If you’re anything like the rest of us, you despise the process of making your bed. Our mother taught us how to deal with it when we were little, but that doesn’t make it any easier now. A typical bed consists of the following components: a fitted sheet, a top sheet, and either a quilt, comforter, or duvet. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make your bed, but there are a few methods and hacks that can come in handy. As it turns out, many of us are putting our top sheets on backward.

Can you believe they are from the inside out? We had no idea, but thanks to Sullivan May of Southern Living, we now know what to do. The pattern should be facing down on the side containing the pattern. This may appear to be a ridiculous concept, but it all makes sense when folding the top sheet over the duvet, comforter, or quilt. The patterned side will be visible rather than unseen.

According to May, the top sheet should be folded down an inch or two over the top of the quilt. If the top sheet and quilt are folded over one more time, the bed will start to look like the ones we sleep in when we visit different hotels. What could be better than that? These housekeeping ideas may appear easy, but they can brighten up any bedroom and prevent it from looking thrown together without a second thought.

Others will advise utilizing two pillows with pillowcases that coordinate with the sheet set. You’ll also need two pillows with pillowcases that coordinate with your quilt or duvet cover. Your days of fretting over the idea of making the bed are over, thanks to these recommendations. Congratulations to Sullivan May of Southern Living for presenting us with this extremely useful tip!