Sunday how-to
The perfect tuck
The crisp, tailored finish of a hotel bed comes down to one simple fold. Here is how to do it.
Hospital corners are the neat, envelope-style folds at the foot of a well-made bed. They hold a flat sheet firmly in place all night and give the bed that sharp, tailored look. Once you have done it twice, it takes less than a minute.
In short
- You need a flat sheet that is wider and longer than your mattress.
- Tuck the foot of the sheet in first, then fold each corner at 45 degrees.
- A smooth, crease-free sheet makes the neatest corners.
- Hospital corners keep the sheet in place, so it stays smooth all night.
What you need
- A fitted sheet already on the mattress.
- A flat sheet in the right size, with enough overhang to tuck in on all sides.
- Two minutes, and a little patience the first time.
Tuck. Lift. Fold. Tuck. That is the whole secret.
Hospital corners, step by step
Lay the sheet out
Spread the flat sheet over the bed, right side down if you will fold the top back, with an even overhang on both sides. Line the top edge up with the head of the mattress.
Tuck in the foot
At the foot of the bed, lift the mattress slightly and tuck the end of the sheet firmly underneath, all the way across.
Lift the side to make a triangle
At one corner, take the hanging side of the sheet about 40cm up from the foot and lift it onto the top of the mattress at a 45-degree angle. A neat triangle of fabric will form at the corner.
Tuck the hanging fabric
Tuck the small piece of sheet that is now hanging below the triangle under the mattress, keeping it smooth.
Drop the triangle and tuck
Let the triangle fall back down over the side. Smooth it with your hand so the fold sits in a clean diagonal line, then tuck the rest of the side under the mattress.
Repeat on the other side
Do the same at the other corner, then tuck in both long sides. Fold the top of the sheet back over your duvet for a hotel-style finish.
For the crispest corners, take your flat sheet out of the dryer while it is very slightly warm and make the bed straight away. The fabric is at its smoothest, and the folds set beautifully.
Why a flat sheet is worth it
A flat sheet adds a light extra layer for warmth in winter, keeps your duvet cover fresher between washes, and gives you a cooler layer to sleep under in summer. Read more in why a flat sheet still matters, or see how to style a bed like a five-star hotel.
Sheet Story
Start with a beautiful flat sheet
Ackly Bamboo and Ella Cotton flat sheets in a smooth 400-thread-count sateen, generously sized for a neat tuck. Free UK delivery on orders over £80.
Shop flat sheets →Questions we are often asked
Why are they called hospital corners?
The fold has long been used to make hospital beds neatly and securely, keeping sheets tight and smooth for patients.
Can I do hospital corners with a fitted sheet?
No. Hospital corners are folded with a flat sheet. A fitted sheet already has elasticated corners.
What size flat sheet do I need?
One a size up from your mattress gives plenty of fabric to tuck in, especially on deep mattresses.
How do I stop the sheet coming untucked?
Tuck it well under the mattress on all sides, and pull it taut before each tuck. A smooth, crease-free sheet holds best.
Every bed tells a Sheet Story
