Some things I will never understand. One of them is minimal bedding. Passing up luxurious, decorative bedding isn’t like skipping dessert or putting off a vacation to put more money in savings. In those instances, temporary deprivation brings reward. But why shun extra comfort and style? In bedding, less is less.
I want a bed that feels like a giant marshmallow, when I fall into it at night, and I want it to look gorgeous, too. So, those of you pursuing the monastic model of bedding, you can turn to the crossword puzzle now. The rest of us are going to indulge in the guilty pleasure of talking about how to style a bountiful bed that’s both pretty and plush.
“As the star of the bedroom, beds warrant serious attention,” says Georgia interior designer Elaine Griffin. “Beds occupy the largest amount of visual real estate in a home, so how they look is really important. It’s a place I encourage clients to splurge.”
A beautifully styled bed involves tastefully mixing layers, colors, patterns, shapes and textures all while minding the details. I’ve covered how to select a mattress, pillows and sheets in other columns. Once you create a great base, follow these seven steps to build a bed like a pro.
1. Detail those sheets. When choosing those perfect sheets, don’t neglect the edges. Interesting stitching and trim details, including monograms, on top sheets and pillowcases separate everyday sheets from their classier counterparts. Be sure to put top sheets on the bed right side facing down, so when you turn the top sheet over the blanket (which you will do, right?) the pretty side shows. Griffin gives extra credit to those of us who iron the top 10 inches of a flat sheet and their pillowcases.
2. Lay on the layers. The key to a sumptuous bed lies in its layers. Don’t skimp. After your mattress, mattress pad, fitted and flat sheets, add a quilt or blanket of pure cotton or wool for weight and warmth. Over that lay a duvet with a down (or down alternative) insert or a down-filled comforter. This is the lofty layer that says, “Sink in.”
3. Create a cuff. Once layers are in place, turn the duvet or comforter back 8 to 10 inches to create a band or cuff that lets the underlayers show.
4. Mix pattern and color. If loft and layers add luxury, the interplay of color, pattern and texture adds style. “Color and texture are the two most important tools in our arsenal,” Griffin says. “Unless you’re decorating a college dorm, don’t rely on bed-in-a-bag type products, where all the pieces match.” Break up sets where sheets, shams and duvet covers are all the same print by introducing other colors or patterns. If the main fabric is a botanical print, add a solid-color blanket or shams with a coordinating stripe. If the main fabric is a thin stripe, add a large-scale pattern, plus a solid. Pull your accent color from the bedding or from the room’s walls, rug or table lamps.
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5. Play with pillows. Using your headboard as a backstop, first place your sleep pillows. These can be stacked flat or forward facing. In front of these, prop your decorative pillows. These not only look pretty and finish the bed but also protect the sleep pillows (which you put your face on) from dust and dander. To add height, I like to start with two or three 26-inch square euro shams. In front of those, I like to put two rectangular shams, standard size for full and queen beds, king shams for king-size beds. In front of those, place a smaller, but not too small, single accent pillow. This can match other bed linens, or, because it sits front and center on the bed, the accent pillow can introduce a new texture or color, so long as the color is somewhere else in the room.
6. Fill with feather or foam. Depending on your personal preferences, sleep pillows should have high-quality fill, such as a down-feather blend or, if allergies are an issue, down alternative. To fill decorative pillows, however, opt for polyester inserts. They hold their shape better and cost less. Also, buy inserts two inches larger than the pillow casing. (This is something else I will never understand.)
7. Top it off. You’re not done. “A throw at the foot of the bed is a must,” says Griffin. “This large awkward space needs a chunky knit or faux fur blanket folded or draped across it, ready to pull up for an afternoon nap.” Zzzzzzz.
Marni Jameson is the author of “Downsizing the Family Home” and other books. Reach her at marni@marnijameson.com.