When you think of fitted bedspreads you probably think of the image on the left, which is reminiscent of a 1970s motel room--all polyester quilting and tacky sheen. But how lovely is the one on the right? And how easy would it be to make the bed in the morning? You could achieve a polished, tailored bed without all the work!
These days bedding trends tend to lean either toward the minimalist, tucked-in look, or the layered puffiness of a Restoration Hardware catalog. Will the fitted bedspread look ever come back in fashion?
With a fitted bedspread, there are two sections, the top and the bed skirt, which usually covers the sides of the bed from the bed edge down to the floor. I like the look of the formal, tailored ones with inverted box pleats at the corners. Often these types of covers are made with slits at each corner so they can fit around the posts of a four-poster bed.
(Image: 1. Smidge House 2. Elle Decor)


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nope. this is weird
I hate it. I love seeing all the layers to a comfy bed. This looks so uncomfortable to me.
oh how timely! i got given one as birthday present last year by my mother... and she knows i don't like these things at all.
she hates me, i just know it.
I'm all about the tight hospital corner, so this appeals to me. It seems a little more polished than the rumpled duvets that are so popular now. I wonder if I could get my mom to make me one. She's a wiz with the sewing machine.
Would it be weird if it didn't go all the way to the floor?
I like the looks of it, but worry about getting my duvet to lay nice underneath. And would it be easier or harder to make the bed? I think in a spare room would be nice, where you only have to make the bed occassionally.
I like the retro look. .I've been thinking of making one in a neutral linen.
I'm with KRISTAB. I like the clean lines. I've always hated the 'puffy' bed with a comforter, tons of pillows, etc. I finally made my own bed 'set'. Like it much better.
Remember 'bed spreads"? I like those too!
oh god no!
I have a fitted cover. And because it's sized for a queen sized Ligne Roset bed, it's just a bit large on my full sized Malm Ikea bed. But it still actually looks good! I also use a big down comforter that when the bed is not being actively used, lives folded up at the foot of the bed. I rather like the set up.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Can't wait for these to be back big time!
Not a fan. So much of the bedcover ends up sweeping the floor while you're using it, because while it might lie neatly on the bed during the day, it's next to impossible to sleep that neatly unless you're comatose.
seems like it would look good in a mid-century bedroom. Appeals to me visually, but it doesn't look comfy.
I love it! I want one now.
I always liked the tailored look... but this works best with blankets not with comforters, so it kind of depends on the kind of "warmth" you like.
I don't like it. It just has bad vibes.
Those always creeped me out
I feel the same about these as I do about turtlenecks. Uncomfortable, stifling, claustrophobic, and something I've been forced into by an elderly relative I don't like.
I just don't see how these look welcoming. I could understand someone liking the clean lines - but a bed, to me, should feel and look inviting, cozy, lush, etc. I feel like sleeping under one of these would be reminiscent of wearing a straight jacket.
I looked again, and yes, bad vibes...hotel rooms..not the glam kind either..
Those two photos are poor ambassadors for the concept. You can revive fitted bedspreads without reviving earth tones and velour.
To the people who fear that a fitted bedspread would feel confining to sleep under: There are looser styles that are still fitted. The article mentions slits at the corners -- these slits can have a little tongue-like flap of more fabric underneath so the sheets don't show.
I remember growing up with a bedspread that was a flat top rectangle of quilted material, with side panels that were fuller, gathered, thinner fabric. That kind of contrast can define the shape of a bed and can provide a tailored look that feels classic, clean, and fresh. Even if you use the same material all over, you can gain a lot of elegance just by adding contrasting piping along the outline of the edges of the mattress.
These days, beds do seem to be all about marshmallowy plushness and a couple dozen whimsical pillows that have to be scraped off the surface every night (and stored ...where?). The tailored look of a well-done fitted bedspread can be an antidote that's simple-looking but sophisticated, restful and smart.
I'm halfway on this.
I have to admit, the over-puffy look of beds today doesn't appeal to me much, particularly the 5-billion-pillows-in-different-sizes trend. But these pictures remind me of the slithery thing my mum and dad bought in the 1970's. And they really only work with blankets and sheets underneath, not duvets/comforters.
My solution is: duvet folded during the day, stored on antique metal trunk at foot of bed. Bed cover is a super-heavy, white woven linen, that lies smooth and flat. Only 3 pillows.
I am the type of person who kicks my bedding free, likes me feet to stick out of the covers, etc. This would be the worst case scenario for me!
You are better buying a doona (feather quilt) 1 size large than the size of your bed. You can change the cover regularly for a different look and the long sizes will hang nicely.
You are better buying a doona (feather quilt) 1 size large than the size of your bed. You can change the cover regularly for a different look and the long sizes will hang nicely
*long sides
Years ago I was a chambermaid in a hotel that used these and they were a nightmare, very heavy and difficult to manoeuvre, getting the bedspread into perfect place - because if it's not perfect it's a mess, no in-between - took nearly as long as making the entire rest of the bed (including changing all the sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases).
Oh and I also don't like how they look.
I second the above. Anyone with experience as a chambermaid knows all too well the horror of these things.
I love the fitted, or tailored, bedspreads! I prefer ones that are loose, and hang down with the bottom panel not sewn to the side panels. I had one for my king bed, and it took far less room than the puffy comforters. The one I had was not heavy, as I recall one thickness of fabric, machine washable (a must with pets), and very quickly and nicely went over the bed. I wish I could find another one for my queen bed, that isn't quilted.