Rituals: How to make the perfect bed
This habit kickstarts the day and rewards you at the end of it
Ever wish you could make your bed look like the ones you only see in hotels?
You can, and I’ll show you how.
Every morning, within an hour or so of waking up, I make my bed look as inviting and comfy as the ones I’ve seen during my travels.
Doing so makes me feel like I’m doing something nice for myself, and it’s a daily habit that doubles as a little morning achievement.
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It also makes me feel “house proud,” even if I’ve only had my cup of coffee so far that morning.
I'm pretty particular about how to make my bed – I want it looking as smooth and pretty as fondant icing on a cake.
A comfy bed is also just one of the many things I do to attempt a perfect night of sleep (the rest I’ll discuss in a future newsletter).
Tim Ferriss lists making his bed as 1 of 5 “Morning Rituals That Help Me Win the Day.”
He recalls a 2011 visit to a Buddhist monastery when a monk told him to start this daily practice to encourage grounding oneself.
And of course, he cites how members in the military also adopt this practice, from a speech by Naval Admiral William McRaven:
If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter.
So here are my tips on how to make the perfect bed.
1. Abandon your flat sheet
Ferriss’s approach is a bit simpler than mine, but I’ve also adopted a few tactics that simplify bed making.
First of all, I abandoned the flat sheet.
Most American bedsheet bundles include a standard flat and fitted sheet, and two pillowcases.
The flat sheet is intended to cover your body, under a comforter, but I find it fussy and unnecessary.
Instead, you can simply swap out and regularly wash a duvet cover. This gives me more options for different looks, too.
Most European and especially Scandinavian cultures would agree and don’t incorporate the use of a flat sheet.
If you’re a hot sleeper, then a down-filled summer duvet and duvet cover are all you need, and you can swap lighter or heavier duvets by season.
Protip: For hot sleepers, try sateen, percale, or high thread count (500+ thread count) cotton sheets that feel soft and silky, and get smoother with every wash.
These may be pricier, but if you’re serious about sleep, then high quality sheets are worth the investment and will last regular washing over a very long time.
2. Remove pillows, spread and align your duvet
If the pillows were scattered while sleeping, then remove them from the bed.
If you’re sleeping alone and the other side of the bed is untouched, then leave them as-is.
You’ll want to prepare your canvas for a perfect looking bed, and it’s hard to get the duvet looking right with heavy pillows in the way (trust me, I’ve tried).
Now, align your duvet so that it’s evenly distributed across all four corners of your bed.
3. Tuck in your duvet at the foot of the bed
You don’t have to tuck in all sides of the bed, just at the foot of the bed.
4. Pull and tighten your duvet across the bed
Protip: Press your duvet covers and pillowcases
If your budget allows, then have your linens professionally laundered and/or pressed.
One way to cut the cost of this service is to wash your linens yourself and then take them to the dry cleaner just for pressing.
This helps to achieve that perfectly pressed fondant-looking duvet cover effect, without you doing the tedious work of ironing a massive duvet cover at home by yourself.
You’re almost there. Now go around your bed and adjust your duvet so the surface is taut.
5. Add pillows
I have four pillows on my bed, ranging in support and firmness, and pillowcase material.
Two are usually encased in “shams” that match the duvet cover, and the other two are ones I rest my head on at night, usually in silk pillowcases like these, because they claim to be better for your hair and skin.
And because, options.
6. Feeling extra? Add throw and decorative pillows
You could stop at step 5 and have a beautifully made bed.
Or you can also add decorative pillows to zhuzh things up.
Your choice, no right or wrong or limit to your creativity here.
That’s it! Am I missing any cool hack or special bed making secret?
If so, then please reply or comment with your picture and/or your tip.
“Oh, and did I mention, she makes a cracking good bed”
— Jude Law, Alfie
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Until next time,
Shindy
On Instagram + TikTok
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