life in a tiny apartment.

March 12, 2014
bed6339

Tip #96: Set the bed up first.

Another unpacking tip.

Most of you guys are already experts at this (read the comments here if you don’t believe me), but my tried and true tip for moving into a new place is to set up your bed as soon as possible. My mom used to do this for me when I moved back into the college dorms each year after a summer away. She’d busily start unpacking sheets and pillows while I looked dejectedly around my room and when she was finished I’d feel 10,000 times better.

In a big move, beds tend to be the last thing to enter an apartment, but they’re always a priority for me to get sorted. Even when the rest of your apartment is in shambles, fresh sheets will make everything feel better. And if the shambles last a few days, the more pulled together your bedroom (or—for the studio dwellers among us—your bedspace) feels, the easier you’ll be able to breathe.

I pack one bag or box with all of the bedding (don’t forget to add the dust ruffle and mattress pad to the mix if you use them) so that it’s ready to go once we’re moved.

And just remember: beds are big. Try not to hyperventilate too much when you discover that your bed takes up three quarters (or more) of your room. You’ll get used to it. We have; twice.


For the curious:
Our ticking stripe blanket.
Our linen pillow cases.

Tiny Apartment Survival Tips #1-95, here.

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14 Comments

  • Reply Brooke March 12, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    Boy is this the truth. I love,my sleep, be it night time or day time naps, and setting up the bed is essential to my survival even if it's the only thing up!

    2
  • Reply Anonymous March 12, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    Your bedding is beautiful … love the blanket, thanks for the link !
    Delphine

    2
  • Reply Danielle Huddleston March 12, 2014 at 2:19 pm

    That is a great tip! I love your blanket thanks for sharing where you got it 🙂

    1
  • Reply DontBlameTheKids March 12, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    I had a c-section with my second, and when I got home, the first thing I did was get in my bed, and I immediately noticed that the sheets were fresh. My mother-in-law had changed them that morning. She said it was more important than stocking the freezer (although she did that, too), and man, was she right.

    1
  • Reply Jen March 12, 2014 at 3:48 pm

    Great tip. When we moved from a house in California to our first apartment in NYC my boxes of books filled the entire room. This days having a kindle is a must for small apartments!

    1
  • Reply Neurotic Workaholic March 12, 2014 at 6:05 pm

    One of the hardest things for me to adjust about living in a studio was the fact that my bed takes up most of the space. Next time, I'll get a smaller bed so that I have more room to move around my apartment.

    1
  • Reply Joyful March 12, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    Yeah! I see you think like I do when it comes to the bed 😉

    1
  • Reply Becca - Rebecca Atwood Designs March 12, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    That's so true! It always takes me a few nights to adjust though.

    1
  • Reply Sam | ashore March 13, 2014 at 1:04 am

    such an important part! isn't it the best to have that bed to look forward to after a long day moving (… and maybe many more unpacking ahead)?

    1
  • Reply Tannya Aditya March 13, 2014 at 2:35 am

    totally agree! bed is my first priority then toiletries along with clean clothes.

    1
  • Reply Caramel Latte Kiss March 13, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    My grandparents moved a lot, and this was my Gran's golden rule. Kettle and bed first. Then if else, you at least had the option of a calming cuppa and somewhere to sleep!

    1
  • Reply Poppy B. March 22, 2014 at 3:10 am

    Aw, my mother did that too! Even if I protested, she'd say "Mothers can make the bed. That's what we're allowed to do, so you have to let me." And you're right — it did always make me feel better once she was finished. It was a nice way of not getting in my way of decorating, but still making it feel like home.

    0
  • Reply Carley Georged April 3, 2014 at 3:52 am

    I've been debating that blanket for quite some time… do you love it?

    0
  • Reply bryntroll June 9, 2015 at 1:06 am

    Do you use a mattress pad? I've had some luck finding a few made in the U.S. but none that quite fit the bill. Maybe two fitted sheets for now?

    0
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