How to Choose the Right Bedspread: Size, Fabric and Cushion Layering
A made bed with the right drop, the right fabric, and the right number of cushions, whatever your bed width.
Linens airing outside before they go back on the bed.
A bedspread is one of the fastest ways to make a bed look finished, but only if it's the right size and draped the right way. Get the proportions wrong and it reads as an afterthought rather than the layer that pulls everything together.
Short answer: Measure your bed's width, not the mattress's. A 180×260 cm bedspread suits a single or double bed with a neat drop on the sides, 240×260 cm suits queen and king, and 274×274 cm gives the most generous drop on any size. Layer your cushions in three: large bed cushions at the back, sleeping pillows in front of those, and one or two accent cushions at the very front.
Folded and stacked, ready to go back on the bed.
What bedspread size fits my bed?
Always measure your bed's full width, frame included, not just the mattress. A bedspread that only covers the mattress reads as cut short rather than made.
| Bed width | Bed type | Recommended size |
|---|---|---|
| 90 cm | Single | 180 × 260 cm |
| 120 cm | Single, wide | 180 × 260 cm |
| 140 cm | Double | 180 × 260 cm |
| 160 cm | Queen | 240 × 260 cm |
| 180 cm | King | 240 × 260 cm, or 274 × 274 cm for maximum drop |
180×260 cm gives a neat, close drop on a single or double bed. 240×260 cm is built for queen and king, with margin left on the sides. 274×274 cm is the largest option, for anyone who wants a generous drop all the way round, regardless of bed size. If your bed falls outside this table, a continental bed with a tall base, for instance, a custom size can be made to order.
A quilted bedspread with two cushions layered at the head of the bed.
What fabric should I choose?
A bedspread and a duvet are not the same thing. A bedspread is meant to lie flat and hold its shape day after day, not fill up and puff like a duvet. That's why quilting matters: straight, stitched channels hold the padding in place, so the surface stays even instead of migrating into clumps after a few washes.
100% cotton is the easiest material to live with for a bedspread that's out on display every day. Ours is hand-sewn in Stockholm from fabric sourced in France and England, and recommended for dry cleaning rather than machine washing, specifically to keep the quilting and the stitching intact over time.
Building the cushion layers, one at a time.
How to layer the cushions
The secret to a bed that reads as considered is in how the cushions build in height, not in how many you own.
- Bed cushions at the back, leaned against the headboard or wall. The largest cushions belong here, 90×50 cm is a good starting point.
- Sleeping pillows in front, in the standard 60×50 cm size, the pair you actually sleep on every night.
- One or two accent cushions at the very front, in a contrasting colour or texture. 40×60 cm is a common size for a decorative cushion in this position.
- A bolster cushion, if you want one last horizontal element, usually sits furthest forward, across the others. 15×35 cm is a common size.
More layers isn't always better. Three tiers, bed cushions, sleeping pillows, accent cushions, is enough to create depth without making the bed harder to clear every morning.
How to make the bed, step by step
- Pull the fitted sheet smooth and taut over the mattress.
- Shake out the duvet and pillows so the filling settles evenly.
- Tuck the duvet into its cover and fold the top edge down about 20–30 cm.
- Build the cushions in layers, as above.
- Lay the bedspread over the whole bed and even out the edges so the drop is level on both sides.
Airing the bedding for 15–20 minutes before you make the bed makes a real difference, it lets the night's moisture escape and keeps the materials fresher for longer.
Our own bedspread is made to order in Stockholm, from fabric sourced in France and England, in seven colours designed to match the rest of our bedding collection.