8 Frame and Bedding Matchups for a Beautifully Made Bed
Goodbye, sloppy sheets and carelessly tossed throw pillows; hello, bed looks skillfully put together for sweet slumber
Call me crazy, but I like making my bed. Smoothing the sheets, squaring the corners, plumping the pillows — the whole process is a treasured daily ritual. I love crawling into my well-made bed at night after a long day of work. Having the right bedding to complement your bed frame is key to creating the perfect sleep sanctuary. There really are literally hundreds of bed styles and bedding options, so it's easy to get confused with which is the best option for a particular frame. Do you add throw pillows or not? Use a weighted comforter or a crisp coverlet?
With those questions in mind, I put together examples of some common styles and a few that I just think are well assembled. Which combination is right for you?
With those questions in mind, I put together examples of some common styles and a few that I just think are well assembled. Which combination is right for you?
To highlight the beautiful frame of a platform bed, I like a crisp coverlet tucked in all around. A coverlet is different from a duvet because it is a thin, single layer without an insert. Fold the front corner flap under the side corner flap for a perfect square corner.
Bed frame: reclaimed lumber, Four Corners Home
Bed frame: reclaimed lumber, Four Corners Home
If you like to read in bed, watch TV or browse on an electronic device before dosing off, you may want to consider an upholstered headboard.
The bedding is traditional, with a skirt and duvet pulled all the way up to the headboard. "Duvet" refers to the insert inside the duvet cover, and it can be white or patterned. The duvet insert is available in many different weights, from light to heavy.
Decorative pillows add to the glamorous look.
The bedding is traditional, with a skirt and duvet pulled all the way up to the headboard. "Duvet" refers to the insert inside the duvet cover, and it can be white or patterned. The duvet insert is available in many different weights, from light to heavy.
Decorative pillows add to the glamorous look.
On a fourposter bed, I like to see the side stretchers. They're a nice design detail, so I prefer not to hide them with a skirt. This is one of my favorite looks, because it's so versatile. The bed style looks great with a crisp coverlet tucked in to expose the frame and a duvet layered at the foot of the bed for those extra-cold nights.
A canopy bed has a traditional look and provides a cocoon-like sleeping experience. Typically, four curtain panels are added to the corners and can be slid open and closed, creating an adult version of the forts we all enjoyed as kids.
The bedding here includes a skirt and hotel-style duvet pulled all the way up, then slightly turned down. Euro-size pillows are placed in front of the sleeping pillows. They can also be placed behind the sleeping pillows for a cushy backdrop.
See canopy beds in the Products secction
The bedding here includes a skirt and hotel-style duvet pulled all the way up, then slightly turned down. Euro-size pillows are placed in front of the sleeping pillows. They can also be placed behind the sleeping pillows for a cushy backdrop.
See canopy beds in the Products secction
A daybed usually has a side orientation, meaning the long side of the mattress faces forward. Daybeds are typically assembled to double as seating and occasional beds. This daybed was an existing piece of furniture refurbished and painted for this room.
I like a fitted coverlet tucked in for a nice, clean look. Here is your chance to load up on throw pillows. Include a throw blanket draped on one side for the ultimate napping spot.
Browse daybed designs
I like a fitted coverlet tucked in for a nice, clean look. Here is your chance to load up on throw pillows. Include a throw blanket draped on one side for the ultimate napping spot.
Browse daybed designs
Take advantage of a corner placement by adding a return to an upholstered headboard. Corner bed placement can be tricky, because making the bed is difficult. This custom bed frame with a side return allows for finger space between the wall and bedding for easier access.
Consider a crisp, pleated skirt to keep the look simple. This is my favorite type of skirt, with simple pleats at the corners and one pleat in the center. The absence of pillows adds to the paired-down vibe.
See how to create a corner headboard
Consider a crisp, pleated skirt to keep the look simple. This is my favorite type of skirt, with simple pleats at the corners and one pleat in the center. The absence of pillows adds to the paired-down vibe.
See how to create a corner headboard
A bed with a footboard provides a unique opportunity for furniture placement. Here a footboard with exaggerated height creates a backdrop for a petite desk.
When I have a bed with a footboard, I usually make the bedding a little shorter in front to so the top layer doesn’t bunch up.
More: The pros and cons of making your bed
When I have a bed with a footboard, I usually make the bedding a little shorter in front to so the top layer doesn’t bunch up.
More: The pros and cons of making your bed
I like this particular minimalist combination of frame and bedding, because it's all styled to showcase the beautiful headboard. Whenever you have a great design detail on your headboard, consider dressing down the bedding. This is a custom piece designer Kristina Wolf had made for a client.
A simple blanket tucked all around frames this bed perfectly. Notice there are no throw pillows, just smoothed sleeping pillows and a cozy blanket draped at the foot of the bed for a simple look that lets the headboard become a piece of art.