The Messy Bed

Yes, it’s actually a Thing.

I recently read about a new trend – The Messy Bed.

It sounded interesting and fun.  So I decided to try it.

Believe it or not, there is a technique to creating a messy bed.  Can you believe I just said creating a messy bed???  It’s not quite right if you just get out of bed in the morning and leave it.  It must be styled to look messy.   There is a difference.

Go figure…

Here is my checklist against the list of things needed for styling a Messy Bed:

• A headboard or wall at the head of the bed to rest pillows against. Check.

• A little elevation – it will not do if your mattress is on the floor.  It needs to be at least a few inches off the floor. This gives height for blankets and throws to drape. (And anyway, if you’re an adult, your mattress should not be on the floor.) Check.

• Washed linen bedding is the perfect look for unmade beds.  I have a washed linen duvet cover, pillows and bed skirt.  Check.

• Fluff – the look is more successful if your bedding is lofty.  Flat blankets and coverlets do not lend themselves as well to the intentionally rumpled look. I have down comforters and lofty pillows. Check.

• Varied textures add depth and interest.  The textures on my bed are subtle – matelasse, ruffles, washed linen and embroidery – but they should work. Check.

• Piles of pillows add volume.  Check.

• Lots of layers.  Check.

• Multiple colors.  All monochromatic bedding will work for this look but it will take a lot of layers and texture.  It’s easier to achieve with color. We will see.  I don’t think I’m going to go out and buy new bedding just to make a Messy Bed.  Half-check.

• Careful draping.  The final touch is a throw blanket tossed and draped over the foot of the bed.  Check.

So here’s what I came away with about the Messy Bed:

It was fun to style, and I kind of liked the look.

BUT…

• It’s hard to leave it alone.  If I made my bed this way every day, I would go insane because every time I walked into the room, (and I walk in here a lot because this room is on the way to my office!) I would be messing with it.  I would constantly be re-draping duvets and throws and adjusting pillows to try to create the most perfect Messy Bed I could make.

• You have to straighten everything up before you go to bed or all your bedding ends up on the floor during the night.

• It’s exhausting.  Between the original styling and the constant tweaking, it takes about four times more time and energy to make a Messy Bed than it does to make the bed.

Kind of the same amount of time and energy it takes to achieve Messy Hair.  You know — the tousled, messy, beachy, wavy style that looks all casual and carefree.  But actually takes an hour and a half to style.

Seriously, between styling my bed and my hair – I would never get out of the house!