Think you’ve got a lovely room, and have made the bed nicely ready for sale, but it’s not looking as good as it could? Pillows, throws, valance, bedspread, duvets……it’s not as easy as one would think.
The way a bed is made can make a huge difference to the feel of a room in real estate photo’s and during open homes. It really is the focal point of a bedroom, and you want to capture the imagination of potential buyers, giving them a sense of luxury and relaxation. You want to make them feel like they could be comfortable sleeping in that room. If the bed linen is looking tired or stained, too bright or over patterned then it needs a review. If you replace them with neutral colours and layers this can create a much softer, high-end look desired by many.
Ideally, you’ll need…
- Valance or ‘bed skirt’
- 1 Fitted and 1 flat sheet
- 2 Euro style pillows & covers (3 for a super king and optional for a single)
- 2 Standard pillows & covers (1 for a single bed)
- 1or 3 assorted decorative pillows
- Duvet cover in a soft neutral colour
- Duvet inner or comforter
- Blanket or bedspread
- Throw or shawl for the end of the bed (optional)
- A headboard – they help create the focal point. It’s easy to DIY one if you don’t have one already.
Take your colour inspiration from the room, but it needn’t shout. A subtle colour picked from an artwork, wall covering, curtains or rug can help it make sense. If you have trouble mixing and matching or deciding, there are bed-in-a-bag options available – just stick to the neutral look for the duvet. Alternatively, the sales staff in bed shops can be fabulous in helping with these decisions. Before you start making the bed, don’t forget… 
- Iron it all first including the valance – whether new out of the bag or your own cupboard, folded linen creases badly. Nicely ironed linen looks 100% better.
- Remember to place the flat sheet face down, then fold it back to expose the right side 30-50cms from the top.
- Use a soft puffy duvet inner – a flat-bed doesn’t look luxurious. Make sure it isn’t lumpy though.
Once you’ve got your sheets in place, place the duvet on the bed, then fold it back with the flat sheet 30-50cm from the top of the bed exposing the layers. Then place the Euro pillows against the headboard, followed by the standard pillows, then the decorative pillows (no more than 7 pillows in total). 
Try a different mix until you are happy with the effect. Finally, drape a folded blanket or bedspread across the end for a colour contrast, and add a throw or shawl to soften. Take a step back and take a good look – is it over staged? If so, be Coco Chanel about it and take something off. Sometimes less is more! 
Brent Palmer – Professional Real Estate Consultant
He has helped many people buy and sell homes in the Nelson, Stoke and Richmond areas for years, and would love the opportunity to help you as well.
Thinking of selling your home? I have a real passion for helping people sell their homes in our Nelson and Tasman Region, as well as the marketing, social media & advanced technology for home selling that goes along with it. I’d love to have the opportunity to sit down with you discuss how we can work together to get you the best price.
I help people buy and sell real estate in the following Nelson and Tasman towns & neighbourhoods: Wakefield, Brightwater, Hope, Appleby, Redwood Valley, Mapua, Stoke, Tahunanui, Atawhai and of course, Richmond and Nelson City. Connect with Brent on Facebook and pretty much everywhere else.
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