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?
Jennifer Roe says
I cannot get into the habit, it seems to make our bed every morning…lol, it may have to do with the sleepy dog (want her to be comfy) I feel guilty leaving when I go to work. :)She seems to locate the most expensive of all of our pillows, either on the bed or the couch to smash down and get cozy on. –Jennifer
P.S. I love your blog!
Lori says
I read something by a professional counselor once that struck me – she said that the first thing she has people do, when dealing with depression, is make their bed everyday. It’s the easiest way to feel better in the morning (your bedroom’s half clean with that one step) and it’s harder to crawl back in bed. So it’s actually a mood-lifter.
YoungHouseLove says
So interesting Lori!
-John
Elizabeth F says
I don’t “make” the bed every day, but I do pull the duvet up to keep the cats out (I have a strict rule with animals in the bedsheets… they’re pretty dirty so it kind of squicks me out to have them in the people zone. Cats sleep at our feet.) Then we had the baby and it seems like every other nap I give up and just lay down in bed with him, so it seems pointless to tightly make the bed when I’m going to unmake it in a few hours.
The thing that makes it easy to not make the bed so rigidly was to do just a duvet cover and no top sheet – just straighten that out and the bed is basically made.
Katarina says
LOL. If I was lucky enough to work from home, I’m pretty sure my desk would be a breakfast-in-bed-tray.
christina says
I’m not really into making my bed, but I am taking the opportunity of a new month to change one of my bad habits! This October, I’ve made a resolution not to eat any processed foods, which I’m defining as things made in a factory that contain any unnatural ingredients (so whole-grain pasta is okay, but Twinkies are not).
Should curb my unfortunate habit of running to 7-11 for a Snickers bar and Diet Dr Pepper in the afternoons. Instead, I’ll have an apple and tea or something similarly healthy.
Shantay Gattis says
This was a New Year’s resolution of mine one year. While, it didn’t become the everyday habit I’d set out for, it was good while it lasted… Enjoy!!
Sarah R. says
I try to at least pull the covers up, but I haven’t made a habit of it yet. I may join you. My cats get excite when I make the bed. They actually like it if I put the fitted sheet over them. I play a game with them where I run my fingers around the top of the sheet and they chase it from underneath.
Kim says
Our cat does that, too! She loves to burrow!
Liv says
i love having my bed made during the day. my dog does the same thing though- finds a way to get comfy no matter what. usually she just hunkers down on all the pillows :)
Linda says
I love that first photo of Burger because he so doesn’t look amused, lol.
As for drinking water, I gave up soda a few years back, so water is pretty much all that I always drink. :)
Kate says
I’ve just started a new business called Make My Day!! I thought you were giving me a random impromptu shoutout!! I am soooooooo lazy making the bed but it really annoys my husband, luckily we’ll now be going to work at the same time so he will be making the bed every day!
Katherine says
So excited to see a weekend post! :)
Julie says
I still can’t believe how hard we worked staging our house to put it up for sale and then keeping it walk-through ready. But… I did enjoy how clean it was (we rented a storage unit to get a ton of stuff out of the house and make it seem bigger), and coming home to a “made” bedroom everyday. I still try to make my bed but admit it only happens about once or twice a week. :( I guess all of the effort paid off though, it sold in EIGHT DAYS!!!
Kat says
john, count me in for the aquatober challenge. I also need a dr. P detox. Its gotten me through some sleepy days in the seven weeks since our son was born!
Catherine says
Yay for weekend posts!
I do need to make my bed more often. It feels so much better, but I rarely make time for it.
I’m more interested in the water diet though. I don’t think I could do ONLY water (I need my tea in the morning, and I’ve been looking forward to a little apple cider as it gets colder), but I think I need to ban soda completely. I never do well with trying to do “less” of something; it’s all or nothing for me. So I think soda’s about to go into the latter category. Thanks for the inspiration!
Heidi H. says
Great idea! I think I’ll do it too!
Cordia says
My lump. My lump my lump my lump. My lovely Burger lump.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha. Perfect song for today.
xo,
s
Sara says
I try to make the bed everyday, but some days bed making looks like “pull the duvet up and make sure the sheets underneath aren’t a crinkly mess.”
We actually close off our bedroom for the day for that exact reason – our two 60 pound mutts would sleep on it all day long! Because they are on the larger side I found they were smooshing down both synthetic and down filled comforters in no time flat. So while I love a good cuddle…they get dog beds.
Skooks says
I only started being an everyday bed-maker a few years ago, and I must say it feels awesome to come into the room when it’s time for bed or to put something away with the room looking so clean and put together. I lazed off this weekend for the first time in quite awhile and I just didn’t have as enjoyable of a night’s sleep getting into the rumpled bed. Who knew?
Sarah B says
I was totally checking up on you guys today to see if you were going to hold true to the weekend posts!
I feel soo much better when the bed is made – even if you have something on the dresser or a shirt didn’t quite make it to hanger – it just looks cleaner when you take the time – all what, 2 minutes, to make the bed.
And I know that my grandma is looking down from heaven when I don’t – guilt-o-rama!
Kelsey says
I’ve done the no top sheet thing before too–depending on how washable my duvet is. It is a LOT easier.
Also, the lovely Burger lump is hilarious!
sara b. says
Happy weekend post!! :) My kitties crawl under the covers all the time. Doesn’t matter if I make the bed or not. But the dog is too big and doesn’t care. He’s just happy if I forget to close the door.
ALittleBite says
I make my bed everyday! Usually I wake up, open the windows and let the bedding air out while I shower and make it afterwards… it works out fine for me, and the bedroom looks a lot tidier.
Breaking the soda habit, now, that’s another story… I should really try that!
michelle says
SO excited to see your Sunday post. Keep doing your thing!
PS – I love the idea of Aqua-tober. Any other goals you have to stay healthy? These little changes make the biggest difference, I think.
YoungHouseLove says
We usually walk 2-ish miles at night before dinner so we hope to keep that going into the colder months. Usually we slack off then, but Clara and Burger love walks so much we’re going to try to bundle them up and keep at it.
xo,
s
Angie says
I have to sleep in a made bed every day or things just aren’t right in my world! LOL If for some odd reason I didn’t make it when I got up (my husband was still in it) or at some point during the day. I make it before I crawl in it.
PS I love the Sunday post. I have to check for something new every day even Sundays! :)
Sarah says
OMG, that little Burger bump is the funniest thing!! I NEVER make the bed! Sometimes my husband does, but generally it’s just a pile of sheets and comforter, and every night when we get into bed we have to re-straighten everything. I wish I was a person who really wanted to make that dang bed every day, but I just can’t make myself do it. I love the Aguatober idea. Might have to use that myself (plus coffee….)
elissa v. says
I’m very inspired by your mid-year resolutions! In fact I think I’m going to try your Aqua-tober!..but I’m not sure if I can give up hot cider & hot cocoa in the fall..maybe I can have Aqua-tober + those :P
I’m curious too about the “closets” you have on either side of you bed??
We bought an old house about a year ago and thus we have small closets, have you posted before about how you did those??
YoungHouseLove says
Here’s the skinny on those: https://www.younghouselove.com/2008/02/over-our-heads/
xo,
s
Kim says
I’m sure it’s been answered before, but this seemed like an appropriate time to ask! How are you liking your Malm bed four (?) years in? We are pretty set on getting one for our modestly-sized master bedroom, and while we’ve read lots of good things, we’ve also heard that some people have problems with the slats staying in place and that others constantly bump their shins into the sides of the bed. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
No complaints at all! We love ours.
xo,
s
Robin O says
My cat does the same thing and I’m always worried if she can breathe under there!
LOVE the aqua-tober idea.
p.s. A weekend post! Fun-o.
Carole says
when we were selling our place, we made our beds every day, but it hasn’t inspired us to do the same in our new place, unfortunately…
it drives my husband crazy that I don’t put my laundry away–I think that’ll be my October resolution!
katie.kiNdess says
It is so hard for me to remember to make my bed in the morning!! Once i am up.. i can’t look back, otherwise i wont make it. haha
I am with sarah though, i make my bed before i go to bed. I like to climb into even/smooth covers.
HOpe it gets easier for you!!
Gloria says
I am make-the-bed-every-day kind of girl, so I TOTALLY support your new resolution for October! :) My cats used to do the same thing under our covers though, it’s funny how they can’t just sleep on top of the bed!
Katy says
I started a resolution to daily bed making after our son was born. This was largely because we had a sitter come watch him in our house while I worked from home–a lifetime habit of NON bed making does not die easily. I have to say, it has been a small but really positive change in my life. I support you and think it can totally happen.
a-m says
Hubby and I laughed out loud over this post. A sunny, Monday morning, ‘getting ready for school term 4 giggle’. Thanks! A-M xx
Michelle says
You said “potential buyers” might be dropping by. Are you moving?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
Yes! We made the big announcement a few days ago on Wednesday. So excited!
xo,
s
Carolyn says
Nice surprise to see you posting on a Sunday (although it’s now Monday here now, and the work week already started-boo!) anyway, I’ve also been trying to make the bed everyday. Hopefully by the end of the month a new habit will have formed. It’s just so nice and calming to walk in to the bedroom and see a made bed. I’m also working on making the bedroom a toddler free zone…still working on that one!
Fleur says
Burger is such a cutie! Our dig isnt allowed in the Bedroom, too many black hairs everywhere as it is! Congrats on the big decision to move. Look forwards to sharing your adventure.
Love Fleur xxxx
Queensland Australia
Fleur says
Whoops, thats meant to read DOG isnt allowed in the bedroom, Monday morning here, cup of tea hasnt quite reached the brain. xx
Shannon says
I want your house!! I wish I could move to Virginia…I live in upstate, NY. You should move here and make over a house, then sell it to me when you’re ready for another project, haha! jk. Anyways…as soon as my 2 year old daughter gets out of my bed in the morning, I have to make it. I make the boys when they go to school…bunkbeds are not fun to make though! I love the water idea…I need to do this! I too, loooooove dr. pepper! Even more: cherry dr. pepper!!
jja says
Burger for president! :-))))
I do make my bed every single morning for last…well, since I was 7 years old. It takes me less then 3 minute and everything looks os much nicer.
How wide is your bed? I am not familiar with american sizes, in europe we usually have 200 cm long and 180 wide for two people.
YoungHouseLove says
According to Ikea it’s 213 cm long by 169 cm wide (queen sized american).
xo,
s
Emily Rae says
Another yay for the weekend post! I used to never make my bed, until I realized it’s not a LAW that you have to tuck all your sheets, blankets, etc, under your mattress. Now I let everything flow free (which suits my sleep style better) and in the morning I just shake everything out and smooth it down. I’ve heard it’s one of the quickest things you can do to make a bedroom look tidier. Do you guys find yourself keeping extra empty containers around to pick-up-quick so the place looks good fast?
Angela says
Dogs are so funny! lol!
Stephanie says
What a coincidence on the bed making resolution- my hubby and I made that resolution for the month of October as well! We’ve found it’s easier to set monthly goals rather than annual goals each January. Here’s hoping we don’t break the bed making habit in November!
Emily says
I make all our beds every day. It is just habit and really it only takes a couple minutes. The making it a habit part is the hard part.
This means I really SHOULD join that only drinking water in October resolution. That one sounds REALLY hard. It is just now getting cold enough to enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the mornings again!
Jennifer says
I am going to show this to my husband. I leave for work at 5am while he and our pup are still asleep. They get up 3-4 hours later (my husband works from home so his commute is significantly shorter than mine!) and just shut the door. When I get home in the afternoon, I make the bed b/c I LOVE getting into a “made” bed at night. So it’s made for ~5 hours per day. Ha!
Stephanie says
I’ve always been a bed maker, my mom would make us miss the school bus before we left the house with our bed unmade growing up. Unfortunately my husband is not a bedmaker and is the later riser, so we lived with an unmade bed during the week.
With our house on the market though, I’ve convinced him to make the bed when he gets out of it, I’m loving it!
Sara says
I guess chihuahuas are a bit like dashchunds in that they like to burrow. Our little weiner dog could stay in bed all day long as long as she was well under the blankets!
Kiri says
It is so nice to have a made bed! We turn down the covers every morning when we wake up so the bed can air out (learned this from the awesome book “Home Comforts”), and before we leave for work pull up the covers and make the bed. I’m not uptight about tucking the sheets in on the sides, though.
Jenn says
I do like a made bed. I feel like it makes the whole room look cleaner. . . but my husband doesn’t get up for work until 2 hours after I’m gone, so it’s pretty much a waste of air to try and convince him the bed needs made (he’s thinks I should be pretty psyched to even see that the covers made it back on to the bed! lol!).
Shawna says
Oh, I feel so much better after this post!! I stopped making my bed after we adopted two italian greyhounds and a chihuahua (who happens to be the same age as Burger and looks an awful lot like him). Within about five minutes of making the bed, there are three dogs thoroughly enrobed in one massive lump of blankets on the centre of the bed. Not making the bed was always my dirt little secret – thanks guys, you’ve freed me from my shame! LOL