The secret to an inviting bed is styling it with a mix of textures. Throughout my time working at a luxury linens boutique, I learned that layering unexpected materials is a fail-proof recipe for creating this cozy and lived-in, yet elevated feel we all crave in our bedrooms. In Jennifer Aniston's former bedroom, her designer, Stephen Shadley, nails the look.
Shadley took to Instagram to share an image of Aniston's bedroom. He states: 'A bedroom I designed with Jen. We set the bed inside a walnut plinth and raised it all above the floor on a carpeted platform.' Though the bed itself is gorgeous, it's the bedding that makes the natural wood stand out all the more. The designer has combined a light gray linen duvet with a textured darker gray and white woven blanket. A set of purple velvet pillows take centerstage, drawing the eye up. They are the perfect contrast to the white, padded headboard behind the bed.
If you are hoping to learn how to style your own bed in a similarly eye-catching way, you've come to right place. One of the most interesting and well-kept secrets I learned working in the bedding industry, is that many interior designers, no matter how talented or well-educated they are, know very little about buying bedding. Instead, they rely on industry experts. The sizing, and number of pieces needed to make a bed look fully 'polished' can feel opaque and confusing, even for those who pride themselves on design knowledge.
Thus, the first lesson to decode the complexities of Jennifer Aniston's cozy bed is understanding the number of pieces that went into the design. One of the most common bedding mistakes I see people making is underdressing the bed, with only pillowcases and a duvet. This almost always looks overly casual, and can undercut even the most beautiful designs.
To create a similar, layered look, you will need at least 13 items. These include: a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, a duvet cover, a down or down alternative comforter, a throw blanket, 2 pillowcases, 2 decorative shams, and 4 pillow inserts. It's important to note that luxury bed sheets are often sold separately, while more accessible lines tend to sell fitted sheets, flat sheets, and pillowcases as part of a set.
If you want to make a bed look more expensive, as stated above, texture is key. In this bedroom, the mixture of relaxed linen with luxurious velvet in particular creates an interesting contrast that gives the bed its relaxed yet sumptuous feel. Velvet pillows are one of my favorite ways to bring in texture because their reflection of light always makes a space look more interesting. You could also try an alpaca or cashmere throw, silk sheets, or a quilted duvet to elevate a simple design.
If you like the structured, uniform look of Aniston's bedroom, you must design with symmetry. Be sure to consult with a bedding expert to ensure you have enough pillows to go along the front of the bed for an intentional, linear design.
Whether or not Jennifer Aniston's bed is your style, choosing the right pieces and integrating texture will steer you right in your bedroom design every time.
