UO Home has so many ways to make your bed better, from sheet sets and
cozy comforters (in every size, including Twin XL) to pillows and throws.

Bedding Essentials Guide: How To Make + Style Your Bed


Your bed is more than just a place to sleep at night. It's a sanctuary that sets the tone and ambiance for your entire space. With a great bed-making routine, you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to go each morning. Here’s everything you need to make, style, and layer the perfect bed.

Start With A Good Mattress Pad + Topper


A mattress topper or pad is the foundation that goes on top of your regular mattress for extra comfort and support. Place the topper right on top of your mattress, and make sure it is secured in place. Once you’ve got the mattress topper on, it’s time to move on to bed linens.

Layer Bed Sheets


Layering bed sheets is an art that can elevate the look and feel of your bed. There are many fabrications to choose from for your bed sheets.

Cotton: Mainly due to its breathability and maintainability, cotton is the most common fabric used for bed sheets.

Linen: With an airy, textured feel, linen is a very durable fabric that gets softer over time and wrinkles easily (but in a good way).

Percale: Just like your favorite button-down, percale is crispy, dry, and refreshingly cool. Polyester: Machine washable and relatively resistant to wrinkles, polyester is a great choice for bed sheets.

Sateen: Tightly woven and heavier in weight, sateen exudes luxury and is extremely soft. It is also less prone to wrinkles than percale.

When figuring out how to layer bed sheets, start with a fitted sheet that hugs your mattress, followed by a flat sheet that drapes over the bed.

Add A Fitted Sheet


Fitted sheets are designed to wrap snugly around the mattress, with elastic edges that grip the corners and stop it from becoming untucked if you’re twisting and turning in your sleep. While some people only use a fitted sheet, most bedding sets include both a fitted and flat sheet.

Tuck A Flat Sheet


Next, layer on your flat sheet. If you have the right size for your bed, your flat sheet should cover your fitted sheet completely and hang over the edges of the bed. You can choose if you want to pull it to the top of the mattress or fold it over your duvet cover, comforter, or quilt.

Choose A Duvet Cover, Comforter, Or Quilt


After the bed linens and sheets are taken care of, the top layer of bedding has three main options: a duvet cover, comforter, or quilt. You could even choose more than one option for your bed. Each has unique qualities, and the choice depends on many factors including your personal style, the season, and your budget.

What Is A Duvet Cover?


Duvet covers are usually described as very fluffy and lightweight, and they typically require a removable cover or insert. The cover can be easily swapped out to refresh the look of your bed or to accommodate different seasons. If you’re someone that loves switching up your bedding often, the duvet cover will be the best choice for you.

What Is A Comforter?


Comforters, on the other hand, are a single piece of bedding filled with synthetic materials like polyester or down alternative. They tend to be more affordable than duvets and are often quilted or patterned for added visual interest. Comforters are a practical choice for those who prefer a low-maintenance option.

What Is A Quilt?


Quilts are a traditional choice, featuring a top layer of fabric stitched together with a layer of batting or insulation. Quilts are thinner than comforters and duvet covers, which are perfect for people who sleep hot or don’t want their bedding to feel like too many layers. They are often handmade and can be works of art, with intricate patterns and designs. Quilts offer a cozy, homespun aesthetic and can be used as a top layer or as an additional layer for extra warmth.

Arrange Pillows + Blankets On A Bed


Lastly, pillows and throws are the final touch for the aesthetic appeal and overall comfort of your bed. There are many different pillows and blankets to choose from, each offering unique qualities and benefits.
Throw pillows come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns, perfect for expressing your style and room decor theme. From floral or striped to solid pink or white, the opportunities for throw pillows are endless. If you already have pillows, think about buying new pillow shams to refresh the look of your bed. Pillows are typically placed at the front of the bed, leaning against the headboard. Our biggest tip when arranging pillows on your bed is to consider symmetry and balance. Don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust your pillows until you achieve a look you love.
The final element to your bedding ensemble is throw blankets, which give your bed extra dimension and coziness. From blue cotton throw blankets to black wool options, you’re sure to find one that matches your unique bedroom aesthetic. There are many ways to arrange your throw blankets. For example, you can drape your blanket diagonally for a geometric, unique aesthetic. Or, for a polished and classic look, try laying your blanket straight across the foot of the bed. You could also simply fold your blanket and place it at the foot of your bed for a more structured look.

Making your bed every day is a habit that can help you start your day feeling refreshed, and it’s the first step to setting yourself up for a good night’s rest. With our bedding guide at Urban Outfitters, enjoy your lazy mornings and afternoon naps even more now that you've nailed how to make the coziest bed.