Best bedding for your vacation rental

Whether a bunk bed or sofa bed, king or a twin, every bed in your vacation rental should be a restful haven. In fact, sleep quality matters a lot to your guests and can influence whether they leave a good review, book again, or recommend your vacation home to their friends.

While choosing the right sheets and linens may seem minor, managing 40,000+ vacation homes across North America has taught us it’s not. That’s why we offer the Vacation Rental Linen Program, which gives you hotel-quality linens each year (2 sets for each bed) and a stock of fluffy white towels. Even better—we launder them, change them out between guests, and replace when needed.

Say goodnight to tossing and turning—here’s our expert tips for creating the bed of your guests’ dreams.

The vacation rental bed guests dream of

There’s a lot to consider when choosing the best linens for your vacation rental. It can be a challenge. You want them to be pleasing to many types of guests, stylish, durable, and easy to clean. Let’s break down all the components to think about before making your purchase.

Material

Material matters, especially to your target audience. For instance, a soft cotton-poly blend is an ideal choice for guests who prioritize comfort. While Egyptian cotton or silk sheets can attract luxury travelers. There are loads of materials available, from linen, to microfiber, to cotton. Let’s review the most commonly preferred materials for vacation rental bedding.

Cotton

Cotton is the most versatile and common textile that keeps guests cozy in the winter and cool in the summer. There are several types of cotton, including upland cotton (the most common cotton and the best value) and pima and Egyptian cotton (considered the most luxurious and durable).

Bamboo

Derived from bamboo plants, this material is an eco-friendly option for bedding. You have three weaves to choose from—sateen (smooth and silky, with a luxurious sheen), twill (strong and durable, with great breathability), or percale (lightweight, offering a crisp cool feel).

Linen

Considered one of the most durable of all the sheets on the market, linen sheets often feel stiffer and thicker than cotton. However, it’s an upscale material that comes with a higher price tag.

Microfiber

Unlike the natural fabrics mentioned above, microfiber material is synthetic and primarily made of polyester. Microfiber sheets tend to be ultra-soft, don’t wrinkle, and have the lowest prices on the market.

Thread count

PSA: Higher thread counts don’t mean higher quality. Those thread counts of 800 or higher that you see at the store are often a marketing gimmick. The truth? Experts recommend cotton bedding with a thread count between 300 and 500—that’s what’s typically used in hotels. Those figures balance breathability, softness, and durability. Thread counts below 200 will have a rougher texture and anything above 500 is an inflated number that won’t feel any softer.

Durability

You’ll be washing your sheets frequently, perhaps within fast turnovers, so durability is a priority. Pick strong sheets that won’t fray, pill, snag, or tear after frequent use. Low-quality and cheap fabric won’t suffice. They’re prone to losing softness, wearing thin, shrinking, and fading in just a few washes.

Ease of washing

Because no one has time to hand wash sheets and wait for them to dry. Before purchasing bedding, read the care instructions and avoid details like sequins and tassels.. Some sheets can’t take bleach, fabric softener, or high heat. If your sheets are too high maintenance for you or your housekeeping crew, ditch them.

Cost

High-quality bedding can come with a high price tag. And, while luxury sheets may seem like a worthy investment, remember that you’ll have to replace them regularly (after a year or when they start showing signs of wear). A better option is to find the balance of comfort and price, without breaking your budget.

Breathability

Known as moisture-wicking, breathable sheets allow hot sleepers to stay cool at night. Sheets can do this by absorbing moisture from the body and allowing air to flow through. Climate and location play a role too, plus whether or not your guests use the heater or air conditioner. Cotton, bamboo, and linen are considered the most breathable fabrics.

Color

Simply put, white sheets are ideal. White bedding is a standard at hotels, resorts, and our own Vacasa Linen Program for good reasons:

• They consistently deliver a crisp, clean look
• They can be easily bleached to erase stains
• They have universal appeal

Think white can be boring? You can always add in some color and texture with your throw pillows and blankets. Avoid any details that would make it difficult to launder (sequins, tassels, non-machine washable fabrics, etc.)

Let’s make the perfect bed

You’ve invested in a great mattress and bedframe, then added bedside tables, lamps, and all the other must-have essentials for vacation rental bedrooms.

Now, let’s make the bed so guests have the best sleep of their lives (and write about it in their review).

1. Start with a waterproof mattress protector. Look for one with a full zip enclosure that safeguards your entire mattress against spills, stains, dirt, and bed bugs and mites.
2. Pull on freshly washed, white bed sheets
3. Top with a duvet and duvet cover. Follow our lead—Vacasa regularly uses the triple sheeting method to sustain the warmth of a duvet, while also making it more convenient for housekeepers to clean and switch out sheets between every stay.
4. Add pillows and white pillowcases to give guests options. Consider buying 4 pillows per bed—2 soft and 2 firm. And, have 2 pillowcases per pillow, preferably from the same company as your sheets.
5. Layer on a throw blanket—a throw blanket is a perfect way to add color, texture, and more coziness to your bed.
6. Stick an extra warm blanket in the bedroom closet for extra warmth.

Tips for stocking your linen closet

Now, let’s think beyond the bed and focus on making things easier for you and your housekeepers. Some tips:

• Have a minimum of 2 matching sheet sets per bed, including fitted sheets and flat sheets. Plus, 2 pillowcases per pillow. This allows your housekeepers to quickly place new sheets on the bed, then launder the used sheets while they tackle cleaning the rest of your home.
• It’s good practice to replace linens every 12 months, a little longer if your Airbnb isn’t booked back-to-back and you’re cycling through the 2 identical sheet sets mentioned above. Once sheets are ripped, discolored or stained, replace immediately.
• Stick to purchasing bedding from one company. This will allow you to replace the random sheet or pillowcase quickly and trust that they’ll all match.