One of these things is not like the other.
I’ve made a resolution to make our bed everyday for the month of October. Sure, October isn’t traditionally a time for resolution-making, but with our house now needing to be ready for potential buyers to walk through at any moment I thought it couldn’t hurt to try. Plus a little extra tidiness never hurt anyone, right? Oh, except for maybe Burger who now has to revise his plans to sleep until 1pm curled up under a giant duvet wad (part of the reason we fell out of the bed-making habit in the first place). Here he is caught in the act of trying to find his way under the covers.
Feel free to join me in my new effort. Or, if you’re already a pro at this (or prefer a nap-ready bed at all times) you’re welcome to hop on my other new resolution bandwagon – drinking nothing but water all month. It’s a little thing I dubbed “Aqua-tober” back in college when I was trying to curtail my soda habit. Now six years later I still find myself needing a little Dr. Pepper detox each fall. Sigh.
UPDATE: For anyone worried about Burger, it took him a little while but he’s finally figuring out how to work around my new resolution. Notice the lump in today’s made bed?
kc says
Someone may have already mentioned this, but I didn’t feel like digging through all the comments. Its actually not good to make your bed. Dust mites (we all have them) love spiffy looking beds. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4181629.stm
Jessaca says
You guys have me excited to start making the bed in the mornings. I love a made bed. Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration! On the Pepperjuice habit, my husband and I kicked the habit 6 years ago when we moved in together. We realized how crappy it was making us feel. Good luck!
jenn says
I have to have to have to make my bed. Even if I have a rough morning and don’t make it immediately, I have to make it before I get back into it. (I know. I have issues).
My world turned upside down when a friend related that a segment on the Today show talked about how it actually increases the likelihood of bed bugs. Now I still make my bed daily, but I have to check for bed bugs around the seams of the mattress. Ugh.
There’s just something so comforting about a made bed. Even if everything else goes wrong that day, my beautiful bed looks beautiful. And my dog, Maddie, just climbs on top of the pillows.
Lissa says
No coffee? No tea? Or just no soda?
Hrmph….maybe I’ll consider :}
Our beds are always made. You can overlook a lot if the bed is made. And good feng shui too :}
Jane says
I love the blog. Funny story- I think you were my orientation leader at UVA. But, I love making my bed. I may not be the neatest person in the world but it makes me feel like I am a little closer to my goal. And I made the switch from soda to water with the help of seltzer water. It’s amazing how much better I feel and how good seltzer is. Good luck!
Steph says
Nice! I definitely have to make the bed every day — it’s the first thing I do when I roll out of bed. Even if I have the worst day, I feel like at least I accomplished something — my bed is made! And it feels SO good to get into a made bed at night – I love it.
Tanis says
I’m totally jumping on the bandwagon! I’ve been wanting to make an effort to make my bed more regularly, and I find it hysterical that my reason for not making it as soon as I wake up in the morning is because my dog likes to sleep in the piles of blankets all day, just like Burger!
Kara says
My mom always said that if your bed is made and your dishes are washed then your house is clean. I’m batting about .500 on the morning bed making.
But bed-making is our cat’s absolutely favorite activity. Wherever he is the house, he somehow knows I’m making the bed. And just as I flick the top sheet into the air to spread it out, he materializes under it, eager to be made right into the bed. We have lots of pictures like your burger lump.
Good luck!
Momnivores Dilemma says
Well, 21 days for a habit, right? That’s what research shows it truly takes. I always bomb somewhere around day 6…
I make the bed now, the SECOND I get out of it. Or it never gets done. Try a lil “operant conditioning” to remember to do it. Like, you can’t check your blog until you do.
:)
Kara says
Oooh, and I second Kiri’s recommendation of Home Comforts. Incredible book on how to keep a house. I also try to let my bed “air out” (also: that’s a great excuse for why the bed still isn’t made at 2 p.m.)
Dana says
I used to hate making my bed when I was younger because instead of having a comforter I had this awful bed spread that was large enough to just touch three sides of the floor, so it had to be perfect. With a comforter it’s so easy, my husband and I just pull up the comforter and sheets to straighten them out. The only time I don’t like when he makes his side of the bed is when I’m still sleeping. When he pulls up the blankets on his side it creates a pocket of air ruins my nice warm sleep.
Lisa says
Speaking of making your bed, what else are you doing to make your home inviting to buyers? I’ve heard that home sellers should de-personalize so that potential buyers can visualize themselves living there, not who’s living there now – have you done anything like that?
YoungHouseLove says
We’ll be posting all about everything we’re doing in the hopes of selling our house. Stay tuned…
xo,
s
Sana says
i have 200cm long and 140cm wide bed (for myself – i need a lot of space) and since my bedroom is also my office AND i have couch (two, actually) in there too, i stay there during whole day so i need that bed to be nice. it takes me no more than a minute to make it, and my day doesn’t start till i do. it became habit and now for me it’s like brushing my teeth before bed, i think.
ps tkat burger rules :)
Pine Tree Home says
I haven’t made out bed in 12 years, except for when company was coming over. Yet, the weirdest thing, about 6 months ago, I woke up and said the room would look so much cleaner, nicer, fresher if I would just make the bed. You know what, it takes just a few minutes and I LOVE IT. Hubs even makes it now if he takes an afternoon nap. Now that’s loving life.
Sara says
Yay for a weekend post! Love it! :)
Beachgirl24 says
oh I am totally in – try to make the bed but have been slacking lately – need to kick the soda habit too! Am also curious any other tea/coffee – just no soda?
YoungHouseLove says
Nope, aqua only. Hence the name. I don’t mess around.
-John
Wintry Mix says
Hey, a Sunday post! Cool!
You know, the Dr. Pepper detox is no joke. I’ve managed to cut out most coffee, tea, etc, but the good Dr. I just can’t shake. John, I don’t know what quantities you’re dealing with, but I’ve found the new-fangled “90 calorie cans” to be really useful for portion control. I think they’re 7 or 8 ounces…enough to give me a fix, but not a huge amount. Right now I have one on most afternoons as a home-from-work treat. I suppose there are worse vices.
Tanya says
I do make the beds (ours, our son’s and the crib for our daughter) sometime in the course of the morning, but I tried and wait a little. I’ve heard that making the bed as soon as you get up keeps the bed mites warm and thriving. By letting the covers off the bed for 30 minutes or so cools them down… Same as putting your pillows in the freezer for 8 hours rids you of mites and allergens.
sharonB says
all right people – I’m betting that when their beautify baby is around 3-4 yrs old & hops in bed with them every night that we will see a Big King size bed pop in the picture.
Nicole says
I think this is a great resolution! I used to make my bed every single day. Then somewhere in college I gave up. I really need to start doing it again. I’m jumping on the wagon!
And I love how your dog found his way back into the bed under the covers!
Dana @ House*Tweaking says
Yay for Sunday posts! What a pleasant surprise. Look at you getting all spontaneous and such. Too fun.
Tabitha Blue says
Love this!! I’m jumping in on the bandwagon… making the bed for sure. And kicking the Dr. Pepper habit? That’s a BIG one for me. It’ll take me a day to decide. Ha!
Oh, and how can I submit a reader redesign? We have our own little bean and remodeled his room by taking a cue from your mood boards. I’d love to share it with you. I’ve been a follower for a long, long time! :)
YoungHouseLove says
See the box with our mugs on it on the sidebar? Just cluck the contact us link to submit a Reader Redesign.
xo,
s
Allison says
What a nice surprise! Yay for weekend posts!
Rebecca says
Ahh I randomly checked your site and was totally caught off guard to see a new post! I thought for a minute that I forgot to read on Friday! Liking it :)
Jennifer says
Hey guys! The weekend post is sweet!! I gotta tell you, the worst part of selling a home to me is keeping it tidy. My husband calls me his little “Pile it”. I have a tendency to pile things everywhere. Take things out and dont put them up. I always think, “I’ll put it up when I get done w/…” But, by that time, I’ve taken out a lot of stuff.
Seriously considering the water thing. I know I am getting one extra glass a day b/c I recently made a resolution to take my vitamins everyday, but all water all day…I could get a bit grouchy. :) By the way, Burger is so dang cute!
Nicole says
I love the idea of Aqua-tober, but i have to slip in a glass of wine every once in awhile! Quick question, what is the color of your bedroom walls? Ours is turquoise, but it’s a tad too bright. I’m wanting to tone it down, but not wanting it to be too baby-blue. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s Glidden’s Gentle Tide. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jackie says
A WEEKEND POST! YIPPEE!
Thais says
I was soo excited to see an unexpected sunday post.
Love it!!
Thanks for the nice surprise.
Julia says
My cat Minnie does the exact same thing! Every time I make the bed she’s tunneling underneath in a matter of minutes. It’s totally adorable and she loves to be pet through the blankets but it makes the bed a rumpled mess at all times. Tiny lovable furballs make up for a little disarray though. :)
Caitlin says
We had a few open houses when we were trying to sell our home, and my cat was terrified of the visitors. One time, she actually got stuck for the entire open house under the sheets in the master bedroom because she was too scared to move out from under them! She made a big lump in the middle of the bed, and if you poked her, she grumbled. ;)
A. @ Umbrella Island says
We also make the bed everyday. We have this kind of rule, the last one who wakes up makes the bed. We are not that precise, of course, but it is definitely nice to have a nice and tidy bedroom everyday.
I am definitely looking for reading all the process “sell-and-buy-a-new-house”. We are new fresh house owner and this topic interests us very much (also because we know at some point we are going to sell our current house for a bigger one, all the possible tips are welcome).
A plus is that I love your house and style particularly!!
Oh, by the way, could you give a name your the style you use to decorate?
YoungHouseLove says
We don’t really have a fancy name for our style, we just know that we like things light and airy with a fair amount of natural materials (jute, bamboo blinds, faux coral, and faux sheepskins, etc).
xo,
s
LauraC says
I also love the Sunday post! What a surprise! I thought, like some others, that it was a Friday post I didn’t get to (my sister got married yesterday!!!). Thanks guys!
Tamryn says
Burger, you ROCK!
Jamie says
I usually just pull up the sheet and duvet but don’t bother to make it nice and smooth. I’m the only one who sees it. :)
I read an article about how not making your bed helps reduce dust mites. (The matress environment stays cooler and dryer!) I doubt it makes THAT much difference, but ever since, I’ve felt justified.
Orla says
I make my bed every day. I used to run out of the house as a child when I was told to make it as it involved lots of sheets and tucking etc. Now we just have a duvet and it takes minutes to shake it out, puff the pillows and make it look inviting.
we also have a hound that enjoys sleeping on the bed but we have trained him to haul his bed onto ours and he curls up in that. It took some training but we got there!
Purple Area says
Ha ha, doesnt we all have it like this sometimes!!
Alyzande says
Great habits. good luck
Katie @ Katie Beth Interiors says
Although I do make our bed everyday (I am anal when it comes to being tidy :)), I am trying to give up pop for as long as I can. It was hard the fist couple of days, but is getting a bit easier. I just don’t always want water, which I know is the better choice!
amy says
my puppy does this too!! :) so cute :)
Jenn says
I can count myself pretty lucky:) I get up first in the mornings to pack hubby’s lunch for work and he always makes the bed!!!:):)I have to say when I was a teenager I never made my bed and it drove my Mom crazy that I didn’t but since I’ve been married I like it this way better:)
Lynn Van slyke says
Since we’ve sold 4 houses since 2003 I have gotten in the habit of making all the beds in my house every day.(have to have everything pristine for showings). My daughter has even joined the bandwagon.
Besides, It just feels so good to curl up under the covers of a well made bed.
Trying very hard to give up soda as well. I’m losing that battle. =)
LiveLikeYou says
hahaha that’s exactly what my chihuahua does!! They are like little groundhogs!
Melody says
I would love to join you in your resolution to make the bed every day this month! In fact, I’m heading upstairs right now!
Inês Amaro says
I made it my September resolution to make bed everyday, it makes such a difference…
And I also end up with a (cat) lump in the bed when I make it, what is it with animals and bed making?
Kiss
Inês
amyks says
Burger is sooo funny.
Kari says
I make our bed every day because I see it as I move in and out of my home office which is across the hall (work at home about half the time). When I get up, it airs out until I am out of the shower (I am a slow morning person so that is typically around an hour) and then the cats get the boot and the bed gets made (and the cats pile right back on or burrow their way under the covers). We don’t use a top sheet, but a duvet cover that gets changed/washed once a week with the rest of the bedding (twice a week during summer) so making the bed is really easy (and since we adopted this method of making the bed after a trip to Scandinavia, my husband and I have far fewer tiffs over top sheet and how firm it needs to be tucked in).
I guess I will risk the dust mites since the made bed does so much for my mood!
mike says
My cat does the same thing, too! Love a clean and fresh made bed — but doing that before work each day? Ouch.
Regina says
Love how Burger is not going to let your new habit get in the way of his sleep! I am pretty good at making the bed everyday, but I am with you on the Dr. Pepper thing- what is it about that stuff? I don’t care for any other soda, but can’t get enough of the Dr. I swear, one of the 23 flavors must be crack. I’ll have to try the Aqua-tober!
Liliana says
I have to make the bed every day, its a habit. My mom used to always say beds made and clean dishes make the house look clean. This is why I also don’t usually leave dishes at night.
My dogs love the bed too, especially Alli and Argus, they both love to make themselves a bed on top of our bed and the blanket we use to cover our bedspread to try and keep it as clean as possible, they pull it into a bunch so I have to sometimes make the bed a couple of times a day…if they mess it up at night, I have to fix it before going to bed (I know this is weird!)
~ L.
Brittany Johnson says
I just have to tell you guys that you should probably watch Modern Family if you don’t already because it is hilarious and seems to fit in with other shows you like! ABC at 9 on Wednesdays.
Also I’m excited to see what you do with whatever house you end up moving to!
Brittany