How to Layer Bedding Like a Designer

Want to know how to layer a bed like a designer? Of course, you do. After all, we spend a third of our lives snoozing, so we may as well do it in the best possible surroundings.

It’s simple to boost your  bedding with some lovely layers and embrace the luxurious sleep you deserve. You won't believe how much some perfectly arranged  pillows, textured  throws and plush  accessories make the whole bed much more tempting to crawl into after a long day. 

In this guide, we'll teach you our designer’s bed layering tips, which will not only leave your bed looking beautiful but make it so much warmer and comfier, too.

“Colour always comes first for us at Secret Linen Store, it's where we always start, every single season. For me, it's not so much the colour in the bed linen, it's the colour scheme for the whole room that's important, the bed linen is the biggest surface area after the walls, so you can have some fun here as it's easily changeable. Soft and neutral colours would be my recommendation to create a calm room, natural and warm sludgy colours are all very best friends.

Create a colour palette with swatches and samples and choose your bedroom textiles to work in your scheme.” - Molly Freshwater, co-founder of Secret Linen Store.

Pops of colour give a bed so much character. Whether you want a big, colourful bed or a classic white bed with charmingly colourful accents, there are so many ways to layer colour on a bed.

Choose a base colour for your bed in a soft pastel like pink or blue, then add accessories like  cushions and throw blankets in a darker shade of the same colour. This gives your bed so much dimension. 

For a bed that really stands out, try totally contrasting colours from opposite ends of the colour wheel.

Fabric design whizz (and one of our fab founders) Molly Freshwater says: “I think of my bed as a picture that I colour in with patterns and texture. It could be greenand naturals, pinkand white… mustardand grey? It's your choice, but more than one is a big tick from me.”

We love a pattern here at our Secret Linen Store, from florals to stripes to spots and dots. 

Generally, if your  duvet cover and  pillowcases have a pattern, it’s best to opt for block-coloured accessories, and vice versa. Match the colour of your plain bedding to a colour featured in your patterned bedding, whether that’s the spots on your spotty-dotty bedding, the petals on your  floral-patterned duvet, or the background colour of your bedding design. 

Of course, throwing out the rule book is always encouraged, and mixing and matching patterns brings so much excitement to your interior decor. 

“Don't hesitate to mix different patterns together. Patterns generally fall into two categories: free-flowing organic designs inspired by nature and geometric styles with simple repeating shapes like triangles and squares. Embrace the contrast between these patterns, as opposites often create striking combinations. Begin by selecting a standout focal pattern, then complement it with other designs from the same colour palette. Aim for balance by incorporating three prints in varying sizes, such as a narrow stripe, a midsize herringbone, and an oversized floral. And don't forget about texture - adding elements like linen bedding and quilted throws can enhance the overall depth of your space.” - Molly Freshwater, co-founder of Secret Linen Store.

Layer your  stripy bedding with more stripes for a zany and fun look. If your duvet and pillow covers boast thick stripes, opt for cushions with thin stripes in the same colours. Does your primary bedding feature horizontal stripes? Accessories with diagonal stripes make for such a marvellous contrast.

Molly’s top tip? “A bottom sheet doesn’t need to match, or be plain, it just needs to fit and be within your colour scheme. I'd suggest trying one of our striped sheets underneath, it’s a lovely surprise when you pull back the duvet at bedtime.”

If this is the bed decor style for you, we’ve got a guide to bedding mix-and-matching to give you more designer know-how. 

We love playing around with different textures. Not only do they look lovely, but they’re also such a sensory treat to touch.

Top your linen bedding with cotton quilted cushions for contrast and a soft, plush feel, or try a fluffy throw to snuggle up your cotton sheets. Our textured  waffle throws are so warming, while our fringed linen blankets have a relaxed and tactile feel.

There’s always a debate on  pillows, but our design gurus say six. Yep, that’s six whole pillows... four will be fine as long as two of them are square, since square pillows are so large and plush. 

Another bonus of layering lots and lots of pillows is the opportunity to play around with  pillowcase patterns. We love mixing pillowcases, going for two of each design. Think two plain pillows and then the square pillows in a striped case. As long as the colours go, mix them up and have some fun.

Add even more plushness to your bed with  cushions on top of your pillows. A single accent cushion looks beautiful nestled in the centre of your  pillows, or lay a single cushion directly in front of both pillow piles for that little finishing touch. 

One of our favourite ways to layer cushions on a bed is the classic triangle formation. Place two same-size cushions next to one another, with a smaller cushion at the front. This arrangement is a go-to for a reason: It always looks smart and sweet.

You could also arrange multiple cushions in a row in front of your pillows. This looks particularly pretty when you tilt your cushions onto their sides for a gorgeous diamond shape. Or alternate between tilted and straight cushions for a diamond-square-diamond-square arrangement. 

Want one last tip from a styling pro? Molly says:

“If you take a scroll through our photography, you will often find that I have dressed the beds with one or 2 layers on top of the duvet. My secret tip for a lovely layer is adding a 100% linen flat sheet... this is a great way to add texture and colour to your bed. The best thing about this method is that it looks best when it’s literally thrown on top. Linen looks great because of the way that it reflects light and holds colour.”

At our Secret Linen Store, we’ve got all the bits and bobs you need to layer up your bed beautifully. Want some more styling tips for your home? The  Bedspread is brimming with ideas.

Want one last tip from a styling pro? Molly says:

“If you take a scroll through our photography, you will often find that I have dressed the beds with one or 2 layers on top of the duvet. My secret tip for a lovely layer is adding a  100% linen flat sheet ... this is a great way to add texture and colour to your bed. The best thing about this method is that it looks best when it’s literally thrown on top. Linen looks great because of the way that it reflects light and holds colour.”

At our Secret Linen Store, we’ve got all the bits and bobs you need to layer up your bed beautifully. Want some more styling tips for your home? The Bedspread is brimming with ideas.