This post was, as is often the case, brought on by you guys. I keep getting comments and questions on how I make a bed or how beds are made in Sweden.
I obviously can't speak for all Swedes out there but I do sense that we make a simpler bed than the average American. I also know it's made differently from how it's (used to be?) made in Germany, at least from my experience of super thick and very short duvets at my relative's houses.
Anyway, when Martin and Wille were away after Christmas I took the opportunity to wash all the bedding in all the beds and took photos of when I made the one in the boatroom. For your viewing pleasure.
What you see above is the matress (covered in a washable stretch cotton cover). I have no idea what it's called in English but it's basically what we sleep on. I've had hernia comments before but I guess it's similar to US box springs?
Normally you would get a bedskirt that covers the matress and goes down the sides but I do my own version which you can check out more closely here.
On top of the bed skirt goes the overlay matress. This one is about 2 cm (3/4") thick but you can get thicker ones too. On the double bed upstairs and on Wille's bed they are about 5 cm ( 2") thick.
I use washable pads for the overlay matress. They are thin padded flat covers with elastics diagonally over the corners. I wash these about every second or third time I wash the sheets.
A flat sheet or fitted sheet goes over the top of the overlay mattress and cover.
The pillow is protected by a similar cover as the one that goes over the overlay mattress and again isn't washed everytime but maybe every second or third time. The pillow inside stays fresher with this on.
A regular cotton pillowcase goes over the cover. Ah, the freshness of clean sheets makes me want to go to bed right now.
Pillow(s) gets plonked on the bed, as many as you like but Martin just wants one.
Comforter or duvet in cover goes on top. I like to fold in the sides for neatness. Martin doesn't like down (too warm) which is why his bed looks really flat whereas my downy one is more fluffy and puffy. On the double bed I fold the duvets so the sides meet in the middle and the outer edges are folded in.
And there it is bedspread and cushions on top, en svensk säng, a Swedish bed.
