11 Insanely Easy Tips to Layer a Bed like a Designer

This post is all about how to layer a bed like a professional (the easy way). I know making your bed each morning might feel like a chore, but the way you layer your bed can drastically impact how it looks and feels!

Imagine sinking into a bed so cozy and welcoming that it feels like a warm hug at the end of a long day. Perfect bed layering isn’t just about throwing on a couple blankets. The secret to layering is in knowing how to arrange the right pieces for both looks AND comfort.

With these creative bed layering ideas, you’ll be able to set up a bed that not only looks inviting, but feels amazing too!

How to Layer a Bed like a Designer:

1. Starting Off with Your Mattress

Do not underestimate the importance of the foundation – your mattress! Even the best mattress can benefit from the addition of a mattress pad and a mattress topper.

Mattress Pad

A mattress pad will add comfort and protect your mattress from wear and tear over the years. And it adds an extra layer of softness to your bed, making it feel even more luxurious when you crawl into bed!

Mattress Topper

If you’re looking to seriously upgrade your bed, you can also consider adding a mattress topper. A mattress topper sits on top of your mattress (under the mattress pad) and provides even more support and comfort. There are several types of toppers to choose from:

• Memory Foam: Memory foam toppers are excellent for those who need pressure relief as they sleep. They mold to your body’s shape, providing support where you need it most and reducing the pressure on hips and shoulders.
• Featherbed: For those who love a traditional, plush feel, a featherbed topper is the way to go. It feels like sleeping on a cloud and adds an extra level of softness to any mattress.
• Latex: Latex toppers are great for those looking for support with a bit more firmness. They are also naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, which makes them a good option for allergy sufferers.

2. Making It Comfier: Choosing the Best Sheets

Your sheets are arguably the most important because they’re the first thing you touch when you jump into bed, so they need to be comfortable AND look good! There are two different types of sheets you can use:

The Fitted Sheet

The fitted sheet is the base of your bedding. It goes directly on your mattress and has elastic edges to keep it in place. A good fitted sheet means no more fixing your bed in the middle of the night because it slipped off!

The Top Sheet

Next comes the top sheet, also known as the flat sheet. This one lies between you and your blankets. Since it touches your skin directly, you might want to consider a breathable and soft material for this one (keep reading for more on this).

There are lots of great affordable sheet sets you can find on Amazon, but this is the one that I have and love!

3. Choosing the Right Sheet Material

After picking the type of sheets for your bed, the next step is to consider the material. The fabric of your sheets plays a huge role in how comfortable you’ll feel throughout the night! Let’s dive into the different types of sheet materials and see what each one offers:

Cotton Sheets

Cotton is one of the most popular materials for sheets due to its softness and durability. It’s also very breathable, which helps keep you cool during warm nights and warm during cold ones. Cotton sheets come in a variety of weaves, like percale or sateen, each offering a different feel.

Breathable Sheets

Breathable sheets are a must if you tend to get hot when you sleep! The best breathable sheets are typically made of fabrics like bamboo, microfiber, and lightweight cotton blends. These are all designed to allow air to circulate more freely and help to regulate your body temperature throughout the night.

Linen Sheets

Linen is a luxury fabric that’s perfect for sheets, especially during the warmer months! It’s highly breathable and actually becomes even softer with each wash. Linen sheets are known for their natural, lived-in look, which adds a touch of organic elegance to any bedroom.

4. Cozy it Up with a Duvet

Duvets are a great way to add both style and comfort to your bedding setup! And don’t be intimidated by them (like I was for years) – I’m going to break down exact what makes a good duvet set and how you can choose the best options for your comfort and style.

Duvet Covers

A duvet is made up of two parts: a duvet cover, and a duvet insert. The duvet cover is the visible, changeable part of your duvet that you can match with the rest of your bedding. Duvet covers come in a lot of different materials, but a linen duvet cover is a popular choice. It’s durable and easy to wash, and also breathable making it perfect for both warm and cool months!

This is the affordable duvet cover from Amazon that I have and LOVE!

Duvet Inserts

The duvet insert is what goes inside of your duvet cover, and it provides the warmth and comfort. When shopping for a duvet insert, you’ll find a variety of materials to choose from, but a down duvet insert is going to be the most luxurious (and the most expensive). Down is known for being lightweight yet warm, and it’s a great insulator that adjusts to your body temperature, keeping you cozy without overheating. If you’re sensitive to allergens or have a smaller budget, there are great alternative down inserts on the market that mimic the feel of down but are hypoallergenic and affordable.

Duvet Sets

For ease and convenience, you can purchase a duvet set, which typically includes a duvet cover and matching pillow shams. This is a super easy way to make sure you bedding coordinates perfectly without the hassle of mixing and matching individual pieces! Swapping out your duvet set is a simple way to quickly update your bedroom look depending on the season (or your mood).

5. Not Into Duvets? Choose a Comforter Instead

If duvets aren’t your jam, comforters are another simple way to make your bed look great and feel even better! The great thing about them is that they’re just one single piece of bedding, which simplifies the whole process of making your bed. Here’s a few tips on how to pick the perfect comforter to make your bedroom a cozy place you love:

Choose a Down Comforter

A down comforter is by far the coziest option out there. It’s filled with soft feathers and is really lightweight but still warm. It’s the perfect solution for staying toasty on cold nights without feeling like you’re buried under a bunch of heavy blankets. When you’re shopping for one, look for something called “fill power.” The higher the fill power, the fluffier and warmer the comforter will be.

Show Off Your Personal Style

Your comforter doesn’t have to just be a warm to stay warm – this is a fun way you can really show off your own personal style! Comforters come in all sorts of colors, patterns, and textures and are relatively affordable to switch out often. You can pick something that matches your room or use it as a focal point and choose a design that really stands out. It’s all about finding a comforter that says “this is my space” and makes you happy every time you see it.

Alternative Comforters

If feathers make you sneeze, no worries! There are comforters called “alternative comforters” that feels like down but don’t have any feathers. Instead, they’re filled with synthetic stuff that still keeps you warm but doesn’t trigger allergies. These comforters are also easy to wash and keep clean, which is another big plus if you have allergies.

The comforter that you choose can really change how your bedroom feels and how well you sleep. A well-made bed with a great comforter for a top layer makes for the perfect cozy spot to relax and recharge!

6. All About Throw Blankets

Throw blankets are the key to bringing extra warmth and touch of style to your space! They’re perfect for making your bed look more inviting and are great for snuggling under on cooler nights. Here are few simple steps to choosing the right throw blanket.

Picking the Right Look and Feel

When shopping for a throw blanket, think about its texture and how it will compliment your room’s decor. There are lots of materials to choose from, like fleece, wool, and cotton. Wool is great for extra warmth and comfort, while cotton is lighter and good for slightly warmer nights. The color of your throw is also important and can really bring your whole bedroom’s style together!

When You Need the Extra Warmth

For those chilly evenings, your bed blankets can provide that extra layer of warmth that you need. Look for materials like wool and fleece, because they keep heat well and also feel cozy against your skin. Keep in mind the thickness and weight of the blanket too, a heavier throw will keep you warmer. Placing a throw at the end of the bed not only makes your bed look stylish but it also makes it easy to grab when you need some extra warmth during the night!

7. All About Pillows and Shams

Bed pillows and pillow shams are an essential element in making your bed both comfortable AND stylish! They not only provide support for a good night’s sleep but can also add an aesthetic touch to your bedroom decor. Let’s explore the different types of pillows and shams you can choose.

Standard Pillows

Standard pillows are the foundation of your bedding. These are the pillows you lay your head on every night, so choosing high-quality ones is crucial for ensuring you get a restful sleep! Look for pillows that support your sleeping style—whether you’re a side, back, or stomach sleeper. High-quality standard pillows will be well worth the investment upfront as they’ll maintain their shape and provide consistent support over time.

Euro Shams

Euro shams are large square pillow covers that add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any bed. They’re usually placed behind standard pillows to create a layered look. Euro shams are not just decorative.They also provide additional support for reading or watching TV in bed, making them a functional as well as a decorative bedding component!

Pillow Shams

Pillow shams are similar to pillowcases but are usually more decorative, and might come in a matching set with your duvet or comforter. They often have intricate patterns, embroidery, or other embellishments that elevate the look of your bed. High-quality pillow shams can transform the simplest bedding into a beautiful display, making them an essential element for anyone looking to enhance their bedroom’s design.

8. The Next Step: Choosing the Right Pillow Inserts

The key to full, designer looking pillows? High quality pillow inserts! Investing in high quality pillow inserts can really make a difference in how your pillows feel but also in how many years of use you’re able to get out of them. Here are a few popular types of pillow inserts!

Down Inserts

Like a down duvet insert or comforter, down pillow inserts are also filled with feathers making them insanely soft and plush. They are known for their ability to fluff up and hold their shape well, making them the perfect choice if you want that super fluffy, full pillow look that you see in high-end design magazines.

Alternative Inserts

Again, great for allergy sufferers! These inserts are usually made from synthetic fibers, like polyester, which can mimic the feel of down without causing allergies. They’re also durable and keep their shape, making sure your pillows look great for years.

Microfiber Inserts

If comfort, durability, and affordability are priorities for you, microfiber pillow inserts are a great option! Microfiber is a fine synthetic material that is both soft and supportive. These inserts hold their shape well and also provide a good level of comfort. These microfiber pillow inserts from Walmart are my personal favorite!

9. Change Your Bedding with the Seasons

If you live in a climate that changes drastically throughout the year, your bedding should change with the seasons to keep you comfortable all year round. Whether it’s the heat of the summer months or the chill of the cooler months, adjusting your bedding according to the temperature can greatly improve your sleep quality! And it’s really pretty simple to do. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to switch things up to match the weather! (Keep in mind your own personal preference for the level of warmth or coolness you need)

Tips for Warmer Months

The key to a good night’s sleep during the warmer months is keeping your bed as cool and breathable as possible. Choose lightweight, airy fabrics like cotton or linen. These will help wick away moisture and keep you cool! This is the time to put away those heavy blankets and thick comforters and instead use lighter quality or coverlets that still provide comfort without adding extra warmth.

Tips for the Cooler Months

Whether the weather cools down, the key is staying warm at night without piling on so many blankets that you feel weighed down. This is where materials like flannel or fleece come into play, because they provide a lot of warmth without needing multiple layers!

Consider using a thicker comforter or duvet insert, and add a throw blanket at the foot of the bed for some extra warmth that’s easy to pull up on particularly chilly nights.

And in the cooler months, sheets with a lower thread count can actually hold more warmth, making your bedding feel cozier and snugger.

10. Finishing Up: The End of the Bed

Don’t forget about the foot of your bed, or the base of the bed! Interior designers often take time to style this area because it really can transform how the entire room looks and feels. Here are some different ways to style the foot of your bed that make it both useful and part of your perfect bed styling!

Make it Functional

One popular way to style the foot of your bed is by adding a bench. It can be used for sitting, as a place to lay out tomorrow’s clothes, store extra blankets, or keep your favorite books close by. The key is to choose a bench that matches the style of your room to tie everything together beautifully!

Another option is to add a storage ottoman at the foot of your bed. This is decorative but it’s also a practical storage solution. It’s perfect for storing extra pillows, seasonal clothing, or throw blankets. 

Lastly, don’t forget about using this space for decorative baskets or bins. You could place a long, low shelving unit at the base of your bed and use baskets and bins to hold extra slippers, toys, books, whatever you need!

The key to styling the foot of your bed is keeping it functional AND aesthetic.

Ideas for What to Add on the End of Your Bed

The easiest way to style the end of your bed (on top of the duvet or comforter) is by draping a throw blanket across your bed. This makes your bed look more inviting and also keeps a cozy blanket within easy reach for colder nights!

11. Things to Consider for Your Bed Size

Choosing the right bedding and accessories depends a lot on the size of your bed. Whether you have a spacious king bed or a more compact (cozy) queen bed, each one requires a little different planning to make sure your dream space feels balanced and comfortable. Here are few things to consider for each type of bed to make the most out of your sleeping area!

Tips for a King Bed

With a king bed, you have a lot of space to work with, which is great – but it also means you need more bedding to cover it properly without it looking skimpy.

Make sure your sheets, comforters, and blankets and specifically designed for king-sized beds to make sure they fit well and cover the entire bed.

You’ll also need to consider the size of your pillows. Larger beds often look best with more or larger pillows. A good rule of thumb is to layer your decorative pillows like this:

Tips for a Queen Bed

Even though queen beds are slightly smaller than king beds, they still offer plenty of space for comfort and style! For queen beds, it’s important not to overcrowd the surface with too many large pillows or excessively bulky bedding. Choose sheets and pillow shams that fit snugly and complement the size of the bed. When it comes to layering your throw pillows on a queen bed, this is my go-to:

We’ve covered a lot of ground in this post about how to layer your bed like a pro interior decorator!

Making your bed look and feel great is about more than just tossing on a few sheets and pillows. When you carefully choose each layer and piece, you’ll be able to create a space that not only looks amazing but is also your new favorite place to be!

I hope these tips inspire you to experiment with different textures, colors, and bedding choices to find what works best for you.

Here’s to creating your perfect bed, one layer at a time!

This post was all about how to layer a bed.