Are you new to holiday letting? Or maybe you’re just looking to update your holiday let. At Helpful Holidays we know that both these scenarios can evoke a lot of questions. From buying beds for holiday lets to what furniture is best, our property experts are on hand every step of the way.
Here are some frequently asked questions about furnishing bedrooms in your holiday let.
Buying Beds for a Holiday Home
Use the quick links below to learn about a specific topic or read on for our guide on furnishing holiday home bedrooms:
What types of beds are best for holiday homes?
The answer to this question depends on the size of your bedrooms and what will provide you with the most flexibility.
You might want to consider zip-linkable beds. These beds give the most flexibility and could help increase bookings as they make your holiday home appeal to a variety of party sizes. With zip-link beds, two 3ft twin beds can be zipped together to provide a large double when required.
If you are considering zip-link beds, you would need to have both super-king and single duvets, as well as linen and mattress protectors to cover both options. Should you go for this option, we would then ask customers to specify their requirements before their holiday so that the bedrooms can be appropriately prepared.
Should you decide that zip-link beds aren’t for you, then we would recommend purchasing a bed wider than the standard 4ft 6in double for the master bedroom (if the bedroom dimensions allow).
Nowadays, many holidaymakers are used to a 5ft bed (or wider) at home and can be deterred by a smaller size. Unusual designs, such as four-posters, can be a novel attraction if appropriate for the style of your holiday home.
Whatever beds you opt for, we recommend buying good quality, new mattresses of moderate firmness that will remain sound and comfortable for several seasons.
How often do you replace beds in a holiday home?
On average, you should expect to renew beds every four to five years in a popular property. This is the same for mattresses.
If you are worried about the expenses incurred when buying beds or furniture, remember the costs can be deducted as an allowable expense if your holiday home qualifies as a furnished holiday let. Read our blog ‘holiday homes, tax and all things in between’ to find out more.
Would you recommend headboards and footboards?
At Helpful Holidays, we will always advise our holiday home owners to buy headboards. They are a great way to personalise a room and they protect the wall from marks. Buying beds and headboards goes hand in hand.
Footboards, on the other, can be very restricting and they limit legroom for tall guests, so we wouldn’t recommend buying them for your holiday let.
How to furnish a holiday let bedroom
Best beds and mattresses for holiday lets
Comfortable beds with high-quality mattresses are one of the most essential pieces of furniture for your holiday home. It’s the most important factor in ensuring your guests enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Although mattresses are quite personal in terms of what’s comfortable, our experts recommend buying a medium-firm mattress for your holiday let. These tend to offer enough support and comfort for your guests.
Bedding, pillows, and protectors for holiday lets
A good night’s sleep ensures guests awake feeling refreshed and ready for their holiday. So, soft comfortable pillows and duvets are essential.
Mattress protectors and toppers are an absolute must. Not only do they protect the beds and mattresses but they can be easily laundered or replaced, making it a breeze to keep them clean and fresh.
We also recommend providing extra blankets and throws that guests can use during their stay, especially in the winter months.
What colour bedding is best for my holiday let?
Of course, there is no set colour of bedding that is best suited to a holiday let. However, we recommend buying bedding in a neutral colour which fits with your bedroom’s overall colour scheme. Where possible, white linen is practical as you can bleach items that get stained.
High-quality bed linen
Just like hotels, crisp, high-quality bed linen is key to adding a touch of luxury in your holiday let. We recommend purchasing bedding which is pure cotton rather than synthetic.
Ideally, you should have at least three sets of bed linen. This means that when one is in use and another is being laundered, you’ll have one set that’s ready for the housekeepers doing changeovers.
Bedside tables and lamps
Another bedroom furniture essential is a bedside table on either side of the bed. These allow guests to store small items such as a book and a mobile phone.
We recommend providing a small bedside lamp on each bedside table to emphasise the warm cosy atmosphere when the main light is switched off. They need to provide just enough light so guests can relax and read a book should they wish.
Cupboards and drawers
When furnishing a bedroom, you want to ensure your guests have enough space to unpack their suitcases and store clothing. Offering a chest of drawers and ample space for hanging clothes offers a home-from-home experience.
What is the best number of bedrooms for a holiday home?
There is no optimum number of bedrooms for a holiday home. According to our South West Holiday Let Marketing Insights Report 2024, 40% of staycation bookings are made up of couples, so having just one bedroom is enough.
For those with larger properties, reducing the number of bedrooms isn’t a priority. Couples or smaller groups still choose to book larger holiday homes, with many looking for something a bit more luxurious or a holiday let with more space like a larger living area. Properties with a larger number of bedrooms are also less common, so can benefit from added income from large group bookings.
The main thing to remember is that your space must be flexible, well-presented, and well-equipped.
Top tips for furnishing a holiday home bedroom
Every bedroom in your holiday let should be a relaxing haven. It’s a place where guests can retreat and wake feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
Here at Helpful Holidays, we have over 40 years of experience working with holiday home owners letting their self-catering properties to guests. We have learnt what customers require and what owners can do to provide the best possible guest experience.
Here are a few things to consider when furnishing a bedroom:
- Bedrooms should have carpeted floors or a nice thick rug for a cosy atmosphere.
- Useful items to include are a hairdryer, alarm clock, mirror, and plenty of coat hangers.
- If storage space is an issue, opt for a bed with under-bed storage.
- Provide plenty of plug points including plugs with a USB connection for charging electrical devices.
- Blackout blinds or thick curtains are a welcome addition for a good night’s sleep.
For more useful tips and advice, head over to our Owner Advice blog.
Holiday Home Advice
At Helpful Holidays, our team of holiday letting experts are always on hand to offer advice about buying beds, furnishing a holiday let and any other queries you may have.
To find out more about holiday letting with Helpful Holidays, request your FREE owners guide today or call our team of experts on 01647 401799.
