How a Designer Makes a Bed, in Five Easy Steps

Choosing a good bed frame and mattress is important, but there’s something else that matters nearly as much: The way you dress your bed.

Your sheets, pillows and other bedding — and the way they’re arranged — can have a big effect on how appealing your bed is and how good it feels to climb in at the end of the day.

“You want a bed that gives you a sense of comfort and security,” said Peter Dunham, an interior and textile designer in Los Angeles. “A great bed improves your quality of life.”

So what’s the best way to make a bed?

There are many ways to approach this task, but over the years Mr. Dunham, 62, has refined an approach that results in a fresh, tailored look. “I like it tight and crisp,” he said. “The look is quite military, not like a great, big paper-bag soufflé.”

Here’s how he does it.

Prepare the Base

Mr. Dunham typically begins by adding a mattress pad for a little extra softness. He prefers a thin, quilted cotton pad rather than a thick memory-foam topper, because it can be easily washed in a machine.