A hotel bed at home: how to do it

A hotel bed looks calm and inviting. The sheets are taut, the pillows stand in a row, the duvet lies loosely on top. The good news: you do not need a hotel for this. With the right bed linen and a few simple steps, you can do it at home too.

White and tone on tone

Many hotels choose white bed linen. It looks fresh and tidy, and it is easy to combine. If you prefer something a little warmer, go tone on tone: fitted sheet, duvet cover and pillowcases in the same colour or in close shades such as white and beige.

Sateen suits the typical hotel feel. Our Sateen Bed Linen Set is made of 100 % cotton sateen with a thread count of 400. It has a subtle sheen and feels cool on warm nights. The set includes a duvet cover and two pillowcases, available in white, beige and sand, among other colours.

To find out what lies behind the thread count, read the article The truth about thread count.

Pull the fitted sheet taut

The basis of a hotel bed is a taut sleeping surface. First pull the fitted sheet over the two corners at the head end, then over the corners at the foot end. Then stroke it out from the middle towards the edges so that no wrinkles remain.

The right size is important. Our Sateen Fitted Sheet is elasticated all round and made for mattresses up to 40 cm deep. It matches our sateen bed linen.

If you like it classic, add a flat sheet as well. Our sateen flat sheet comes in 180 × 280 and 270 × 280 cm. The generous dimensions let you tuck the sheet well under the mattress.

Shake out and align the duvet

A hotel duvet looks full and airy. Take your duvet by the two top corners and shake it out firmly. This spreads the filling evenly in the cover.

Then lay the duvet on the bed so that it hangs down equally on both sides. Run the flat of your hand over it from the middle to the edges. At the head end you can fold back the top quarter once. This shows the fitted sheet and makes the bed look open and inviting.

How to get the cover onto the duvet with ease is shown in our guide Putting on a duvet cover made easy.

Pillows in rows

Pillows give the bed height and structure. In hotels they usually stand in two rows:

At the back: two larger pillows, for example 65 × 65 cm, leaning upright against the headboard.
At the front: two 50 × 70 cm pillows, flat or leaning slightly in front.

In Switzerland the long 65 × 100 cm pillow is also common. A single 65 × 100 cm suits a narrower bed well.

Shake each pillow briefly before setting it up. Our Down Pillow has plenty of loft and keeps its shape this way. Our pillowcases have a hotel closure: a folded-in fabric flap on the back holds the pillow in the case, with no buttons at all. Which formats are available is explained in our guide to pillow sizes in Switzerland.

A throw at the foot end

A throw at the foot end completes the look. It brings a second texture to the bed and is close at hand on cool evenings.

Fold our Throw made of merino wool and cashmere lengthways and lay it across the lower third of the bed. At 140 × 200 cm it is large enough to keep you warm on the sofa too. The throw is made in Lithuania. For care, we recommend professional cleaning.

Every morning in 2 minutes

A hotel bed does not have to be a lot of effort. This short routine is enough for every morning:

Fold back the duvet and let the bed air briefly while you get ready.
Run the flat of your hand over the fitted sheet.
Shake out the duvet by the corners and lay it on the bed.
Shake the pillows and set them in their rows.
Fold the throw and lay it at the foot end.

The more often you do it, the faster it goes.

Caring for hotel bed linen

White bed linen stays beautiful if you wash it correctly. You can wash our bed linen at up to 60 °C. For regular care we recommend 40 °C on a gentle cycle. Wash light and dark colours separately and avoid bleach and fabric softener. Sateen does not need ironing.

Frequently asked questions

What bed linen do hotels use?

That varies from hotel to hotel. Many hotels choose white cotton. Our Sateen Bed Linen Set made of 100 % cotton sateen is one option for your home.

What is a hotel closure?

A hotel closure is a folded-in fabric flap on the back of the pillowcase. It holds the pillow in the case without buttons or a zip.

How many pillows do I need for a hotel bed?

For a double bed, four pillows in two rows are usual. But two pillows work too.

A hotel bed at home: how to make your bed like a hotel