Move over tablescaping, there’s a new ‘scape’ in town: bedscaping. The art of a beautifully made bed is well worth refining; crisp bedlinen, plump pillows and soft, layered textures have all been shown to support a better night’s sleep.
A tailored bed begins with a gathered valance and crisp sheet, topped with a plump duvet in linen or cotton, then finished with a pretty throw or quilted comforter. Allow two pillows per person, generously filled, and layer smaller cushions in complementary materials, colours and prints on top. For a more elevated feel, add an oversized headboard, drapes or a canopy, and place a reading lamp within easy reach.
Wondering how to style a bed? Keep reading for our expert-approved tips and tricks on how to dress your bed for sleep and style.
1. Add flourish
Hide the base on either a divan and slatted bed with a pretty valance, given a fresh, modern update from their ’80s heyday. Opt for a ruffled or standard design in a classic print of stripes, faded florals or checks. Here, a Cabbages & Roses floral fabric goes perfectly with the striped wall hanging and raspberry cushion.
Rhubarb & Rose Pembroke Stripe Linen Blend Valance
Flounced Valance
Cotton Muslin Frilled Valance
2. Pick a palette
Three to five colours give scope and control to a scheme, making it easy to mix patterns and decoration. Salvesen Graham's collection (of wallpaper, lighting, cushions and eiderdowns), as seen here, makes it even simpler to coordinate a layered bedroom, working the prints and hues on the bed with the paint and curtains or blinds. A rule of three works well when introducing pattern: pair a graphic design, such as gingham or a stripe, with a larger-scale print like an ikat, then add a ditsier motif, such as a floral, to soften the overall look.
Birds & Berries Bolster Cushion
Navy Stripe Cotton Duvet Cover and Pillowcases
Ellenvale Interiors Aria Blue Floral Cushion
3. Frame the bed
Bring hotel glamour to the heart of your bedroom with curtains to block out light and create cosiness. This pretty lattice leaf fabric print from Vanessa Arbuthnott has traditional splendour to suit this ornate Swedish-style bed pelmet. If curtains aren't your thing, soften iron bedframes with cushioned tie-on headboards – or attach to a wall suspended from a rod.
For added framing and easy-on-the-eye symmetry, place lighting in a reachable position equal both sides of the bed: save space with wall lights, add cosy warmth with table lamps on a nightstand, and create modern opulence with pendants.
Cosy bedding edit
Scallop Embroidered Edge Duvet Cover
Rhubarb & Rose Pembroke Stripe Linen Blend Pillowcases (Pair)
Oliver Bonas Patchwork Diamond Pastel Multicolour Quilt
I'm a smallholder, Country Living columnist and expert in rural living, residing in North Yorkshire.
Alaina is the Style & Interiors Editor at Country Living (previously Home & Crafts Editor). Her creative eye stretches over decorating, style shoots, seasonal inspiration and craft, as well as event styling and licensing creatives. She has a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design and started her 17 year career at Hearst on House Beautiful before discovering a love for nature, the country home and bird watching. Alaina also works on Modern Rustic where she champions talented makers, and Vintage Home. Alaina has held several craft workshops and talks and styled a Country Living with Raymond Blanc's at Le Manoir.
