Making your bed is an essential daily task that often gets overlooked, but it’s an easy way to bring tidiness and a sense of accomplishment to your day. Here are 12 steps to help you expertly make your bed.

1. Remove all unnecessary items: Clear off any pillows, stuffed animals, or other items that may be on your bed.

2. Smooth out the mattress pad/topper: Ensure it’s evenly distributed and free of wrinkles before making the bed.

3. Put on the fitted sheet: Start at one corner of the bed, tugging the fitted sheet down and under the mattress. Move to the opposite diagonal corner and repeat until all four corners are secure.

4. Position the flat sheet: Lay the flat sheet over the fitted sheet with its top edge aligned to the head of the bed. Make sure it is evenly distributed on both sides of the mattress.

5. Tuck in the bottom edges: At the foot of the bed, tuck in both sides of the flat sheet under the mattress to create a tightly sealed edge.

6. Make hospital corners: Lift up one side of the flat sheet about 12 inches from a bottom corner of your bed, creating a triangle with a right angle at the corner. Tuck in any excess fabric underneath while holding your triangle in place and then tuck down any remaining loose fabric along both sides.

7. Repeat for other side: Follow step 6 on the opposite bottom corner, ensuring evenness on both sides.

8. Add your comforter or duvet cover: Lay it evenly over your flat sheet and smooth out any wrinkles or unevenness that may have occurred while adding it to your bed.

9. Fold down and tuck in top layers: Fold down roughly six inches of flat sheet and comforter or duvet from head of your bed, tucking them neatly together under mattress.

10. Position your main pillows: If you have sleeping pillows, prop them upright against the headboard.

11. Add decorative pillows or shams: Stack them in front of your main pillows—smaller, decorative pillows should be placed at the front while larger ones remain at the back.

12. Throw in a cozy touch: Drape a throw blanket across the foot of your bed for added warmth and style. This can be its own unique item or a folded comforter for those especially chilly nights.

With these 12 steps, you’ll have a satisfyingly arranged and inviting bed every day. Remember, practice makes perfect—so make your bed daily to instill good habits and master this essential life skill.