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Have you ever seen a bed in a designer showroom like Pottery Barn or Serena and Lily and wished you could recreate it yourself? You can! Even if you’re on a budget, it’s easily achievable with these simple steps.
In this post, you’ll find the best tips for layering your bed like a designer in an easy to read step-by-step guide. We’ll use pieces you can purchase from retailers like Amazon and Etsy, or repurpose from within your home for the proper bedding layers.
How to Style a Bed Using Layers
I have had so much fun styling this bed in my guest room! I knew from the start I wanted it to have a welcoming and cozy feel while still matching the rest of my grandmillennial inspired home.
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I will walk you through exactly what I used, where I purchased everything, what kind of materials to look for, and how to recreate this look in your home for a good night’s sleep.
1. Quality Sheet Sets
Starting with a quality fitted sheet set is a no-brainer. This is the first step to your bedding style! Keep in mind the design of the duvet cover you’ll be using. If it’s a simple white or solid color, you can get away with details like block prints, scallops, and textured prints on the top sheet. If your duvet cover already makes a splash, keep the sheet set simple.
For this layered bed, crisp, clean high-quality sheets with pretty blue scalloped edges were perfect. I have the same set of breathable sheets in my master bedroom, too!
These sheets are the softest you’ll find. The way I have the flat sheet folded makes it look like it’s part of the duvet cover on the top layer which I love. You’ll see the pop of color displayed without it being too much.
2. Duvet Inserts with Covers
Next up? Duvet inserts and covers! This item will be the main focal point, so it’s important that you love the way it looks.
Duvet inserts are an important aspect of making your bed look like it’s out of a designer catalog. The secret is using an oversized insert. For example, a king insert in a queen cover, or a cal king insert in a king cover. Or, two of the same inserts always work. It’s up to your own personal preference.
I was previously gifted this bamboo cooling duvet insert from Cariloha so I am currently using a Queen insert which is why mine doesn’t look as full and fluffy.
I have used this affordable Amazon brand and know it is great quality. Their low prices made it more attainable to purchase two inserts rather than one larger oversized one from a designer brand.
I like using a white duvet cover because it makes the rest of the bed (and the room) easier to style. You don’t need to invest too much in a duvet cover, but I have found that the designer brands are more crisp and less wrinkly.
The duvet cover I have from Amazon is 100% polyester whereas the duvet covers from luxury brands like Boll and Branch and Pottery Barn are usually organic cotton or percale.
3. Throw Pillows and Shams
It’s time to start layering bed pillows! This is truly the fun part. You NEED to invest in good pillow inserts (also called forms). If nothing else, this is the one place not to skip on quality bedding. You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg, but the cheapest ones on the market don’t cut it either. Full pillows make a huge difference beautifully compared to frumpy ones.
If you are using white shams and pillowcases like I am, check that there aren’t any obvious imprints or designs. These are my favorite Euro pillow inserts and sleeping pillows from Amazon. I have them on every single bed in my home!
The scallop Euro shams are a frequently asked-about piece in my home. I purchased them custom from Etsy, where you can choose everything from the exact size to the thread color (this is thread color 19).
I use the NORI steam iron to freshen up my bed linens after I wash them and it works wonders on the scallop shams! It gives it a professional look instantly.
Arranging Throw Pillows
You may be wondering how many pillows to use. How many is too many or when is it not enough? It can feel so overwhelming!
It’s really up to you because there are many ways to style throw pillows, but I’ll provide guidance in case you feel lost.
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A popular combination for a queen bed is the following – (2) 26×26 Euro pillows, (2) 20×20 accent pillows, and (1) 12×24 lumbar pillow or bolster pillow. If you’re new to bed styling and don’t know your style preference, I’d stick to this layered bedding look!
I use my standard sleeping pillows instead of accent pillows to keep a simple bed layout. If you decide to use decorative pillows, you can keep your sleeping standard pillows flat behind the Euro pillows.
4. Blankets or Quilts
A quilt is one of the last pieces you can add to your well-made bed to make it look and feel designer. Since I live in the South, I didn’t want something super thick and heavy.
This one from Amazon is an amazing designer look for less and the perfect weight for an ideal sleep temperature. It’s the BEST throw blanket to use if you are a hot sleeper but still like to sleep with a blanket.
Unfortunately, it is no longer available in this pretty blue color but the brand has many other affordable options worth checking out.
I also have this scallop quilt at the end of the bed in my primary bedroom. It is another designer look for less and IS currently in stock!
Some people tuck waffle weave blankets into their bedding as an inner layer and use them on top of their sheets under the duvet cover, but I prefer to fold them on the bed because I like the added texture for visual interest. This creates the perfectly styled look you are going for with different layers, especially in those colder months.
Whether you use this blanket tucked in or layered on top of your duvet cover, it’s great for warm sleepers because it is one of the most lightweight blankets I have found!
Bonus: Upholstered Headboard
A key element to this styled bed is my upholstered headboard. Adding it to our guest bedroom has been an investment well worth making. It amplifies the design of the luxury bedding and provides a sturdy backdrop for the layered elements.
If you feel uninspired with your bed frame or headboard, read my full review of the Tilly Upholstered Headboard. It will help you decide if this piece is for you! It may just be the finishing touch you were missing.
Conclusion
Styling a bed like a designer doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive. By focusing on simple layered bedding ideas, investing in key pieces like quality pillow inserts and duvet covers, and adding your personal touch with throw pillows and blankets, you can create a cozy bed that feels luxurious and inviting.
Whether refreshing a guest room or upgrading your own space, these bedding essentials and tips make it easy to achieve that dreamy, polished look you’ve always admired in showrooms!
