What is the first step in making a hotel-style bed?

The first step is to fit the fitted sheet snugly around each corner of the mattress, ensuring the fabric is pulled tight to eliminate wrinkles on the sleeping surface.

How do I create hospital corners for a flat sheet?

Tuck the lower edge of the sheet under the mattress at the foot, lift the side at a corner to form a 45° triangle, tuck the hanging fabric under, then fold the triangle down and tuck the remaining fabric neatly under the mattress.

What is the recommended method for inserting a duvet into its cover?

Turn the duvet cover inside out, reach inside to grab the top corners of the duvet, flip the cover right-side out over it, secure ties, then shake and smooth the duvet from the centre outwards.

How should I arrange pillows for a hotel-style bed?

Use two sleeping pillows per person, stack them if desired, and add one or two decorative cushions. Place pillowcases with the seam at the back for a smooth front, then fluff each pillow.

How can I maintain a hotel-ready bed daily?

Straighten sheets and duvet each morning, give pillows a quick shake, and open a window for a few minutes. Weekly tasks include changing sheets and pillowcases, and washing duvet covers and throws.

Hotel-style bed making tutorial: simple steps for a neat, hotel-ready bed

Follow our hotel-style bed making tutorial for a neat, welcoming bed. Step-by-step guidance, simple tools and maintenance tips for South African homes.

Published:May 18, 2026

Updated:September 9, 2026

5 min read

Photo by Liliana Drew on Pexels

Simple tools

Gather fitted sheet, flat sheet, duvet, pillowcases and a throw.

Sources

Bash - Bed & Linen
Good Housekeeping - How to make a bed like a hotel
The Spruce - Steps for a hotel-style bed
Woolmark - Fabric care and maintenance guidance

Why a hotel-style bed making tutorial matters

A hotel-style bed feels crisp, calm and welcoming - and learning the basics is quicker than you think. In this hotel-style bed making tutorial we focus on small habits and clear steps that make a big visual difference. Whether we’re preparing a guest room, tidying a weekday routine, or aiming for a neat look for photos, these techniques work in small flats and larger homes across South Africa.

Tools and linen checklist

Before we start, gather these items so the process is smooth:

Fitted sheet sized correctly for your mattress
Flat sheet (optional but common in hotel beds)
Duvet and duvet cover or bedspread
Pillows (2-4 depending on bed size) and pillowcases
Optional: mattress protector, decorative cushions, lightweight throw

Estimated costs (typical South Africa ranges, for planning): good-quality pillowcases from about R120 each, a duvet cover from roughly R350-R1 200 depending on fabric, and a duvet or inner from R400-R2 000 depending on fill and size. These are estimates and will vary by brand and retailer.

Preparation: clean, air and straighten

Strip the bed and check the mattress surface. If possible, let the mattress air for a few minutes while you open windows. Replace or rotate mattress protectors and fix any sagging on the mattress so sheets sit evenly.

Small tip: if the duvet is slightly damp after washing, give it a good shake and a few minutes in the sun to reduce creases before tucking into the cover.

Step 1 - fitted sheet first

Fit the fitted sheet snugly around each corner of the mattress, making sure the fabric is pulled tight so there are no wrinkles on the sleeping surface. A smooth fitted sheet is the foundation of a hotel-style bed.

Step 2 - flat sheet and hospital corners

If we use a flat sheet, align it so the top edge sits a few centimetres above the headboard line and the sides hang evenly. To make neat hospital corners:

Tuck the lower edge of the sheet under the mattress at the foot of the bed.
Lift the side of the sheet at a corner to form a 45° triangle and tuck the hanging fabric under the mattress.
Fold the triangle down and tuck the remaining fabric neatly under the mattress.

Hospital corners keep the bed looking tight and make the top layer easier to smooth after adding the duvet.

Step 3 - duvet insertion and smoothing

If we're using a duvet and cover, follow a simple insertion method:

Turn the duvet cover inside out and reach inside to grab the two top corners.
With the duvet corners in hand, flip the cover right-side out over the duvet and secure ties or fastenings.
Shake and snap the duvet so it fills the cover evenly, then smooth the surface from the centre outwards.

For a hotel-style finish, fold the top of the duvet back about 20-30 cm to reveal the sheet edge and create a layered look. If we want a platformed hotel look, add a flat bedspread or throw folded at the foot of the bed.

Internal resources

For guidance on linen choices and care, see our Bed & Linen articles. If you need new sheets or covers, browse our curated selection at Bed & Linen.

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Pillows, styling and finishing touches

Pillows are central to the hotel aesthetic. Use two sleeping pillows per person (stacked if desired) and add one or two decorative cushions for shape. Put pillowcases on with the seam at the back for a smooth front, then give each pillow a quick fluff to restore loft.

Edge tucks and a tidy foot

Tighten the sides of the duvet and tuck the lower edge under the mattress for a neat base. For a softer look, leave the sides to hang and fold a lightweight throw neatly over the foot. For a long-term well-kept bed, consider using a mattress protector and rotating the duvet inner seasonally.

Daily and weekly routines

A short daily habit keeps our beds hotel-ready: straighten sheets and duvet each morning, give pillows a quick shake, and open a window for a few minutes when weather allows. Weekly tasks: change sheets and pillowcases, wash duvet covers and throws as recommended on care labels, and check for wear.

Daily: smooth sheets, fold top back, fluff pillows (2-3 minutes).
Weekly: strip and launder bedding, inspect mattress protector (30-60 minutes including washing).

Common mistakes and fixes

Wrinkled duvet covers: dry on a warm but gentle setting and remove promptly to smooth. Mis-sized sheets: always check mattress depth before buying fitted sheets - extra-deep options are helpful for thicker mattresses. Too many decorative cushions: aim for balance - two to three keeps the bed stylish without clutter.

Adapting the tutorial for small spaces and kids

In small rooms, keep bedding layering light so the bed is easy to make. For children's beds, use fewer cushions and choose easy-care materials that can handle frequent washes. If we’re outfitting a guest bed quickly, a fitted sheet, duvet cover and two pillows will create a confident, hotel-like impression with minimal effort.

If you’re looking for coordinating pieces, explore related categories like beds and headboards for overall fit and proportion at Beds, Mattresses & Headboards.

Quick checklist: hotel-style bed making tutorial summary

Start with a smooth fitted sheet.
Use hospital corners or neat tucks for the flat sheet.
Insert and shake the duvet then fold the top back for layers.
Fluff pillows, add minimal decorative cushions, and tidy the foot.
Adopt a small daily routine and a weekly laundry plan.

We hope this hotel-style bed making tutorial helps us build a simple routine that keeps our bedrooms calm and welcoming. For linen and practical pieces to try, visit our Bed & Linen shop or read related articles for fabric and care tips.

Last updated: September 9, 2026

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Hotel-style bed making tutorial: simple steps for a neat, hotel-ready bed

Simple tools

Sources

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Step-by-step method

Daily routine

Why a hotel-style bed making tutorial matters

Tools and linen checklist

Preparation: clean, air and straighten

Step 1 - fitted sheet first

Step 2 - flat sheet and hospital corners

Step 3 - duvet insertion and smoothing

Internal resources

Pillows, styling and finishing touches

Edge tucks and a tidy foot

Daily and weekly routines

Common mistakes and fixes

Adapting the tutorial for small spaces and kids

Quick checklist: hotel-style bed making tutorial summary

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