One of the highlights of staying at a bed and breakfast is sleeping in a beautifully made bed - one you haven’t had to make yourself - at the end of the day. A well-made comfortable bed is one of the most important parts of a guest’s experience.

I’m often asked how to make up a B&B bed, so here are my guidelines. There is no "right" way to make up a bed, but I've included hints and tips based on my own experience and feedback from guests and course attendees over the years.

Just a heads up, this is a paid sponsored post. This blog relies on the support and trust of readers like you. Collaborating with companies like Out of Eden, and only recommending products I'd actually buy or have been recommended to me by other hospitality providers I trust, helps me keep providing valuable content to you for free.I'll be recommending some products from the UK Hospitality Supplier Out of Eden in this blog post. For more about my collaboration with Out of Eden, read this post >> Where to shop for your hospitality supplies.

1. Freshly Laundered Bedding

This may seem obvious, but there used to be a line in the Visit Britain quality assessment guidelines stating that bedding needed to be changed between guests, so maybe it wasn’t obvious to everyone!

Before making the bed, ensure all bedding is freshly laundered. Crisp, clean sheets and pillowcases are essential for comfort and hygiene. Opt for high-quality, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.

Laundering bedding is pretty time intensive so check out point 5 below about whether you should buy or rent in your bedlinen.

2. Choose the Right Mattress Protector

A good mattress protector not only extends the life of your mattress but also adds an extra layer of comfort. Choose a protector that is breathable and waterproof, and make sure it fits snugly over the mattress without bunching.

Make sure that the mattress protectors you buy can be easily washed and tumble dried. And that you have enough spare mattress protectors to allow for regular routine washing and also for unexpected accidents.

This one from Out of Eden received great reviews and can be washed and tumble dried. >> Waterproof Quilted Mattress Protector

3. Mattress Toppers

If your mattress doesn’t already come with a mattress topper, then putting them your beds, especially if the mattress is quite firm, can create a more comfortable sleep and also prolong the life of your mattresses.

A mattress topper can also add an extra layer of protection in the case of guests having an accident in the bed, and is much easier and cheaper than a mattress to replace.

Bear in mind that mattress protectors generally can't be washed or dry cleaned, so you should still use a mattress protector on top.

4. Select the Perfect Sheets

Deciding whether to go for high thread count cotton or a poly cotton blend may well depend on the type of guests you welcome, how much you charge and how much you enjoy ironing!

Out of Eden have a fabulous blog post that describes in detail everything you need to know when buying bed linen >> Bed Linen Guide: Everything you need to know

It is important that you ensure that fitted sheets actually do fit and guests are sleeping on a smooth sheet. The same goes for using flat sheets. If you're making your bed up with flat sheets rather than fitted, make sure you become an expert at hospital corners!

One argument I see often in the B&B world,  is whether you should have a flat sheet under the duvet. As someone who has been experiencing hot flushes for a few years, I really appreciate a flat sheet under the duvet so I can kick the duvet off if needed.

If you don’t want to put a flat sheet under the duvet everytime then consider leaving one with the spare pillow in the wardrobe.

You can buy hygienic storage bags for pillows, spare blankets and sheets from Out of Eden >> Small bedding storage bags

5. How to Decide Whether to Rent or Buy Your Bed Linen

When setting up your B&B, before you invest in any bedding, consider whether it makes more sense for your business to rent or buy sheets.

Renting Bed Linen

Pros: Renting can be a convenient option as it reduces the time and labour involved in laundering them yourself. It ensures a consistent supply of fresh, high-quality linens and can be more cost-effective for smaller operations.

Cons: Finding a reputable company which provides quality linen can be problematic, especially for small B&B businesses.  I contacted quite a few and was told that they didn't deal with businesses under a certain number of rooms. You need to ensure that they are reliable and flexible to your needs, e.g. you don’t want to be locked into a contract that sees you paying for linen hire over the quiet season when you don’t need it

Buying Bed Linen

Pros: Buying your own bed linen gives you full control over the quality and style, allowing you to tailor the bedding to fit your B&B’s aesthetic. Over time, owning sheets may be more economical, especially for larger B&Bs. You do need to factor in the replacement cost and allow for a certain number of sets of bedlinen to bed to ensure you always have it available.

Cons: Be prepared for the upfront cost and the ongoing effort of laundering and replacing worn-out sheets. Don’t underestimate the time it takes to wash and iron all the bedlinen you need, on top of all of the cleaning, shopping etc. And you always need to consider what you will do in emergency situations like washing machines or tumble dryers breaking down.

👩‍💻What I did at Hopton House

I had bought all my bedlinen before I knew about the option of hiring. But I found laundering it to be very time consuming. And without a separate washing machine/dryer for the B&B, it was also difficult to maintain hairless sheets with 2 black dogs in the house. 

So I would send my own linen out for someone else to wash and iron. Living in a rural area, I did find it difficult finding a company that would pick up/drop off the linen. And I ended up using one that was quite expensive. However it was worth for it me, freed up my time and allowed me to focus on other areas of the business such as marketing.

6. Choose the Right Sheet Color

Classic White: White sheets are a popular choice for B&Bs because they convey a sense of cleanliness and freshness. They are easy to bleach and clean, making them practical for frequent laundering.

Neutral Tones: Soft neutrals like beige, light grey, or pale blue can add warmth and style without overpowering the room's decor. They also tend to hide minor stains better than pure white.

Match the Room's Aesthetic: Consider the overall colour scheme of your room when choosing sheet colours. Harmonising the sheets with the room’s decor can enhance the visual appeal and create a cohesive look. Bear in mind that if you decided to completely change the look of your B&B, by choosing bed linen to match initially, you may need to replace this at the time you redecorate.

👩‍💻 Karen's Tip

If you have a stain on bed linen that is proving difficult to budge, try using Napisan Non Bio Stain Remover Powder. A lot of B&B owners swear by it.

7. Layer with a Duvet

Choose a duvet that suits the season. A lighter option in summer and a heavier one in winter will keep your guests comfortable all year round. Use a duvet cover that is easy to remove and wash.

Finding the right duvets for your B&B feels more complicated than it should be, so I’ve written another blog post that goes into much more detail about how to choose duvets for your B&B here >> Is it Time to Put the Summer Duvet on yet?

Out of Eden do a good range of duvets for B&B owners. If you don’t want to over complicate things I would opt for a synthetic duvet, such as their Classic Just Like Feather and Down Duvet >> Out of Eden duvets

8. Add Pillows for Comfort and Style

Getting the right pillows for your B&B is also something that needs a bit of careful thought. If you go down the feather or natural down route, then you’ll also need to have a stock of synthetic pillows in for guests who have allergies.

In an ideal world, and if you have a healthy budget, you might consider having both natural and synthetic pillows in a range of firmness. But you will need to consider the amount of storage space you have.

I’ve spoken to a lot of B&B owners who, having started from scratch, say they underestimated the amount of storage space they’d need for pillows, duvets, bedding and towels. If you don't have either the storage space or budget to keep a whole range of different pillows in stock, then aim for the best quality medium firm synthetic pillow possible.

You’ll also need to invest in pillow protectors. I always preferred the quilted ones at my B&B. And remember to have spares just in case and for regular washing.

👩‍💻What I did at Hopton House

I used to provide 3 pillows per person on the bed. This wasn't because I expected people to sleep on 3 pillows, but rather because my husband and I like to have enough pillows to bolster up to be able to sit and read comfortably in bed.

Because I received a couple of comments about there being too many pillows, I reduced this to 2 per person, and put a couple of spare pillows in the wardrobe in a storage bag along with a flat sheet and blanket. This had the added bonus of reducing my laundry load by a couple of pillowcases for each stay.

9. Keep Cushions Under Control

While cushions can add style and a pop of colour, it’s important not to go overboard. Too many cushions can make the bed feel cluttered and you don't want your guests feeling like they have to fight their way through a load of pillows before they can get into bed - and yes I have seem comments online complaining about this on other B&B's reviews.

Less is More: Aim for a few well-chosen cushions that complement the room's colour scheme. Two or three decorative throw pillows should suffice.

Functional Decor: Choose cushions that are not only attractive but also easy to wash.

10. Finish with a Throw, Bedspread or Blanket

A soft throw or blanket at the foot of the bed adds warmth and style. It’s a great way to give your bed a more finished look, especially if you choose plain white bed linen.

Make sure whatever you choose is easy to launder and that you have a few spares. This is especially important if you offer pet friendly rooms.

One of the big mistakes I made was choosing aesthetics over function when I invested in bedspreads and blankets. My lovely £500 a piece welsh blankets looked gorgeous but were difficult to launder and attracted hair like a magnet!

Check out these blankets and bedspreads from Out of Eden >> Blankets and Bedspreads. They also sell bed runners that complement their cushions, perfect for adding a finishing touch to the bed.

11. Attention to Detail

Finally, when you’re making your bed, ensure that all the layers are tucked in neatly and you take the time to smooth out any wrinkle or creases.

Always give your rooms a last check over before guests arrive to ensure there are no stray hairs or bits of fluff! I think one of my most frequent Amazon purchases when I was running the B&B was a set of lint removers!

Conclusion

Making up a bed in your B&B is about more than just aesthetics; it's about creating a comfortable sleeping experience that your guests will remember and comment on in reviews. By following these steps, hopefully  you’ll ensure that each guest enjoys a restful night’s sleep and wakes up feeling refreshed and ready to explore.

A beautifully made bed is a simple yet powerful way to show your guests that you care about their comfort and well-being.