Today is DAY #1 of my 11 in 2011 challenge!
Are you ready??
{If you don’t know what I’m talking about, click here to read all about it.}
Don’t worry, I’m starting out with the easiest one of the bunch. It’s something that takes less than 5 minutes a day but it can totally transform your room from a cluttery-looking mess to a peaceful, organized “oasis”!
OK, well maybe it’s not THAT special, but it does make your room look a whole lot more inviting.
Goal #1: Make your bed
Are you one of those people who hates making the bed? Or are you indifferent…but don’t take the time to do this simple task each day? Whatever side you fall on, my goal is to convince you that making your bed is one simple thing you can do {right now} to move you towards a less cluttered, more organized, more inviting home.
With that said, here are 10 reasons why you should make your bed:
1. A nicely made bed usually prevents you from going back to bed and wasting valuable time!
2. It gives you a sense of accomplishment first thing each morning.
3. It’s a great way to show off your bedding, which you probably paid good money for.
4. It makes your room look so much more inviting than if you leave it unmade {see images below!}
5. It INSTANTLY de-clutters your room — even if there’s a bunch of clutter in the closet or under the bed 🙂
6. A “made bed” provides a great surface for folding laundry or other tasks.
7. You can make your bed even if you’re half asleep — and you just might be!
8. It’s a great habit to model for your children {who should also make their beds}
9. It prevents dust and dirt from getting under the covers.
10. It’s a quick and easy way to simplify and organize the year ahead!
Have I convinced you yet?
Making your bed is such a great goal to have for 2011 — I do EVERY day. Honestly, I don’t even remember the last time I didn’t make my bed…I was probably in middle school!
Do you make your bed?
If not, march right down to your room and make it today…then do it again tomorrow!
Linda says
I agree! Making your best is the least a normal person could do. I always teld my children to make their bed every morning.
Nancy says
Haha! I think i’ll start making my bed tomorrow.
Walter says
Very useful tips. I inspired. I hope many people will be motivated and managed their beds after reading this.
Thank you Andrea.
Bobby says
Honestly great tips, I always make my bed, and i think its a great habit for children. Also, this changes my bedroom environment.
Andrea says
yes! making the bed is essential for me. Even when I’m sick or so exhausted, making the bed helps me feel happy every time I walk into my room!
Doris Graham says
Oh, I did not like making my bed good. Well, after having a kid who does not like it too! I changed my habit. Now I made my bed and your point is really true. This provides wrong moral in our kids too! Thanks for sharing it!
Wendy says
What if I never leave my bed lol. Anyway great tips. Since I love it so much it’s important to keep my bed clean and beautiful all the time. But sometimes I’m too lazy to do things you know:(
Andrea says
haha 🙂
Lorna says
Hmmm… as a child, I made my bed every day. As a young mom, I required that the beds be made before breakfast. As a mom of teenagers, it was one of those battles I chose not to fight. I used to make the bed every morning upon arising however….. my allergist told me at one point that it’s not a good idea to make it immediately… it should be allowed to air so the dampness that often comes from a snuggley warm bed can dry out – which in turn, keeps the dust mites from multiplying as fast.
So, I make the bed when I change the sheets. I make the bed occasionally when I need to feel organized and less stressed and harried. I DO love the sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing the bed made each day… but I have bad allergies to dust/dust mites and it does seem to help to allow the bed to air each morning. I don’t spend much time in the bedroom once I leave in the morning so it’s not like I have to look at it every time I walk by the room.
🙂 L
Kathleen says
I just made my bed–and my children’s beds. You are so right, it’s an instant pick-me-up–once I got the beds made, I was inspired to fold clothes, put them away, and tidy up stray clutter. Thank you! Your bedroom is LOVELY, by the way–just lovely.
Melissa Medendorp says
Can I ask what is the yellow blanket and where did you get it? Is it a duvet cover? Thanks.
Andrea says
The “yellow blanket” is actually a down comforter with a cream duvet cover. The duvet cover is from Pottery Barn… several years ago.
Emily says
Another reason? the bed takes up about 80% of the room… so when you make the bed, you have just tidied 80% of the room, and now the other 20% doesn’t seem like so much, and you just might stop and pick up the clothes and tidy the dresser while you’re at it. 🙂
Andrea says
Good one Emily! You’re right, making the bed gives a totally new outlook on the entire room.
brooklyn says
I love love love your headboard! I’ve been looking for a similar one for a long time! Where did you find it?!
Andrea says
Thanks Brooklyn — I actually got the entire bed (headboard and footboard) from a junk yard! It’s a REAL iron bed, which means it’s only a double bed — they didn’t make queen beds back then). But I just got a queen bed frame and attached it to the headboard and foot board. You can’t even tell though!
Just keep looking at thrift stores and on craigslist…something is bound to pop up!
Bobbie says
I make my bed 6 days out of 7 usually. Cant seem to make it every day- but I hate to come home and see it in a mess, and with your great reasons, I am going to make this a goal for 2011 too. Cant wait to see your other goals.
Julia says
Thanks for spurring me to do this. I’m off right now!
Ashley Pichea says
So I had never thought about #9 before… that in itself is enough motivation! We make “making the bed” even simpler at our house by eliminating all the “extras” – nothing on the bed other than the basic covers and necessary pillows!
oh amanda says
I’ve always had the rule, “The last person in the bed makes it.” And since I’m the first one up…well, maybe I should forward this to my husband. 🙂
Ashley Pichea says
@Amanda – That’s my rule, too, but my husband STILL hasn’t received the memo after five-and-a-half years… LOL!
Merry120 says
I’ve never been a bed maker & I’m still not. Thankfully we have a nanny who is. I must admit that I really love having it made now though not enough to do it on the weekends. 🙂
Kim says
Yes! Make the bed every day and it is so good to be able to fold laundry, read a book to a child or lay there to make a phone call. My kids are still perfecting the habit but it is on their chore list!
Sonja says
I love your reasons! I make our bed every day, usually first thing for many of the reasons you stated. I also keep another reason in mind, and it may sound corny, but I do it out of respect to our marriage. I see our bed as a “sacred ground” of sorts and I like to make sure it’s pretty and inviting every day. We recently stayed at a hotel and I did not make the bed. But when we came back from dinner and saw that the maid had come in and done the “turn down service” – I was practically giddy! It’s a simple luxury that everyone deserves, but it’s also really nice when someone else does it for you!
heidi @ wonder woman wannabe says
i totally agree – making the bed every day was a goal i’ve started (and for the most part, stuck with) since we moved this fall. i think it helped that i purchased new bedding that i WANTED to show off! 😉
cheers!
~h
Heather @ Mrs. Southern Bride says
I love your list of reasons! Can’t wait to see the rest of the 11 goals!
Colletta says
Making the bed with husband still in it:
Just pull the covers up and arrange them over top of him. The only thing I can’t really fix are his pillows. But I try! lol
Emily says
Any tips on how to make your bed with your husband still in it??? That would be the one thing that I haven’t figured out yet.
Jill says
I am with you. My husband is still in bed when I get up. I just make it after he gets up. The problem I have is that I like more covers on the bed then my husband does. He states he gets to warm and I am always cold with out a lot of blankets.
Colletta says
I make my bed every day, as soon as I get up. If my husband or my little one (someitmes she comes in the middle of the night) are still in the bed I make it right over top of them and tell them they better fix it when they get up. I usually end up doing it but I can not stand a messy bed in the day time.
When my husband works night shift and is sleeping during the day it about drives me crazy that the bed isn’t made!
Stacey says
I always make my bed!! I even start making it before I crawl out of it.
Monika says
You had me at dust and dirt under the covers. Blech!