the
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.thursday,
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2021DC
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HomeSpring for new mattress covers
when you get a new mattress or if
yours show signs of wear. “It’s the
number one step to make sure
your investment lasts as long as
possible,” Homer says. Find one
that protects against bedbugs, al-
lergens, vomit, spills from drink-
ing or snacking in bed and child
accidents. She recommends en-
casement covers, which shield the
mattress. “They used to be rub-
bery and noisy, but now they feel
like nothing,” she says. She likes
the SureGuard mattress encase-
ment ($49.97 for the queen size,
Amazon) for both mattress and
box spring. (Yes, it’s a good idea to
also cover your box spring if you
have one.)
Wash poly-fill pillows every six
to 12 months, Homer says, and use
dryer balls when drying. “Dryer
balls gently whack into the bed-
ding as it tumbles, breaking apart
clumps of down and stuffing, so
they dry fluffy instead of lumpy,”
she says. Follow the manufactur-
er’s instructions on cleaning for
memory foam, down and other
specialty pillows, because some
can only be spot-cleaned. Don’t
forget to wash pillow protectors,
too, Homer says, such as the wa-
terproof ones by SureGuard
($36.97 a pair, Amazon).
If you struggle with a messy bed
every morning and love tightly
tucked sheets, Homer suggests us-
ing mattress suspenders (RayTour
bedsheet straps $9.96, Amazon),
which clip under your mattress
and can anchor multiple layers of
bedding at once.
Fun fact: You don’t have to
make your bed as soon as you get
up. In fact, it’s better not to. “Turn
down your bed in the morning,
and make your bed after break-fast,” Homer says. “Give your bed a
chance to air out. Open your
blinds for the sunshine to come
in.” Let moisture from sweat dry
out. “This will reduce allergens
and dust mite colonies and won’t
make your bed into a breeding
ground for things that don’t make
it smell so fresh,” she adds.Essential building blocks
“It’s so important that people
spend the time and energy to
think about how to create and
invest in a comfortable sleep ex-
perience,” says Ariel Kaye, founder
and chief executive of Parachute,
maker of stylish sheets, quilts, du-
vet covers and other bedroom es-
sentials. “You will spend a third of
your life in bed.”
After a mattress, pillows are the
most important element in build-
ing a dreamy place to sleep. There
are many varieties, including
down, down alternative, memory
foam, poly fill and buckwheat.
Some unzip, so you can adjust the
level of fill to your comfort level.
Many pillows are marked for firm-
ness, density or “loft.” Standard-
size bed pillows (20 by 26 inches)
are the typical choice; for a king-
size bed, you might want a longer
pillow (20 by 36 inches).
Kaye says she is a “maximalist”
and likes to have one medium
pillow and one firm. “Then I can
layer them depending on what
position I end up sleeping in,” she
says. Side sleepers usually like a
firmer and higher style to help
them take the strain off their head,
neck and back. Stomach sleepers
might prefer a thinner version. “A
super plump pillow forces a stom-
ach sleeper’s head into a pinched
angle,” Kaye says. She likes to add
26-inch European square pillowseither in front of or behind sleep-
ing pillows. “They add a nice pol-
ished look and are functional for
reading, watching TV or working
in bed,” she says.
Start with two sets of sheets, so
you have one for the bed while the
other is in the wash. Kaye likes the
classic choice, percale, which she
says has “more of a cool hand feel.”
The Parachute line also includes
brushed cotton, which feels “worn
in like a T-shirt”; a smooth sateen
with a warmer feel; and linen,
which is heavier but still breath-
able. Kaye says thread counts are
often just marketing gimmicks.
“Anything over 400 is really not
necessary” she says.
Go for a comforter or duvet if
you like more warmth; a blanket
or quilt are lighter options, Kaye
says. “I like to transition my bed
between seasons by adding or sub-
tracting layers,” she says.Styling a well-dressed bed
Dressing up your bed is a lot like
dressing up yourself, says Melissa
Sanabria, founder of D.C. design
firm Sanabria & Co. Layering is
key. The price of layers adds up,
though, so when you choose bed-
ding, you may have to start with
the basics, then add decorative
elements, such as throws, shams
and quilts, over time.
“When I was a broke college
student, I always invested in the
best sheets I could afford, as that
is the first layer that touches
your skin,” Sanabria says. For the
top layer, she prefers duvets,
which can be changed up with
new covers. She recommends neu-
trals such as white or tan for du-
vets or blankets, and she adds
various colors and textures with
accessories.When it comes to pillows, don’t
go overboard. On a queen-size
bed, Sanabria starts with two
sleeping pillows, then two pillows
with coordinating shams. Add two
decorative square pillows, such as
Crate and Barrel’s Eyelash pillow
covers ($29.95) or West Elm’s Cot-
ton Linen & Velvet Corners cover
($42.50). Buy pillow inserts that
are at least one inch larger than
the covers, so you get a really full
look, she says.
Sanabria recommends finish-
ing the top of the bed with a “nice,
long, skinny lumbar pillow” that
you center between the two deco-
rative square pillows.
“The lumbar pillow gives you
some visual interest and is also
good if you are reading and need
additional support. I use mine a
lot to prop up my computer,” San-
abria says. She likes the Hearth &
Hand colorblock version from Tar-
get ($29.99) or the Icelandic shorn
sheepskin pillow from CB2 ($139).
The final touch is a blanket,
bedspread or quilt for the foot of
the bed. Avoid ones that are
marked “throw,” because they will
be too small and won’t drape
across the entire end of the bed,
Sanabria says, or even cover your
feet when you pull it up to take a
nap. She suggests the European
flax blanket from West Elm ($200
for a full/queen). “This is a great
extra layer, looks pretty and is also
another opportunity for color or
pattern on your bed,” she says.
[email protected] Chat Thursday at 11 a.m.
Designer and author Paige Rien joins
staff writer Jura Koncius for our weekly
online Q&A on decorating and
household advice. Submit questions
at live.washingtonpost.com.BY JURA KONCIUSSlipping into a well-made bed is
a reward at the end of a long day.
But many of us give more
thought to constructing a great
sandwich than to layering the
right components for a bed that is
comfy and cozy, that looks stylish
and inviting — and that doesn’t
have the sheets all scrunched up at
the bottom.
Yes, some people seem to be
able to fall asleep on anything.
“But most of us need a comfort-
able setup, and bedding is so im-
portant in getting a good night’s
sleep,” says Keith Cushner, prod-
uct expert at sleepfoundation.org.
“If you are uncomfortable, you just
won’t sleep well.”
We asked three experts — a
bedding designer, a cleaning ex-
pert and an interior designer — to
weigh in on setting up and main-
taining a stylish, comfortable bed.
Here’s what they had to say.The basics
First things first: Do you know
how to make your bed? Melissa
Homer, chief cleaning officer at
MaidPro, offered the following
tips to help you get your sheets,
pillows and blankets just right.
Start with the fitted sheet,
hooking the pockets as far as they
will go over each corner of the
mattress, beginning in the most
difficult corner to reach if the bed
is pushed against walls. Then lay
out the top sheet — if you still use
one — with the patterned/finished
side facing down, because it will
give things a more finished look
when you fold back the sheet.
If you like to add blankets, lay
them on top of the sheet, then fold
back the top of the sheet six to
eight inches and tuck it tightly
under the mattress on three sides.
Spread your comforter, duvet or
bedspread over the bed and
smooth it out.
Put pillows in pillowcases and
fluff and smooth them. If you just
have sleeping pillows, place them
flat at the top of the bed. If you
have decorative pillows, place the
sleeping pillows upright and layer
the decorative pillows in front,
from largest to smallest, in a sym-
metrical, centered pattern.
Homer says you can get away
with washing sheets twice a
month — unless you are someone
who sweats a lot or has pets. Then,
go for weekly washing. “Modern
detergents are designed to get you
excellent results in cold water, but
the ideal temperature is warm,”
she says. Always read washing in-
structions before you buy. “If you
have unpredictable members of
your household, such as pets or
children, do not buy anything for
your bed that can’t go into the
washing machine,” Homer says.Making your bed: There’s more to it than you might think
ERIN COMERFORD
In this bedroom designed by Melissa Sanabria, founder of D.C. design firm Sanabria & Co., she uses her favorite pillow arrangement.