Make Your Bed and Lie in It: Baffling Bed Terms Demystified
Do you know a sham from a coverlet, or a dust ruffle from a bed skirt? We take the confusion out of these maddening terms
Bed making has become an elaborate art with layer upon layer of loveliness applied with precision. No longer is it enough to pull up the quilt and call a bed made. Bed scarves and bed covers, plumped cushions and pillows in all shapes and sizes, and skilfully coordinated bedding can combine to deliver five-star fabulousness to any bedroom. The first step in creating such a marvel at your house is to know your coverlets from your comforters, a task made all the more tricky with different terms being used in different parts of the world. Read on to unravel all those bedding terms that drive people to distraction.
Contrasting cushions and European-size pillows can achieve the same effect as pillow shams. European pillow case sizes are often referred to as ‘Continental’. Colour-coordinate cushions and pillows for a balanced look…
Bed covers and comforters
A bed cover can be a quilt, bedspread or blanket that covers the bed of a day for a polished look, and can be removed at night for sleeping. Hotels often use bed covers and multiple cushions and pillows to give rooms a luxurious look. Comforters are an American term for quilts.
A bed cover can be a quilt, bedspread or blanket that covers the bed of a day for a polished look, and can be removed at night for sleeping. Hotels often use bed covers and multiple cushions and pillows to give rooms a luxurious look. Comforters are an American term for quilts.
Coverlet
Often embroidered with decorative stitching, a coverlet adds a layer of interest to a bed. It can be folded at the end of a bed, like this one, or act as a quilt and finish at the pillows.
Often embroidered with decorative stitching, a coverlet adds a layer of interest to a bed. It can be folded at the end of a bed, like this one, or act as a quilt and finish at the pillows.
Hospital corners
Nothing looks neater than a bed made with hospital corners. The name comes from the technique nurses use to keep sheets taut under patients. Simply tuck the end of a flat sheet in first, lift up the side, and fold in the corner before tucking it all snugly into place.
Nothing looks neater than a bed made with hospital corners. The name comes from the technique nurses use to keep sheets taut under patients. Simply tuck the end of a flat sheet in first, lift up the side, and fold in the corner before tucking it all snugly into place.
Doonas, quilts and duvets
The word you use to describe these popular winter warmers will depend on where you come from. Australians typically use Doona and quilt, Brits use duvet and Americans use comforter. Bedding shops in Australia tend to avoid Doona (which is a trademarked product) in favour of continental quilt. They can be filled with duck or goose down or feathers, wool, cotton or synthetic blends, and are available in lighter weights for summer. Removable covers are a defining characteristic.
The word you use to describe these popular winter warmers will depend on where you come from. Australians typically use Doona and quilt, Brits use duvet and Americans use comforter. Bedding shops in Australia tend to avoid Doona (which is a trademarked product) in favour of continental quilt. They can be filled with duck or goose down or feathers, wool, cotton or synthetic blends, and are available in lighter weights for summer. Removable covers are a defining characteristic.
Bed scarves
A bed scarf – known by some as a coverlet – is a decorative blanket, folded quilt or fabric strip that lies across a bed for decoration. White bedding is the perfect companion for bed scarves – changing the look of your room can be done in a snap with a different colour, pattern or material. A simple fold has turned this woollen blanket into the loveliest of bed scarves – the options are endless.
A bed scarf – known by some as a coverlet – is a decorative blanket, folded quilt or fabric strip that lies across a bed for decoration. White bedding is the perfect companion for bed scarves – changing the look of your room can be done in a snap with a different colour, pattern or material. A simple fold has turned this woollen blanket into the loveliest of bed scarves – the options are endless.
A bed scarf can also be multi-layered and sit flat on the bed close to the pillows, in the middle of the bed or at the foot.
Bed skirts, dust ruffles and valances
These terms are bandied around seemingly at random but there is a difference between each of them. A bed skirt is inserted between the mattress and bed base to fall to the floor around the edges of the bed. A dust ruffle, on the other hand, is an elasticised frill tucked in just under the mattress (or attached by Velcro) to achieve the same effect. A valance gives a smart, tailored look to a bed and is usually quilted or made with box pleats. The bed above bed sports a valance.
These terms are bandied around seemingly at random but there is a difference between each of them. A bed skirt is inserted between the mattress and bed base to fall to the floor around the edges of the bed. A dust ruffle, on the other hand, is an elasticised frill tucked in just under the mattress (or attached by Velcro) to achieve the same effect. A valance gives a smart, tailored look to a bed and is usually quilted or made with box pleats. The bed above bed sports a valance.
Throw
I’m not sure who came up with this term but it couldn’t be more apt for the soft knitted or woven piece you throw on the bed to cosy it up and add instant casual style.
I’m not sure who came up with this term but it couldn’t be more apt for the soft knitted or woven piece you throw on the bed to cosy it up and add instant casual style.
Foot locker
This is the name for a chest that sits down the end of the bed. The name comes from the military – soldiers typically keep a lockable trunk for their belongings at the foot of their bed.
YOU TELL US
What do you layer on top of your bed for decoration? Share your thoughts and high-resolution photos in the comments section below.
MORE
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This is the name for a chest that sits down the end of the bed. The name comes from the military – soldiers typically keep a lockable trunk for their belongings at the foot of their bed.
YOU TELL US
What do you layer on top of your bed for decoration? Share your thoughts and high-resolution photos in the comments section below.
MORE
Designer Insider: How to Make Your Bed Like a Stylist
Make Your Bed and Lie in It: 13 Creative DIY Bedheads
7 Ways to Make Your Bedroom Dreams Come True
Breakfast in Bed…And Other Important Activities
We all know what a pillow case is, but what’s a pillow sham? Often quilted or in a colour or design that matches the quilt cover, pillow shams are discarded before sleep and replaced in the morning when you make your bed.