Bedding is one of my favorite subjects to chat about. I am pretty passionate about making the bed. I make my bed every morning, as soon as I get out of bed. Sheets get pulled up, quilt, duvet fluffed and pillows punched. Best way to start your day with something accomplished. But not all bed making is equal. Sure any bed looks better made. But if you want it fluffy I have a trick for you. If you want it simple and to make a statement, I have your back! 

I asked for you to share the bedding questions you have been dying to have answered. And you all delivered! I got 100+ questions all about bedding. I narrowed them down and will be answering the most common questions today!

First let me share the wonderful store I was at that helped me answer all your questions! I started my design career when I was 15. I rollerbladed over to Gardner Village, a unique shopping experience about 2 miles from my childhood home. My friend was on her bike. We went to the main office (I might have only had socks on) and turned in our application. We ended up turning it into the owner of the village, Angie. She hired me to hand write all their signs in the high-end design store. I worked there for 17 years! I started as the gofer girl and ended up the design store manager and buyer. It was a very successful store. I never would have left if we had not have moved to Connecticut. And Angie is a huge mentor to me. 

Fast forward to moving to Connecticut. Before I left I spent two days giving advice to Layers, the bedding store in Gardner Village. This store is one of my favorite bedding stores. They just needed some tips on making their bed’s have that “jump in and relax look”! I went back the other day and took photos of their store and answered all of my most asked questions on bedding.

Let’s get into your bedding questions! (Make sure to watch the video at the end for even more visual details!)

***Update this store no longer sells online- you could call them to see if they could ship something- go to their website- HERE

Q- How to keep white bedding white? 

A- This is a popular question! I am not a big fan of bleach. I asked Georgia the manager of Layers Bedding what she recommends! She loves Oxyclean White Revive. It will whiten bedding, without the harsh smell or damaging effects of chlorine. Plus it’s safe on colors too. She washed some ivory curtain panels with the Oxyclean White Revive and they came out white! **Update I use Molly’s Suds (toxic free!)

Q- How to make bedding fluffy and cozy?

A- It is all about the the INSERTS-

#1 asked bedding question right here! We all want the bedding you can’t resist jumping into! The way to get this fluffy bedding look is with the right inserts. You do not need a million pillows- just pillows with good inserts. In the photo above we have three euros that are in front of two king shams. Placing the pillows you sleep with behind the euros instantly adds depth and makes the bed look more full. Now the euro shams are each stuffed with different inserts- starting with the insert on the far left is a Down Euro Insert (Best) then center is Angel Hair Euro Insert  (Middle) and last pillow on the right Poly Euro Insert (Good). I actually think the Poly Euro Insert is great. It does require more fluffing to get the poly to separate and fluff up. If money is no issue and you want the best, go with the Down Euro Insert or the Angel Hair Euro Insert  I couldn’t tell a big difference between them. Any option will give you that fluffy pillow look BECAUSE they are a 27″ Euro Fill inside a standard 26″ Euro Sham and they are nice quality.

You can also tell a difference in throw pillows. Above are two cute pillows but one is stuffed with a 22″ down insert inside a 20″ case. The other is stuffed with a very flat 20″ poly insert inside a 20″ pillow case. You will see a higher price point on the down pillow but it FAR worth the bump in price. Or if you buy a pillow that has a poly insert make sure it has a zipper so you can take it right out and replace with down and go at least one size bigger on the insert. 

Q-Where do you start and where to invest?

A- Start with a generous quilt 

Personally I love a basic white quilt as my starting off point. I always have. You might like a light blue. Totally up to you. But I would suggest investing in a quality quilt. I had one for over 7 years. For instance the white quilt below is really similar to the one I have. It is linen and on the high-end scale because of the material and the fact that is is larger than your basic white quilt. Typically the more expensive of a quilt the more generous they are with the fabric so it will reach to the top of middle of your bed rail- hiding the boxspring. Nice quality sheets are another place to start- again I stick with white because they will mix well with anything. I look for natural fibers. 

Q- How many pillows should I do?

A- I LOVE this question, because I can just say “there is no right answer”! It is ALL preference. I will say I do have a rule nothing smaller than a 20″ pillow on a bed. I actually prefer nothing smaller than a 22″ pillow. But in the bed below we have one in the center that is 20″ and it works. And personally I don’t like any more than  6 accent pillows on the bed (8 if you include the ones you sleep with). We came up with 4 different ways to make a bed with different pillow numbers. I REALLY love the option with just one accent pillow. Check it out below…

Bedding Option #1 starting from the back-

• 2 King Pillows you sleep with standing up in the back 
• 3  Euro Shams
• 2 Standard Queen Shams (btw those are $10 each!)
• 1 throw pillow– this is a fun way to add a pop of color or an area you could change out seasonally 
• Base- white quilt with Taupe Duvet Cover  (stuffed with THIS one king insert)

PS- both pinstripe duvet covers and shams are budget friendly! $10 for sham and $59 for king duvet!

Bedding Option #2- Three accent pillows-

Bedding Option #2 starting from the back-

• 2 King Pillows you sleep with standing up in the back 
• 2 Dutch Euros (they are amazing!!)
• 1 Accent Pillow (this is reversible- plain on the back)
• Base- white quilt  with Navy Duvet Cover (stuffed with two of THESE king inserts)

Bedding Option #3- One accent pillow

Bedding Option #3 starting from the back-

• 2 King Pillows you sleep with laying down in the back
• 2 Standard Shams on top of the king shams (both are stuffed the down inserts making them really full) 
• 1 Dutch Euro in the front 
• Base- white quilt  with Navy Duvet Cover (stuffed with two of THESE king inserts)

Bedding Option #4- No Duvet

Bedding Option #4 starting from the back-

• 2 King Pillows you sleep with standing up in the back 
• 2 Dutch Euro
• 1 Accent Pillow (this is reversible- plain on the back)
• Base- white quilt with one oversized throw *see below on oversized throw

Q- What do you use if you get hot, want summer bedding or don’t want to use a duvet at the end?

A- An oversized throw and fluffy pillows

I get that not everyone wants to sleep with a duvet at the end of your bed. You can still have fluffy bedding if your pillows are amazing and you invest in a generous oversized throw. THIS throw is 90″ long and hangs over the sides so nicely. I can’t even handle how much I love it! The trick is how you scrunch up the throw at the end of the bed, making it feel fluffy. Also the pillows are statement pillows. There are two dutch euros in front of two standard down filled king shams with one accent pillow in the front that is 26″. All of the pillow are really full. I also folded down the quilt exposing the sheets to add another layer. 

This shows what not to do- don’t lay the throw completely flat. It doe not feel as full as bunching it together does. And any size throw will not work either. See below… don’t do it.

Q- What do you do with the pillows you don’t sleep with?

A- I pile my pillows in the chair in our bedroom. But really they could go on the floor if you have the space. Because when you pop out of bed each morning make your bed!! Then the pillows will not be an issue! And if you find that you don’t have a spot or they bother you please do what feels best to you. Don’t try to make 6 pillows work- simplify and go with one accent pillow, if you follow our tips you will be just as happy or happier with one. 

I hope that gave you some helpful practical bedding tips to apply. Thank you to Layers Bedding for providing so many awesome pillow and bedding options and for sponsoring this post! If you ever go to Utah or you live in Utah please stop in. You will LOVE it! And tell them I sent you. 

Sources- 

Upholstered Bed (you can call Layers Bedding if you are in Utah to buy locally, they don’t ship large furniture)

Wool Poof at end of the bed

White Quilt (Love the matching Euros in this set HERE)

Inserts-

Down Alternative Microfiber Duvet Insert

Video on Bedding Ideas-

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