Make up a Bed Neatly

You don't have to be a perfectionist to keep a tidy bed. Your bed will look nice, stay clean, and be the place you would like to sleep. Putting it all together neatly at first will even make daily bed-making easier! 

Steps

 * 1) Start at the bottom with a bed ruffle. A bed ruffle, also called a valance will help to keep dust from collecting under the bed while providing a decorative accent. The bed ruffle goes on top of the box spring, covering the box spring and bed frame.  It does not require washing as often as sheets.
 * 2) [[Image:MakeABedNeatly1.jpg|200px|right]]Put on the mattress pad. Your mattress pad is a protective covering that goes on over your mattress.  Smooth it out, running your hands outward from the middle to remove any creases or wrinkles.
 * 3) Put the fitted bottom sheet in place. Pull the fitted bottom sheet elastic tightly and evenly over the mattress corners. Smooth from the center, then tucking under the sides.
 * 4) [[Image:MakeABedNeatly3.jpg|200px|right]]Add the top sheet. Place the wide hem of the sheet at the top with the good side of the sheet facing down. Spread it out evenly across the bed, allowing any extra length to fall at the bottom edge. Tuck in the bottom edge and make hospital corners: Pick up the side edge at the bottom corner and hold it out. Tuck in what is left hanging down at the corner, then let the edge fall and tuck it in as well. Repeat for the other bottom corner.[[Image:MakeABedNeatly9.jpg|200px|right]]
 * 5) Put blanket over the sheets. Place blanket right side up with the top of the blanket at the point where you turn down the top sheet - about 8 inches from the top of the bed. Tuck in the bottom edge and make hospital corners there. Fold down the top sheet over the top edge of the blanket. Now the good side of the sheet is showing. Tuck in the entire side by the wall. If you wish to keep the covers tight or if they would otherwise hang out below the comforter or bedspread, tuck in the other side also.
 * 6) Decorate with a warm comforter. Spread the comforter out evenly over the bed. Run your hands through the middle, removing any wrinkles or creases.
 * 7) Don't forget the pillows. Put pillow cases on, then pillow shams. You can take off the sham to go to sleep. This will save the shams from needing to be laundered every week. Fluff out the pillows and place them at the top of the bed.There you have it! A perfectly made bed.
 * 8) [[Image:MakeABedNeatly6.jpg|200px|right]]

Tips

 * Under covers such as mattress pads and pillow shams will help protect your bed and pillows so they last longer. In return they also protect you from allergens and asthma-inducing particles such as dust that might collect there.
 * Use sheets that are large enough that they won't come untucked and pull out while you are sleeping. This makes the bed more comfortable to sleep in and easier to make up again the next morning.
 * Tuck in sheets and blankets snugly and smoothly, removing any creases or wrinkles. Folds are both uncomfortable and unsightly.
 * Bring the bottom edge of the flat sheet just to the edge of the mattress (with nothing to tuck). This gives you more fabric to tuck in at the top, for a better fit where it is most needed.
 * If you are using nearly-square, king-size sheets, and cannot determine which edges are sides versus top/bottom, take a few minutes one time to measure each edge, and make the shorter-length edges the top/bottom. Make a small, discrete mark on the newly-determined bottom edge with a permanent marker, since that is the edge which should be tucked-in and will not be seen. Alternatively, if the sheet has hemmed and unhemmed edges, make the hemmed edges the top/bottom and the unhemmed edges the sides.
 * Placing the flat sheet with the printed side (or the smooth side of the hem on a solid-colored sheet) down allows the hemmed top edge to be folded over the blanket or comforter with the rough edge away from the sleeper's face. It also provides a prettier bed that allows both sides of printed sheets to appear when the bed is turned back for entry.

Warnings

 * Think before giving up on that second sheet. The practice of using only a comforter or duvet without a top sheet makes daily bed-making a bit simpler, but that sheet serves other purposes: protecting the sleeper's skin from rough blankets and covers, keeping blankets and comforters cleaner, and adding a little extra layer of warmth. It's a lot easier to regularly wash a sheet than it is to wash blankets and comforters, and the covers last longer when they are kept clean and laundered less.

Things You'll Need

 * Bed with box springs and mattress
 * Dust ruffle/valance
 * Waterproof sheet directly over the mattress for a young child's bed
 * Mattress pad and under-case pillow covers
 * Linens - Bottom sheet, top sheet, pillowcases
 * Covers - Blankets, quilts, or comforter/duvet
 * Day cover/bedspread
 * Pillows and decorative pillows

Related Tips and Steps

 * How to Put Sheets on the Bed Wet
 * How to Make a Hospital Corner
 * How to Repair a Sagging or Deflated Aero Air Bed
 * How to Clean Your Room in 10 Minutes
 * How to Change a Duvet Cover
 * How to Convince Your Parents to Give You a Later Curfew