There is a special kind of peace that comes from walking into a bedroom with a perfectly made bed. Plump pillows, smooth blankets, and crisp sheets can instantly make a room feel calm and inviting. At 73, living alone, my bedroom is my sanctuary—a place where I read, enjoy my morning tea, and work on getting a better night’s sleep. Recently, a friend helping me organize my linen closet noticed I was putting my favorite white top sheet “upside down.” I laughed and told her I had been doing it that way for nearly fifty years! Her comment reminded me how many old-fashioned bed-making tips have been forgotten.

So, what does “upside down” actually mean? It has nothing to do with the head or foot of the bed. Instead, it refers to the sheet’s hem and tag. Most flat sheets have a decorative, finished hem on one end and a rougher seam with a manufacturer’s tag on the other. The traditional method is to place the finished hem at the head of the bed and the rough seam and tag toward the foot. When you add a blanket or duvet and fold its top edge back over the sheet, you create a neat decorative cuff—the same elegant detail often seen in luxury hotels.

This simple sheet-folding trick offers more than visual appeal. Keeping the smooth finished hem near your face can feel more comfortable, especially for people with sensitive skin, while moving the tag and rough seam away from your neck can reduce irritation. Folding the blanket back also keeps your face and hands in contact with the freshly washed sheet rather than the outer bedding. And, of course, the finished cuff makes the bed look crisp, polished, and inviting.

Making a beautiful bed does not have to be complicated. Place the top sheet with the finished hem at the head, add your blanket or duvet, and fold the upper edge back to create the classic cuff. Smooth the bedding, fluff your pillows, and you’re done. Sometimes, these simple old-fashioned housekeeping tricks are worth bringing back because they can make your bedroom feel cleaner, cozier, and more restful.