Flat Sheets

How to put a flat sheet onto a bed

Hospital corners look smart and elegant but can be tricky to perfect. Here’s how to put a flat sheet onto your bed in 5 easy steps.

1. Start at the foot of the bed and tuck the straight edge neatly between the mattress and bed base.

2. Go to the corner of the bed and lift the draping flat sheet to the side.

3. Tuck in the draping triangle between the mattress and the bed base.

4. Holding the corner in place, fold the part you were holding downwards at a 45 degree angle to the edge of the bed.

5. Repeat for all corners, and finally tuck the side in.

If hospital corners defeat you, then switch to a fitted sheet instead and use your flat sheets as top sheets instead.

How to use a flat sheet as a top sheet

Flat sheets can be used as top sheets to create the kind of luxurious appearance you’d see in a 5-star hotel.

1. Place your flat sheet on top of your base sheet and tuck it in, starting at the foot of the bed.

2. Keep around 30–45cm of the sheet untucked and allow this to lay flat over the pillows.

3. Place your duvet cover, bedspread or blankets on top of the sheet.

4. Fold back the loose section of the top sheet and lay it neatly over the upper layer of your bedding.

How do you make sure a flat sheet stays on the bed?

Ensuring a snug and crease-free fit of your flat sheet is all in the folding. Take a look at our guide on how to keep a sheet on your bed for everything you need to know.