For many people, making the bed is one of those little everyday routines that happen almost automatically – sometimes casually, sometimes deliberately. But what seems so inconspicuous at first glance has a surprisingly large impact: on our well-being, on the tidiness of the room and even on the quality of our sleep. For many, making the bed is far more than a mere duty – it is a ritual that provides structure, conveys a sense of security and makes a room look calmer.
In this article, you will learn why it is worth making your bed every day, how to make your bed nice and cozy and which details turn a simple action into a conscious form of self-care.
Order on the outside – peace on the inside
The bedroom is our most personal retreat. It’s where every day begins and ends. An unmade bed often seems like a silent symbol of restlessness – whereas a carefully made bed immediately radiates harmony. This effect can be clearly explained psychologically: Tidiness in the environment creates order in the mind. Making your
This effect has even been scientifically proven. Studies show that people who regularly make their bed feel more productive and can switch off more easily in the evening. This is because the bedroom remains a place of peace – free from clutter that unconsciously signals stress. Making the bed can thus become a first act of mindfulness; a small ritual that immediately makes you feel better.
Making the bed – but the right way
But how do you make a bed properly? Regardless of whether it’s classically neat or perfectly arranged in hotel style – a few basics should always be observed. After getting up, it is advisable to air the bed first. During sleep, the body loses moisture, which is transferred to the mattress and bed linen. Smoothing out the comforter immediately prevents this moisture from escaping and creates a damp microclimate that favors house dust mites.
The ideal solution is to open the window, fold back the covers and let the bed breathe for about 20 minutes. The bed can then be made properly: Smooth out the sheets, fluff the comforter and pillows, align the pillows – and if you like, you can top it all off with decorative accents.
This small effort is particularly worthwhile for high-quality bedding. Regularly fluffing and airing your comforter and pillow not only prolongs their lifespan, but also maintains their lightness and fluffiness. Daily bed-making is therefore also a contribution to the care of the materials.
Making a beautiful bed – the art is in the detail
A beautifully made bed is more than just an eye-catcher. It shapes the atmosphere of the entire room. If you want to make your bed beautiful, you can take inspiration from hotel rooms, for example, where everything looks inviting, soft and perfectly proportioned. Typical of the hotel style are smooth sheets, open blankets, harmonious color combinations and clearly arranged pillows.
But this effect can also be easily achieved at home. The key is layering: the comforter forms the base, with a soft throw or bedspread falling loosely over the foot end. Three to five cushions in different sizes create depth and structure. Large cushions are best placed at the back, medium ones in front and a small decorative cushion as a highlight in the middle.
When choosing colors, experience has shown that natural and earth tones have a particularly calming effect. White, sand, taupe or soft shades of gray create a visual expanse. If you like things a little livelier, you can create soft, visual contrasts with different fabric textures such as linen or bouclé. It is important that everything remains harmonious. After all, a bed that radiates calm automatically invites you to lie down.
Making the bed cozier – warmth, fragrance and atmosphere
Making a bed more comfortable means involving all the senses. Soft materials, pleasant temperatures, subdued lighting and a soothing fragrance create a feeling of security. A high-quality comforter that provides the right sleeping climate all year round is the basis. Add to this a pillow that provides optimum support for the neck and adapts individually – because true coziness comes from comfort, and that is completely individual.
Textures and fabrics also play an important role. Flannel in winter, light cotton or linen in summer: those who adapt their bed linen to the seasons not only sleep better, but also feel more comfortable all round. Accessories such as plaids, a lambskin, additional pillows or even a bed runner provide that little bit of extra comfort.
And not to forget: the scent. Freshly laundered bed linen, lavender sachets, Swiss stone pine or natural room fragrances have a calming effect and promote sleep.
You can find more tips for cozy bedrooms and living rooms in our articles The bedroom – an important oasis of calm to recharge your batteries and Hygge – a lifestyle with a feel-good atmosphere.
Should you make the bed at all?
Many people wonder whether it is better to make the bed as soon as they get up or to leave it uncovered first. There are different views on this. Some researchers argue that an uncovered bed can theoretically dry faster because moisture escapes more easily – a suggestion based mainly on the observation that dry sleeping environments are less conducive to mites. Other studies, on the other hand, emphasize – as already mentioned – the psychological influence of a tidy bedroom: visual order reduces stress, promotes inner peace and thus indirectly supports sleep hygiene.
So it’s not so much whether you make the bed, but how you make it. If you air the room after getting up, use high-quality materials and keep the bedroom tidy overall, you will benefit twice over: from a fresh sleeping environment and a room that instantly makes you feel relaxed as soon as you enter it.
This makes the bed part of holistic sleep hygiene and just as important as a quiet environment, the right temperature or reduced light. It structures the day and creates a beneficial balance between activity and relaxation.
However, how, when and why people make their beds differs not only from individual to individual. There are also remarkable cultural differences. A look at other countries shows how diverse this everyday ritual can be.
Making the bed worldwide – how other cultures sleep and design their beds
As natural as making the bed is for many of us, it is handled very differently in other countries. While in Central Europe, a neatly made bed with pillows, comforter and bedspread is seen as a sign of cleanliness and tidiness, the picture is very diverse around the world.
In Japan, for example, people traditionally sleep on a futon – a thin, flexible mattress that is rolled up in the morning and stored in the wardrobe. During the day, the bedroom is transformed into a living room. Here, “making the bed” means carefully rolling up, airing and folding – an expression of mindfulness and space-saving at the same time.
In Scandinavia, on the other hand, bed-making is particularly simple: large, individual comforters for each person, clear lines, light colors. Functionality takes precedence over perfection here. The result is a minimalist but very cozy bed that radiates warmth and lightness.
In the USA, the exact opposite is common. Here, the elaborately made bed is the standard. Several layers of sheets, blankets, quilts and pillows create the typical “layered look”. The effort involved is huge, but the result is particularly luxurious. The style is strongly oriented towards the hotel industry, where the bed is the centerpiece of the room.
In French and Italian households, the focus is often on a natural, homely aesthetic. The beds are deliberately arranged more loosely – not strictly folded, but pleasantly relaxed and yet neat.
In many southern countries such as Spain, Portugal or Greece, the bed is covered with a light blanket during the day to protect it from dust and sun – a practical habit that is also part of the regional home decor.
The right bedding for a perfectly made bed
As different as these rituals are, they all show: Making the bed is more than just a routine. It reflects lifestyle, climate and culture. Whether minimalist, luxurious or pragmatic – the same desire for peace, security and restful sleep is at the heart of it all.
The ZIRBERELLA® Wool Swiss stone pine pillow combines softly puffed virgin sheep’s wool balls from certified organic animal husbandry with a subtle hint of Swiss stone pine wood. The mixture ensures a pleasantly balanced sleeping climate, while the cover made of GOTS-certified soft cotton batiste gently envelops the pillow.
The ZIRBERELLA® Wool Swiss stone pine duvet uses the same high-quality natural wool base, spread over a fluffy, breathable filling. The added Swiss stone pine wood flakes release their subtle wood fragrance evenly into the environment and create a peaceful sleeping environment. The organic cotton cover makes the comforter an all-round natural choice.
The ZIRBERELLA® Cotton Swiss stone pine duvet is a vegan alternative. It has a soft filling of pure organic cotton combined with Swiss stone pine wood flakes from sustainable forestry. It is light, moisture-regulating and pleasantly cuddly – ideal for anyone who wants to consciously avoid using animal materials.
