Styling Your Bed Like an Influencer

A lazily draped throw, a tastefully stacked pile of pillows, sheets crumpled to a calculated degree: welcome to the increasingly popular art of bed styling. Transforming your bed into a cozy and inviting place can really lift your mood every time you walk into the room. It’s no secret that a visually cluttered, discordant bedroom can increase stress and tension, so it makes sense that designing your dream sleep space can really up the relaxation levels. 

That said, it’s not as simple as throwing together a few pillows atop your duvet if you’re looking to get that influencer style. At first glance, those deliciously aesthetic beds may seem effortlessly made up, but there’s actually a lot of careful consideration going on behind the scenes. Once you build up your collection of beautiful bedroom essentials and get the hang of arranging them just so, it’ll become second nature to leave your bed each day looking photoshoot-ready. Want to know how it’s done? Here are five secrets you’ll need if you want to style your bed like an influencer. 

1. Start with natural fibers

Whether you go for the flat and fitted combo or skip the top sheet, modern bed styling will leave part of your mattress coverings exposed. Opt for sheets made with natural materials, such as flax linen or 100% cotton. Not only are they comfortable and durable, but they look great, especially when you leave them gently wrinkled from the wash. White is a popular go-to, but colours such as oatmeal, charcoal, terracotta and pink clay are versatile options for adding extra visual interest.

2. Layer up with pillows

The basics for sleeping are a mattress with a pillow and a blanket – but we’re going beyond basic. Scroll through style pics from any of your favorite influencers and you’ll notice a theme: layers. Start with your sheets (again, with or without a flat sheet, it’s up to you) and a doona in a contrasting color. Then get to work compiling your pillows and cushions. For a full, lush look, begin with a pair of European pillows at the back, then add standard pillows in front. For bonus style points, stack your standard pillows vertically, instead of one in front of the other. 

Finish off with some decorative throw cushions, playing with size, shape, color and texture. 

3. Add a touch of warmth

Nothing beats snuggling into warm, fuzzy blankets when the weather cools down. Textured throw blankets and rugs can be draped across your bed, providing more layers and making your sleep space look even more enticing. Chunky cable knit blankets, waffle pattern throws and plush faux fur can make for the perfect finishing touch. Match it to another accent piece, such as a pillow, or use a color that contrasts with the duvet. 

4. Shake it up a little

This might sound counterintuitive, but when it comes to making your bed Insta-perfect, stylised imperfection is the key. Smoothing every wrinkle and pulling everything in tight might work for a hotel, but the vibe we’re going for is more relaxed. When you get up in the morning, pull up your duvet (and fold it back between ⅓ and ½ of the way down the bed), plump the pillows a little and pop your throw blanket and cushions on without fussing too much. This is how your fave Instagrammers get that ‘effortless’ chic. 

5. Go beyond the bed

Last but not least, widen your scope to include the area surrounding your bed. Bedside tables, lamps, floor rugs, decor –they all work together to set the scene and make your bed look gorgeous. The trick is to find your aesthetic and build from there. Crushing on bold, beautiful bedrooms? Make a splash with an oversized artwork above your bed. Got a thing for greenery? A wide bedside table could accommodate several plant friends; you can even add an extra-large floor pot to the other side of your bed. Don’t get hung up on everything matching, instead focus on pieces that work together to tell a visual story. 

Ready to embark on your bedroom design journey? Get the ball rolling by collecting images, sketching ideas and jotting down notes to help narrow down your favorite style elements and build a vision of your dream bedroom. Soon enough you’ll be ready to inspire others with your ‘grammable room.