Bedding can be surprisingly expensive and, no matter how much money you spend, or how you dress your bed, you often end up with a bed that looks either too fussy, too generic, or too fragile, with fabrics that you guard from the dog and the kids.

Here is my favorite way to dress your bed that looks interesting, is budget-friendly, and is easy to make and maintain.

1. Choose a simple comforter or duvet as the main cover of your bed. Ideally, this layer should be easy to clean (which is why I prefer removable, washable duvet covers over a down duvet).
2. At the head of the bed, have your two sleeping pillows (in fresh pillow cases) behind two decorative pillow shams.
3. In front of the two shams, place either a single decorative pillow that makes you smile, or one long body pillow in a cover that is the accent color of the room.
4. At the foot of the bed, fold a blanket or quilt in the accent color of the room. Try to make this a durable element too, ideally washable, and something you’d want to pull up over you on colder nights.

That’s it. To sleep you just remove the two shams and the single decorative accent or body pillow. In the morning you straighten the duvet and foot blanket and replace the three pillows. Now, if that is still too many pillows for you, just make sure your sleeping pillows are fresh and fluffy and that they are covered in fresh sheets that compliment the room, and then use the single body pillow for your accent. That can be enough on its own (and is, in fact, what I have in my own home, seen here.)

If your bed is a pain to make every morning, you probably won’t do it, but if you are craving an elegantly made bed, try this technique – it can be the best of both worlds!

May your home always be happy!