For some families, making the bed is just another morning chore. For others, it’s practically an art form. In my house, it definitely falls into the second category. Thanks to my mother, I learned early on that a well-made bed can completely transform the look and feel of a room. Most of us use a fitted sheet, a top sheet, and a quilt, comforter, or duvet, but a few simple techniques can make everything look much more polished.

Start with a smooth fitted sheet to create a neat, wrinkle-free foundation. But one of the biggest bed-making surprises involves the top sheet. Many people naturally place its decorative or patterned side facing upward. However, there’s a simple styling trick that does exactly the opposite. When you first put the top sheet onto the mattress, the finished or patterned side should face down—and there’s a clever reason why.