How to Elevate a White Bed

When it comes to bedding, white might be the most iconic shade of all. No matter where you stand on the minimalist to maximalist scale, there’s no denying that white bed linen has stood the test of time — and that’s not to say white bedding looks haven’t evolved over the years. We prefer to think of this timeless hue as a perfect canvas for interior design trends. We wager that whatever your aesthetic Pinterest board holds, it would pair beautifully with a set of crisp white sheets.

But white bedding doesn’t have to be relegated to a supporting role in your bedroom decor. On the contrary, an all-white bed can be the star of the show (the show being your bedroom). Light, airy, and endlessly versatile, white bedding can lend a soothing, contemporary feel to your space. All you need is some quality bedding (you’ve come to the right place) and a few simple guidelines, and you’ll be relaxing in your own modern oasis in no time.

With the help of Interior Stylist, Fiona Gould, we’re here to share the golden rules for styling an all-white bed.

As we mentioned earlier, the best place to start your contemporary styling journey is with good quality bedding — and trust us when we say sheets are not the place to compromise on quality. Your sheets are more than likely the piece of bedding you will have the most next-to-skin contact with, so the first step is to find the right sheets for you. In this case, we’ve opted for our Byren Percale Sheet Set. Its crisp and lightweight handle is perfect for the light and airy feel that we’re after.

When it comes to styling white sheets, we want our space to feel inviting and visually interesting. The best way to achieve this is by adding depth and texture — and how do we accomplish this? Layering. We want our bed to look plush and enticing, rather than flat.

Our favourite styling trick is to take the top of our flat sheet and fold it back over the top of your quilt cover. This allows you to showcase your beautiful, crisp sheets and adds an extra visual layer to the top of your bedding. Besides, now that you’ve found your new favourite sheets, why not show them off?

Oh, and one final note on sheets — we recommend keeping your bedding fresh with the help of a trusty mattress protector. It’s seriously worth it.

Your quilt cover is the largest piece of this bedding puzzle, meaning it plays a large part in setting the tone for your space. Styling a modern, airy space is all about gentle statement pieces — introducing points of interest that elevate your space without feeling overpowering. This is especially relevant if you want your bedroom to have a calm and refreshing feel.

For an all-white bedding look, we can’t go past our Parker Quilt Cover Set. Its geometric print features subtly textured lines and just a hint of ochre — it's the perfect pop of interest we need to keep our white bedding feeling fresh and modern. Crafted from a linen-cotton blend, it’s crisp and breathable — perfect for year-round layering without feeling too heavy in the warmer months.

Remember when we mentioned we want our bedding to look plush and enticing? This is where our vision really starts to take shape. One of the more customisable elements of your bedding, pillows and cushions come in all shapes and sizes, making them perfect for building up those layers we’re after.

Our top tip for styling pillows and cushions is to work from biggest to smallest. Place your biggest pieces (like European pillows) at the back against the headboard or wall, depending on your set-up. Next, layer your standard pillows in the middle of this bedding-sandwich. Finally, top it off with smaller, decorative pieces, like an accent cushion at the front. Ordering your pillows by size will build out your bedding and allow you to showcase every piece.

Have fun playing with textural combinations. We’ve chosen our Parker European Pillowcase for a cohesive look, and paired them with the Abbotson Linen Breakfast Cushion in ochre to really highlight that subtle colour in our Parker design. Say goodbye to drab, flat bedding and hello to your most plush bed yet.

An added bonus? Stacking pillows adds height to your bedding, so those of us without a headboard can fake it ‘til we make it.

A bed cover or throw is the cherry on top (or rather, on the foot of the bed). With a variety of looks and feels to choose from, these layers add a nice, cosy element to your bedding. Our pick for a monochromatic moment? Something with a hint of texture, like our Abbotson Linen Bed Cover.

When styling throws, we like to drape them over the bed rather than folding them too tightly. By letting the fabric drape naturally, it’ll showcase their texture and make sure they don’t get lost in the layers of white.