By Bed Threads Linen 25.06.2023

7 Bed Styling Mistakes You Might Be Making

Bed doesn't have that Instagram aesthetic? This might be why.

Have you ever looked at our bedding images and tried to recreate the carefree look at home? Has it not quite worked and you're wondering why? You're not alone. Recreating the effortlessly chic-looking linen bed is easy, but only if you know a few of our simple tips and tricks! And we're going to share them with you.

When it comes to transforming your bedroom into a calming sanctuary, styling plays an important part. The beauty of 100% linen is that it looks best when it's crushed, crinkled and slightly undone – perfect for those days when trying to get your bed to hotel-style perfection just doesn't feel like a good use of your time (i.e. every day).

Below, we're looking at some common "mistakes" many of us make when trying to execute that effortlessly chic look you see on social media, and what to do instead.

Mistake #1: Angling rather than stacking your pillows

Whenever we style a bed, we use four standard pillows, with the pillows stacked on top of each other (not leaning on one another at an angle!) We then 'punch' the middle of each of the top pillows to look like they have just been slept in – this gives that effortlessly-chic effect. We recommend using low-profile pillows made from natural fibres (rather than synthetic) as these retain the ‘punch’.

Mistake #2: Making your bed too neat or smooth

The beauty of linen is its ability to hang and fall naturally, creating a relaxed aesthetic. We like to style the duvet cover and flat sheet with a lot of movement and ripples. Nothing too neat or smooth! The duvet cover is always folded back, with the flat sheet folded back over that.

Mistake #3: Ironing your sheets

We said it before and we'll say it again: linen actually looks better when it's not perfectly ironed and when it's left to fall naturally. If things look too wrinkly for your taste, give your linen a quick steam before you properly make your bed to slightly smooth some of the wrinkles for a more refined finish. You can also use a spray bottle to spritz over the linen to smooth wrinkles.

Mistake #4: Not adding a throw

Whether for added warmth in cold weather or as a light alternative when it heats up, a throw spread over the end of your bed or folded neatly makes a well-styled bed even more stylish. Our 100% French Flax Linen throws are double the weight of our bed linen and come in our most popular colours.

Mistake #5: Not placing colors correctly

We like to style a bed with 1-3 colors. If you're opting for two colours, the stronger colour is placed on top (the duvet cover and top pillowcases), with the softer colour inside (the fitted and flat sheets, and bottom pillowcases).

If you've opted for three colors, the third color is usually the bottom pillowcase only.

Mistake #6: Not upsizing your duvet

You've probably seen this hack in action before without even realising it, as most beds featured in magazines or on Instagram are shot with an oversized duvet. This allows the duvet to hang over the edge of the bed, or even fall to the floor, making the bed look bigger than it actually is.

So, if you have a double bed, consider buying a Queen duvet and duvet cover. If you have a Queen, purchase a King duvet and duvet cover. (Hint: these options are available with our bedding sets.)

Our Queen Special sets include two pillowcases, a Queen fitted sheet and a King duvet cover to cater to this styling solution. Once you're immersed in a beautiful, oversized linen-clad duvet, you'll understand why.

Mistake #7: Choosing the wrong colours

Choosing colours that don't complement your bedroom will leave your space looking confused. To find linen colours that will suit your bedroom, consult your wider interior style at home. How is the rest of your house or apartment styled? And what are you trying to convey through your décor? If your home has a Scandi aesthetic, opt for colourways like White and Oatmeal. If your home is mid-century in style Olive, Rust, Turmeric, Mineral, and Sage will suit perfectly.

If in doubt, add white separates to brighten things up!

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7 Bed Styling Mistakes You Might Be Making

Mistake #1: Angling rather than stacking your pillows