpose, or if it is a captain's bed or waterbed, skip this step.
2. 2
   Put on the mattress pad (optional). Your mattress pad is a protective covering that goes on top of your mattress. It also adds a slight cushion to the bed. The mattress pad should be fitted for the size of your mattress. Tuck in the top two corners of the mattress pad, and then the bottom two corners.
   
   
   
   • Smooth it out, running your hands outward from the middle, to remove any creases or wrinkles.

Making the Bed

1. 1
   Put the fitted bottom sheet in place. A fitted sheet has an elastic running around the edge that helps keep it flat upon the mattress. Make sure that the sheet matches the size of the mattress, whether its a full, twin, queen, or king-sized mattress, so that it will fit snugly in place. Here's how to put on the fitted sheet:
   
   
   
   • First, pull the sheet over the top two corners of the bed.
   • Next, pull and smooth down the other two corners, pulling the sheet over one bottom corner, and then the other.
   • Continue to smooth down the sheet, and tuck it into the bottom of the mattress, just above the box spring. It should fit neatly if it's the right size.
   • Sometimes, it can be tricky to put on a fitted sheet alone. Get the help of a friend or family member so each of you can tackle two corners at the same time.
2. 2
   Spread the top sheet over the fitted sheet. The top sheet is not fitted but should ideally match the color of the fitted sheet. Spread the sheet evenly across the bed, with the finished side facing down. Let the extra length of the sheet fall evenly over the sides of the bed.
   
   
   
   • The top edge should hit the top of the mattress, and the bottom edge should hang over the end of the bed.
3. 3
   Tuck the end of the top sheet into the mattress. Tuck the bottom of the top sheet into the mattress until it fits snugly between the mattress and the box spring.
   
   
   
4. 4
   Make hospital corners with the bottom corners of the top sheet. Pick up the bottom edge at one bottom corner and hold it out. Tuck in what is left hanging down at the corner, then let the edge fall and tuck it in as well. This will create a vertical fold known as a hospital corner. Repeat this process for the other bottom corner.
   
   
   
   • Tug firmly on the sheet to create a snug and smooth surface.
5. 5
   Tuck the sides of the top sheet into the sides of the mattress. Keep tucking them in until the top sheet smoothly fits under the mattress.
   
   
   
6. 6
   Spread a blanket over the top sheet. Align its long sides with the long side of the mattress. The top end of the blanket should be about 8 to 10 inches from the top of the bed. It should also hang evenly over the sides of the bed.
   
   
   
7. 7
   Create hospital corners with the bottom edges of the blanket. Tuck the bottom corners of the blanket into the mattress, just as you did with the bottom corners of the top sheet. Make sure not to crumple the edges.
   
   
   
8. 8
   Tuck in the blanket completely along both sides of the mattress. Tuck it into both sides until you've created a smooth surface.
   
   
   
9. 9
   Fold the top sheet over the top edge of the blanket. Fold about a foot of the top sheet over the blanket. Now the good side of this sheet is showing. Smooth out the top sheet, and tuck in both sides into the the sides of the mattress.
   
   
   
   • Now you can decide whether you want to tuck in the top corners of the top sheet or just the bottom two. If you frequently use the bed, then just tucking in the two bottom corners will be best because tucking in all four corner will make it difficult to get into the bed. But if the bed is rarely used and is in the guest bedroom, then this may be a good choice.
10. 10
    Put the bedspread over the bed. Make sure that both sides are draped evenly over the bed. You don't need to tuck in the bedspread.
    
    
    
11. 11
    Put two pillows on the bed. Put pillowcases on, then the pillow shams. Fluff the pillows and put them at the top of the bed. The pillows should match in size. If the bed is a king bed, you can even consider putting in three pillows so the space is filled.
    
    
    
    • The pillows should sit at the top of the bed.

Decorating the Bed

1. 1
   Decorate with a warm comforter. Spread the comforter out evenly over the bed. Run your hands through the middle, removing any wrinkles or creases. You don't need to tuck in a comforter -- just let it hang evenly off the sides of the bed.
   
   
   
2. 2
   Decorate with additional pillows. You may only need the two pillows for sleeping, but you can add a few small decorative pillows to give the bed a nice touch. You can add as many as five or six decorative pillows, as long as they match and fit comfortably on the bed.
   
   
   
   • Arrange them over the original pillows, so they create a new row.
3. 3
   Add some stuffed animals. Adding a few stuffed animals can be a cute way to give your bed some personality, especially if you're younger.