Styling your main bedroom

Presenting your bedroom to buyers

Dec 01, 2025

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Bedrooms and especially main bedrooms are private spaces and it's uncommon for others to be invited into this personal area of your home. As a result, it's entirely natural for buyers to feel that they are intruding on someone else's privacy when they step into a bedroom. This underscores the importance of finding ways to ensure your bedrooms are presented in such a way that they are instead considered places of comfort.

The Importance of Setting the Right Bedroom Atmosphere

When walking into a high-quality BnB or a luxurious five-star hotel room, the attention to detail makes you feel welcome, and at ease. You could almost believe that no one else has ever slept in the bed and that it has been exclusively prepared for you. This level of care and thoughtfulness is precisely what you should aim for when presenting your bedroom to buyers. An inviting bedroom can make potential buyers feel like they belong in the space.

Mastering the Art of Bed Making

One of the critical methods for enhancing the overall appearance of any bedroom is by focusing on the way you make your beds. Below is a step-by-step guide you can use to create a bed poised for a professional photoshoot and inspections.

Step 1: Start with a Level Base

Begin by ensuring that the mattress is even and smooth.

Step 2: Check the Bed Head and Bed End

Ensure the bed head and end are clean and in good condition.

Step 3: Clear Under-Bed Space

Ensure nothing under the bed might be visible in photos or inspections.

Step 4: Enhance the Bed Base

To enhance the bed's presentation, address the bed base's appearance. Consider using a bed skirt or bed wrap if the base remains visible even with the duvet or comforter on the bed. For a budget-friendly option, you can use a fitted sheet. Bed skirts are available in a range of prices, from $18 to $150.

Pro Tip: Ironing your chosen Manchester, including the bed skirt, can change its look dramatically. Another option is using a steam iron to remove wrinkles for a polished look.

Step 5: Invest in Well-Fitting Bed Linens

Invest in well-fitting bed linens, including a fitted bottom sheet and two matching pillowcases. Standard mattress depths typically range from 20 to 35 cm but can be as deep as 38 to 46 cm. Keep this in mind when choosing a bottom sheet, as its purpose is to wrap securely underneath the mattress and cover its sides entirely.

Step 6: Top Sheets for Personal Use

If you intend to sleep in the bed during the campaign and prefer to use a top sheet, be sure to select one that matches the other linens.

Pro Tip: When buying new items, consider investing in higher-quality options, especially if you plan to use them beyond the sales campaign, perhaps in your new home. Just remember to prioritize styling your current home in line with the recommendations here rather than solely focusing on personal preferences.

Pro Tip: Remember to wash your hands before handling the Manchester. If you want to be particularly careful, you might want to consider wearing some gloves to avoid oils passing on to the soft furnishings.

Step 7: Opt for White

Choose white linens to keep it simple yet stylish. That's what people expect when they are staying at a top-notch vocation. If you would prefer to use coloured sheets, choose neutral tones that seamlessly blend with the room's decor.

Pro Tip: You want buyers to be drenched in a sense of calm when viewing your room and not distracted by any particular item you have chosen.

Step 8: Select a Well-Fluffed Duvet or Doona

Choose a well-fluffed duvet, doona, or quilt to cover the mattress smoothly. Ensure it hangs evenly on both sides and completely covers the bottom sheet. You can find king-size options at retailers like KMart, Spotlight, and Target for around $30.

Step 9: Opt for a Versatile White Duvet Cover

When it comes to selecting a duvet cover, white often emerges as the most convenient and practical choice due to its inherent versatility and timeless charm. However, it's essential to recognize that there are various shades of white, each with its unique texture. When choosing the style of your white duvet cover for your bed(s), exercise caution by considering the shade and texture. White is a reliable option that effortlessly infuses brightness into your room, serving as an excellent foundation for further enhancements. Moreover, opting for a white duvet cover simplifies the process of coordinating cushions and throw rugs with your room's decor.

Pro Tip: Alternatively, if you feel confident about using a coloured or patterned cover, remember that specific patterns might appear distorted in photos and could potentially diminish the room's overall sense of calm.

Step 10: Dressing your Duvet

There are many methods people use for putting a cover on a duvet. Do what's most effortless for you while keeping the cover as wrinkle-free as possible. I like to turn the doona inside out and match the bottom corners of the cover with the bottom of the duvet. Then I bring the cover-up over the duvet, turning it the right way as I go.

Pro Tip: For a polished look, consider folding down the top of the duvet or comforter about a third of the way to reveal the crisp white bedding beneath. With this method, the cushions sit on the base sheet.

Step 11: Perfect Pillow Presentation

Many people often sleep on different-sized pillows or different-sized pillows than their partner, which is to be expected. However, when it comes to styling your home, avoid mismatched sizes and colours for a cohesive look. Instead, consider purchasing pillows exclusively for display purposes. Opt for 2 matching pillow covers that coordinate with your sheets and an additional 2 matching pillow covers for your duvet cover.

Pro Tip: If you don't require new pillows for your own use, consider purchasing the more budget-friendly options available. I frequently opt for economical pillows from retailers like KMart or Target. Personally, I favour the ones that come individually packaged in plastic wrapping. This way, I can keep them in their original packaging when in use, ensuring they remain plump and full when inserted into the pillowcase. You'll find pillows at KMart and Target ranging from $5.40 to $25.00, providing a cost-effective solution for your needs.

Step 12: Elevate the Look with a Few European Pillows

To introduce an extra touch of sophistication, contemplate incorporating European pillows into your bedding arrangement, especially if your bed lacks a headboard or is a super king size. Be discerning in your choice, as some European pillows may lack sufficient padding to rest plumply on the bed.

Pro Tip: Explore the choices at Ikea, where you can find polyester European pillows priced at $19 and feather European pillows at $32 each. While both options are acceptable, I favour feather pillows' plumpness, especially for use after the sale.

Step 13: Add some Colourful Cushions

Cushions play an integral role in unifying the overall appearance of the bed. When picking cushion colours, opt for serene, sophisticated, and premium shades that exude quality and refinement. Preferred colours encompass deep blues, rich burnt oranges, and muted greens. Avoid colours like vivid pinks, bright reds, solid purples and fluro yellows in the primary bedroom unless the decor scheme calls explicitly for them. Research current trends in bed styling to stay in sync, but choose what best complements the room.

Pro Tip: When choosing colours for any room, begin with the existing colour palette and select shades that match or harmonise. Additionally, draw inspiration from the colours present in the outdoor surroundings for your cushion colours and textures. This establishes a connection between indoors and out and ensures that the chosen colours are pleasing, as they reflect the natural colours we encounter daily in nature, which are often safe and universally appealing choices.

Step 14: Add the Finishing Touch with a Throw

Consider a throw rug at the end of the bed or folding a blanket or coverlet over the bed's length, with a throw rug draped over the corner. It's incredible how this extra step can complete the look of the bed and balance everything properly.

Step 15: Stand Back to Assess Your Work

After completing the previous steps, stand back and assess your work meticulously.

Ensure everything is symmetrical and evenly spaced, creating a sense of balance and order. Remember, the details matter, and a well-prepared bedroom can make your property stand out in a competitive market.

By following these steps to make your bed look photo-ready, you can create an inviting and comfortable space that resonates with potential buyers or guests. If you want more information about how to present your property for sale, check out our other blogs or get in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you.