How to Dress Your Bed for Maximum Effect
Finish off your bed with a beautiful selection of cushions and throws
Lara Sargent
24 May 2015
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
Choosing new bed linen has to be one of my favourite interiors pastimes. For me, it’s a bit like buying a new pair of shoes: with the struggle of selecting the right dress done and dusted, the shoes (or in this case, the duvet cover, cushions and throw) are really the icing on the cake. And just like a fabulous pair of vintage wedges or pretty kitten heels can make or break your outfit, so your pick of bedding – colour, print, material and texture – can add the perfect finishing touch to your boudoir.
Nail your neutrals
If you’re an out-and-out lover of all things neutral – particularly when it comes to the bedroom – then you can still inject masses of style and personality by layering various textures and tones.
This natural linen bed is dressed with a chunky-knit woollen blanket and subtly patterned cushions for the ultimate resting spot.
If you’re an out-and-out lover of all things neutral – particularly when it comes to the bedroom – then you can still inject masses of style and personality by layering various textures and tones.
This natural linen bed is dressed with a chunky-knit woollen blanket and subtly patterned cushions for the ultimate resting spot.
Tie in with artwork
If, like me, you love every colour of the rainbow, and can’t choose between florals, spots and stripes, it can be incredibly difficult to pinpoint the bedding you want.
One design trick is to echo the colours and style of a prominent feature – in this case the abstract artwork – across your bed linen and throws. The pretty geometric print in aqua, lemon and sapphire on this throw is the perfect accompaniment to the wall art and adds a big dose of originality to boot.
If, like me, you love every colour of the rainbow, and can’t choose between florals, spots and stripes, it can be incredibly difficult to pinpoint the bedding you want.
One design trick is to echo the colours and style of a prominent feature – in this case the abstract artwork – across your bed linen and throws. The pretty geometric print in aqua, lemon and sapphire on this throw is the perfect accompaniment to the wall art and adds a big dose of originality to boot.
Dot with colour
Dressing your bed with different cushions and throws can totally transform the look of your entire bedroom. So why not swap and change the look throughout the year, depending on the season, your changing tastes or just because you fancy it?
Stick to plain white bedding as a fail-safe starting point and add in blocks of colour, pattern and texture as you go. Here, burnt orange, lemon and grey create a warm, livable sleeping den and harmonise well with the aubergine bed base and headboard.
Dressing your bed with different cushions and throws can totally transform the look of your entire bedroom. So why not swap and change the look throughout the year, depending on the season, your changing tastes or just because you fancy it?
Stick to plain white bedding as a fail-safe starting point and add in blocks of colour, pattern and texture as you go. Here, burnt orange, lemon and grey create a warm, livable sleeping den and harmonise well with the aubergine bed base and headboard.
White it out
Most of us are inclined to pair all-white walls and flooring with richly coloured linens and bold prints. While such a contrast most definitely works, another option is to saturate a room in the palest shades and go all out on pure white bedding.
Layer with different textures and tones if you want to introduce just a hint of contrast – the quilting in this room adds depth – but embrace the whiteness for a seriously serene look.
Most of us are inclined to pair all-white walls and flooring with richly coloured linens and bold prints. While such a contrast most definitely works, another option is to saturate a room in the palest shades and go all out on pure white bedding.
Layer with different textures and tones if you want to introduce just a hint of contrast – the quilting in this room adds depth – but embrace the whiteness for a seriously serene look.
Fashion a fairy tale
One way to pump up the luxe factor is to pile the bed with cushions in rich fabrics and jewel-like shades.
For a look that’s high on fairy-tale charm, choose velvet bolsters trimmed with fringing, faux fur throws and paisley-print cushions. Then lie back and dream of castles and knights in shining armour…
Browse more fairy-tale boudoirs for glamorous grown-ups
One way to pump up the luxe factor is to pile the bed with cushions in rich fabrics and jewel-like shades.
For a look that’s high on fairy-tale charm, choose velvet bolsters trimmed with fringing, faux fur throws and paisley-print cushions. Then lie back and dream of castles and knights in shining armour…
Browse more fairy-tale boudoirs for glamorous grown-ups
Layer with the palest pastels
I adore old-fashioned nudes and blush tones, so for me this beautiful bedding takes the number one spot.
The key is to pick out a dreamy, washed-out palette in tones of sticking-plaster pink, pale gold, putty and buttermilk and sprinkle liberally across delicate linen sheets, smooth satin eiderdowns and slippery silk pillowcases.
It’s a glamorous look for the 21st century, but never too girlie or saccharine-sweet.
I adore old-fashioned nudes and blush tones, so for me this beautiful bedding takes the number one spot.
The key is to pick out a dreamy, washed-out palette in tones of sticking-plaster pink, pale gold, putty and buttermilk and sprinkle liberally across delicate linen sheets, smooth satin eiderdowns and slippery silk pillowcases.
It’s a glamorous look for the 21st century, but never too girlie or saccharine-sweet.
Freshen up a twin
Citrus yellow is such an on-trend colour for our homes this season and it works brilliantly with soft grey and pristine white.
When it comes to dressing twin beds for a guest room, this trio of colours is neither too feminine nor too masculine, and instead instils a fresh, modern spirit that will put a smile on the face of every visitor.
Citrus yellow is such an on-trend colour for our homes this season and it works brilliantly with soft grey and pristine white.
When it comes to dressing twin beds for a guest room, this trio of colours is neither too feminine nor too masculine, and instead instils a fresh, modern spirit that will put a smile on the face of every visitor.
Go for a vintage vibe
Plain white linen sheets and covers can be spruced up so easily with vintage-print cushions and old-fashioned crocheted blankets.
Scour second-hand shops for pretty offcuts of material and have a bash at making your own cushion covers. Mix and match florals, polka dots and ticking stripes for a laid-back, welcoming look that’s easy to pull off.
Be inspired by children’s vintage-style bedrooms
Plain white linen sheets and covers can be spruced up so easily with vintage-print cushions and old-fashioned crocheted blankets.
Scour second-hand shops for pretty offcuts of material and have a bash at making your own cushion covers. Mix and match florals, polka dots and ticking stripes for a laid-back, welcoming look that’s easy to pull off.
Be inspired by children’s vintage-style bedrooms
Smarten it up
The boutique hotel-style bedroom is still flying high on the interiors radar and it’s easy to see why. The crisp, smart look offers a low-key luxe style that’s easy to live with.
Dress the bed with plain, clean-lined neutrals (think dove grey, pale biscuit and earthy taupe) in a blend of matt satin and Egyptian cotton sheets, pillowcases and covers, and finish off with a merino wool blanket. Don’t forget to channel your inner chamber maid by plumping up the cushions and getting rid of any rumples, for bed-making skills The Ritz would be proud of.
The boutique hotel-style bedroom is still flying high on the interiors radar and it’s easy to see why. The crisp, smart look offers a low-key luxe style that’s easy to live with.
Dress the bed with plain, clean-lined neutrals (think dove grey, pale biscuit and earthy taupe) in a blend of matt satin and Egyptian cotton sheets, pillowcases and covers, and finish off with a merino wool blanket. Don’t forget to channel your inner chamber maid by plumping up the cushions and getting rid of any rumples, for bed-making skills The Ritz would be proud of.
Break the rules
If matchy-matchy style is just a little too stifling for your eclectic tastebuds, then do your own thing and dress your bed with your own unique look.
Clash colour and print with abandon and let vibrant shades nestle up with geometric prints and fancy patterns. The jet-black backdrop is a genius touch that anchors the heady concoction of colour and print with ease.
TELL US…
How do you like dressing your bed? Please share your images and ideas in the Comments below.
If matchy-matchy style is just a little too stifling for your eclectic tastebuds, then do your own thing and dress your bed with your own unique look.
Clash colour and print with abandon and let vibrant shades nestle up with geometric prints and fancy patterns. The jet-black backdrop is a genius touch that anchors the heady concoction of colour and print with ease.
TELL US…
How do you like dressing your bed? Please share your images and ideas in the Comments below.
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I guess if not too many the cushions could go on 'the bedroom chair'? But bed-dressing might be a useful ploy when trying to sell your house.
I've just noticed something else: the number of people who tuck in their duvet. Hotels do this too; I thought that the ease and style of a duvet meant that you didn't have to tuck it in - I'm forever pulling them out in hotels and leaving notes for the housekeeper to not tuck it back in when they re-make the bed. If you want to have it all tucked in, why not go back to sheets and blankets? Love the starry ceiling just above - a real bedroom folly - but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to go through wih it! I just love the idea of lying under the stairs - oops - stars.