Hotel bed making: A bed & breakfast owner’s guide

What is hotel bed making?

Hotel bed making is a housekeeping task performed by hotel staff to ensure a clean, tidy and welcoming sleeping environment for guests.

It might seem like a simple, almost trivial job for a B&B owner, but that’s far from the case. Bed making is an absolutely critical element of both your hotel operations and the guest experience. When it’s done efficiently, you can lower your costs. When it’s done uniquely well, it can make a stay that much more memorable.

In this guide, we’ll put the microscope on dressing your beds, from basic hotel bed making instructions, to fun ideas that can get guests raving about their stay and coming back for more.

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Why B&Bs need to master hotel bed making

It’s right there in the name: the bed is perhaps the most important element of a stay at a bed and breakfast. It’s also where your guests will spend at least a third of their stay.

Your bed making ability will have a surprisingly large impact on a guest’s first impression, so it needs to be consistently photo-worthy, guest-ready, and in an ideal world, unique and memorable.

Types of bed-making in the hotel industry

There are a (perhaps surprising) number of different ways to make a hotel bed, and the one you choose will depend on a few different factors: your bed-making skills, the vibe of your B&B, and the preferences of your guests.

• Open bed: Sheets folded back on themselves for easy access. This is ideal for casual, homely stays, and guests who are elderly or who have limited mobility.
• Closed bed: Fully tucked sheets with pillows stood up and neatly arranged. This is the classic hotel bed-making procedure and offers a crisp, fresh appearance.
• Turndown service: The top sheet or duvet is folded down in the evening, often with a treat left on the bedding or pillow, which adds a personal and luxurious touch.
• Mitered corners: This is a common way to set a flat sheet, where neat, hospital-style folds at the corners creates a polished and professional look.

Choose a style that aligns with the atmosphere of your B&B: casual for a cosy retreat, more polished for a boutique or luxury feel.

To truly elevate your offering, you could even offer guests a choice in advance, or adjust your bed-making style with the seasons: lighter and looser in summer, tucked and warm in winter.

What is the correct order for making a bed as a hotel housekeeper?

The correct order for making a hotel bed is the base sheet, top sheet, duvet/blanket, pillows, then finishing touches (throw pillows, a bed runner, treats).

Looking for a more detailed description? We’ve got you covered below.

How to make a hotel bed: A complete guide

Hotel-style bed making is part art, part science. You should begin by perfecting the basics, then add some personal touches and flair. Here’s how to make a hotel-style bed in three simple steps.

1. Layer and tuck the base sheets: Start with a fitted sheet over the mattress, then lay the flat sheet evenly on top and tuck it tightly under the mattress with hospital corners at the bottom.
2. Add the duvet or blanket: Spread the duvet or comforter evenly over the bed, smoothing out wrinkles. Fold it down with the top sheet if doing a partial open or turndown style.
3. Place pillows and finishing touches: Fluff and arrange pillows neatly, then add extras like decorative cushions, throws or a bed runner.

How to make a hotel bed fast (for busy owners)

Looking to make beds more efficiently? The following tips can help:

• Use fitted sheets to save time tucking the base layer.
• Pre-fold duvet sets for quicker and more consistent placement.
• Don’t go overboard with pillow arrangements – two per person is more than enough.
• Invest in wrinkle-resistant linens to avoid ironing.
• Create a hotel housekeeping bed making procedure so steps aren’t skipped and new workers are onboarded quickly.

Hotel bed making ideas

Looking for a bit of hotel bed making inspiration? Here are a few ideas that you can implement in your B&B.

• Towel origami or flower folds: Create swans, fans or rosettes for a fun and elegant first impression.
• Small welcome tray: Offer your guests chocolates, biscuits and local treats.
• Matching bed skirts and throw pillows: Create a cohesive, stylish look with coordinated textiles.
• Seasonal bed accents: Swap out throws or cushions to reflect the time of year.
• Scented linen sprays: Lightly mist pillows with calming scents like lavender and eucalyptus.
• Layered textures: Combine crisp sheets, a soft throw and decorative cushions for a plush feel.
• Branded pillows and linens: Add a classy touch that reinforces your B&B’s identity with custom embroidery.

Little Hotelier has given me more freedom because I have the app on my phone. I can pick up any of the bookings and manage it remotely. We can relax, take a step back, and let Little Hotelier run our business.

Elaine Milne,

Owner

Calder House

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Bed making etiquette to improve guests stay

Guests have certain expectations when it comes to beds. These can be captured in what could be termed ‘bed making etiquette’ – the unwritten rules that you need to follow as a B&B owner. These include:

• Changing bed linen, particularly sheets, between every guest.
• Offering linen changes on request.
• Always tightly tucking and smoothing out sheets to remove the wrinkles.
• Aligning pillows symmetrically.
• Respecting any guest needs and preferences (e.g. if they’re allergies to feather pillows).

For the most part this etiquette is common sense. Part of all those little efforts that combine to create the ultimate guest experience.But all those efforts can prove time consuming, which is where a B&B tool like Little Hotelier comes in.

By Mark Dawson