Lets Guide

Bedframe

Start off with the basics of investing in the best bed your budget allows. Avoid metal beds where possible. It’s unlikely to stand the length of time. Nobody wants a squeaky bed for the night. The easiest and best options are divan based beds or solid wood.

If you choose a divan base, consider a headboard to fame the bed and add impact. Its also a great spot for guests to lean up against with their morning cuppa.

Mattress

We are all different and as a holiday home owner. You want to offer comfort that will suit most of your guests. By choosing a medium to firm mattress. Will appeal to most of your guests and in return buy a mattress that more longevity.

Protectors

A hot topic during my time speaking to property owners. They are a necessity and will assist you as the owner to keep your mattress and pillows in good condition.

Remember to buy spares, you or your housekeeper will thank you. Whether its seasonal deep clean or ad hoc between back to back bookings. The last thing you need is leaving them off or scurrying to a supermarket to buy spares.

Toppers

They have a purpose as a temporary measure, but just like a rug over a damaged floor board. Eventually you will have to bite the bullet to buy a replacement mattress. Toppers can be a nuisance causing the linen to be ill fitted, highlight that the mattress isn’t of a good standard and can be a problem to sort during a changeover when accidents happen.

Linen

Its all about the thread count. For durability and comfort, opt for the highest linen count possible. Cotton is best and whilst you are offering a self-catering stay, guests will enjoy seeing crisp white linen, similar to a top hotel on their beds. It looks clean and better still easier to clean if you need to bleach any small marks out.

Keep in mind that, short breaks are increasing in demand, having at least three sets per bed will help you or your housekeeper keep up with the changeovers with ease and you should have an appropriate level of back ups available when needed.

Sheets – Fitted sheets do offer ease when making up a bed but trickier to iron. Flat sheets are easier to iron and a great way to show off your housekeeping skills if you can get the perfect hospital bed corner.

There’s no quick win to turnaround linen between stays. For that perfect stay, linen should ALWAYS be ironed.

Duvet

We want that marshmallow look that shouts, jump on me. Most if not all holiday homes, will have limited storage on site to store items such as seasonal duvets with different tog levels. By providing a 9 or 10 tog duvet you will have a year round duvet to suit all seasons. For ease and assuring guests with allergies, buy hypoallergenic duvets.

Pillows

Think of the tale of the Princess and the Pea. We want to provide each guest with two pillows on each bed e.g two pillows on a single bed and four on a double bed. By going the extra mile and providing one firm pillow (bottom) and one medium to soft (top) you have thoughtfully chosen to provide each guest with the choice of which pillow will suit them to get their head down for a restful nights sleep.

Don’t forget that if you have a zip’link bed in your property, you will need more spares to allow for the two configurations.

My grandma once told me that pillows and duvets are like underwear. If you cant hang them out on the line as you don’t want the neighbours to see. Its time to replace those stained pillows.

Cushions and throws

Dress the bed for a touch of luxury which can capture a guests attention in photography and add the wow factor when they arrive. You can also quickly change the colour scheme or trends by updating just a handful of items.

Always buy washable fabrics and if possible, buying a spare will help you maintain fabulous standards of cleanliness. Again, avoid feathers and go for hypoallergenic inner pads.

Cushions

For inspiration, get online and check out the look books for linen at known high street stores, review room listings on a hotel/B&Bs website, follow interior designers on Instagram or better still visit a store and play around with the options they have available.

Throws

These must be long enough for the bed. Whilst they may cost more, sourcing a throw that is designed to cover one third of a king size bed will give you the look you need and guests desire.

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We hope this blog provides you with some pointers on how to dress your beds in your holiday home that impress your guests from making their booking, through to their stay.

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