The Foolproof Formula Behind Shea McGee’s Instagram-Worthy Beds

Including the perfect sham–to–decorative pillow ratio.
Lydia Geisel Avatar
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“I always get asked: How do you make your bed?” says Studio McGee cofounder and star of Netflix’s Dream Home Makeover Shea McGee. There’s more to her time-tested method than perfectly fluffed shams and pretty throw blankets. She has bed making down to a science, and she’ll be revealing all her tips around styling, layering, and pattern mixing in an upcoming Airbnb Online Experience. Only 10 guests will be able to participate in the event, but never fear: We spoke with McGee about what’s to come and snagged a few of her top tricks, including what exactly is the right amount of pillows.

“I always try to strike a balance between decorative pillows, shams, and sleeping pillows,” she says. “But not so much that it feels like: ‘How am I even going to get into this bed?’” Her winning combination? Two sleeping pillows (per person, so four total if you have a queen-size bed), two shams, and three decorative pillows, one of which should be a lumbar pillow. Of course, the designer isn’t afraid to veer from that formula, but if you want a quick fix, this mix never fails.

airy bedroom
Courtesy of Studio McGee

Take McGee’s arrangement a step further by experimenting with different prints. “My best tip is to mix organic shapes and straight lines, so one decorative pillow that has a floral-inspired pattern with stripes or plaid pillows,” she explains. Want more deets? Bookings for McGee’s Airbnb Experience will go live today, April 23, at 1 p.m. ET. Participation will cost $100 per person/household, with proceeds benefiting the IIDA Foundation. Happy bed making!

Lydia Geisel Avatar

Lydia Geisel

Home Editor

Lydia Geisel has been on the editorial team at Domino since 2017. Today, she writes and edits home and renovation stories, including house tours, before and afters, and DIYs, and leads our design news coverage. She lives in New York City.