5 Steps to Dress Up a Platform Bed

Introduction

It can be a challenge to dress up and decorate any bed. There are as many methods of dressing up your platform bed, as there are types of beds. A good interior designer will decorate each bed depending on its type. With inspiration from beautifully done interiors and aesthetically pleasing home decorations on Pinterest, we have come up with great dressing up techniques and decorating ideas to help you decorate your Platform Bed.

Platform beds have a raised frame (platform) with wooden slats in the center to support the mattress. For a detailed guide on platform beds, take a look at our article. Compared to box springs which can sag over time, the mattress stays on top of the surface and its sides are exposed which makes dressing a platform bed different from decorating a mattress and box spring combination in which you let the sheets hang down. There are some designs of platform beds that do not have headboards. In such beds the sides of the mattress are exposed from all around and in others from three sides. 

To dress up your platform bed, follow these steps: 

• Step1: Cover the mattress with a fitted sheet
• Step 2: Add a loose display sheet
• Step 3: Add pillows and cushions
• Step 4: Add quilts and decorative layering
• Step 5: Match the room to the bed

Related topic: What are the pros and cons of platform beds and mattress types for platform beds

Step 1: Cover the mattress with a fitted sheet to make your platform bed look neat

The first step towards perfectly dressing up a platform bed is to cover the mattress with a fitted sheet. A fitted sheet usually comes with elastic corners so that it can fit the mattress without being loose from anywhere. It is important to get a fitted sheet that is tailored to the size of the mattress so that when you cover the mattress with it, there are no wrinkles on the surface.

One might wonder why do we need the fitted sheet anyway? Why can’t we just cover the mattress directly with the display sheet. Well, here is why:

• The fitted sheet acts as a protection for the mattress. If you spill ketchup on your bed, the double layer of sheets will most likely save the mattress underneath from getting dirty and stained.
• The fitted sheet, if used properly, will provide a smooth finish to the sheet on top and keep it in its place for longer. In other words, you will not have to worry about making your bed anew after every use.
•  The fitted sheets also help cover the underlying upholstry of the mattress (which is ugly in most cases). It is especially useful to use a fitted sheet if the color of your display sheet is light and the fabric is a bit see-through.

Fitted sheets are mostly available in white color and we suggest using plain white fitted sheets or any plain sheet that matches the color of the display sheet. This is important so that even if the fabric of the display sheet is light and see-through, the design or color of the fitted sheet at the bottom won’t be easy to see.

Here’s a platform bed that has a light color theme with a tucked in quilt and some printed pillows. Image from Williams and Kay

Step 2: Add a loose display sheet to dress up the platform bed

Having covered the mattress with an appropriate fitted sheet it is time to pick up a display sheet of your choice and lay it over the bed. Once the sheet is evenly spread on the bed and hangs evenly from all sides, make sure to tuck the sheet under the mattress from each side. When tucking the sheet under the mattress, make sure to give it a gentle pull. This is important so that when the sheet is tucked under the mattress from all sides, the surface is smooth. When you sit or lie on a bed, the surface of the bedsheet tends to become loose, so it is advisable to keep the bedsheet a little taut when you make it in the first place.

As for the design of the display sheet, it really depends on what style of platform bed you have and what type of ambiance you want your room to have. For a modern and sleek look, plain bedsheets and neutral colors do wonders. Plain bedsheets in light colors are also a good idea if you wish to make your room look spacious. You can always add a dimension of design through pillows and quilts.

Although plain bedsheets are an easy, safe and aesthetic option for modern style platform beds, this is not the only option. Depending on the style of your room you can also go for printed bedsheets and make your bed look like a piece of art.

Using lighting, the SouthForkFoodTruck team enhanced this dark-theme. Also notice that silver and white in the room help accentuate the lines

Step 3: Add pillows and cushions to add vibrant colors or accents

No bed is complete without some cozy pillows. Pillows and cushions are a great way to dress up a platform bed and accentuate its look. The basic design of the majority of platform beds is very simple, which makes choosing the right bedding and pillow covers all the more crucial. Because, what is on the bed draws just as much attention as the bed itself. If you are looking to keep everything basic and minimalistic, you can just keep two well-shaped pillows on your bed and they will look great. If your room and bed has more of a classic look, add another set of bolster pillows to go with that look.

Even if your display sheet is plain, you can use pillows with prints to give more character to your bed. Using two sets of pillows, with two plain ones and two printed ones, can use contrasting colors to enhance your bed. This style helps you maintain a balance between having an overly done room and having a room that looks too plain. Another great way to use pillows is to contrast the color of pillow colors with the display bedsheet. You can create a million different contrasts that way and bring brilliance to your room.

If you are looking to add a pop of color and an element of design on your bed, cushions are a great idea. Imagine a brightly colored yellow cushion against a background of plain blue bedding or imagine a chevron printed cushion against plain white or black bedding. Along with being bed essentials, pillows and cushions are design tools that you can use in countless ways to decorate your bed. So get your creative juices flowing and make your bed stand out.

A simple printed rug was used here to match the prints on the quilt and cushions. Image from Wayfair.

Step 4: Add quilts and decorative layering to make your platform bed look more luxurious

Having set the pillows and the sheets, now comes the most interesting element: the quilt. Be careful not underestimate the importance of quilts in dressing up your platform bed. Let us first discuss the basic techniques and then move to the more advanced elements of style that you can bring in through quilts.

There are two basic ways in which you can set the quilts on the bed. One way is to fold the quilt into two or three folds, spread it horizontally and evenly towards the end of the mattress and then neatly tuck the sides under the mattress, just as you did with the bedsheet.

The theme used for the bed was minimalist. Then the decorators added a rug to pop out the blue and gray with a different printed design. From AllModern.com. 

The other way is to spread the quilt, bringing it over the pillows and then folding the end (that you spread over the pillows) backwards in a way that it no longer covers the pillows. This technique works especially well if it is a double sided quilt. That is to say if the upper side of the quilt is different in design from the inner side. Using the quilt this way will show both sides of the quilt and add a strong element of design to your bedding. Remember to tuck the sides of the quilt under the mattress if its length is too long. Tucking is a good idea when the base of the bed extends beyond the mattress; if your mattress is just the size of the bed’s platform, you can also let the sides of the quilt hang down. Also take a look at platform bed skirts.

The above are the most basic techniques of setting up the quilts. However, there are a lot of other ways in which you can play with quilts as an element of design. Using more than one quilt of the same color but different texture can add an element of coziness in the room without making it look crowded.

Similarly, you can add multiple quilts of contrasting colors and designs to make your bed look lively. A pop of bright colors can change the whole vibe of the room. Quilts with different colors can be set on the bed by using different sizes of folds. You can double fold a printed quilt and place it towards the end of the mattress and add, on top of it, a triple-folded plain quilt and vice versa. 

Step 5: Give finishing touches like rugs and lighting

Step 5 is all about adding finishing touches to your platform bed and to your room in relation with the bed. It is time to take a step back and have a look at your beautifully decorated Platform bed and its surroundings. Now ask yourself these questions:

• Can I add a rug to match the color of the platform bed?
• Is there any artwork that has a similar or contrasting style to the bed? 
• Can a light or dark colored dresser or cabinet be added to the room?
• What lighting will help accentuate the style of the bedding?

If you are still not satisfied with the way everything looks, remember your options are open. Brainstorm and think about what you can do to compensate for the missing element. If the design is too plain, will placing a brightly colored and beautifully textured throw-blanket help to make it better. If you are satisfied with the bedding but the room doesn’t feel right for it, will it help to add a flower vase on your night-stand? Sometimes the missing element can be the lighting of the room. If you have used layers of quilts on the bed but your room still doesn’t look snug, chances are that the problem lies somewhere else. Perhaps if you change the lighting of the room from bright day light color to a warm white color, everything will make better sense.

The classic look with a few pillow accents. Simple and easy. From Pinterest.

You might also decide that adding a nice reading nook will help dress up your room as well as your platform bed. Take a look at our 10 bookcase bed nook ideas to make your room look cozy for some extra tips and tricks. You might also find interest in our related article describing how to style a bookcase bed and decorate it properly so make sure to check that out too.

Having taken care of the basic elements of dressing up your platform bed, the field is open for you to experiment in. There are a lot of elements using which you can exhibit your creativity and make your Platform bed, and along with it your room, a treat for the eyes and a comfort for the body. You may also enjoy reading about our favorite platform bed frames.