A guest room is lovely to have, but the bedding is often a story of its own. The bed sometimes goes unslept-in for weeks, and just as guests arrive, a duvet cover still needs to go on. After they leave, it starts all over again. In this article you will read how to set up the guest room so that the bed is ready for the next guest in a few minutes, and why a duvet without a cover fits in well.
What makes a guest bed tricky?
- Irregular use. Sometimes nobody sleeps there for a month, sometimes guests come three weekends in a row.
- Quick changeovers. If one guest leaves on Sunday and the next arrives on Monday, the bed needs to be clean quickly.
- Storage. An extra duvet with cover, sheets and pillows takes up cupboard space.
- Different guests. A child, a couple, your parents: they do not all have the same wishes.
How to set up a practical guest room
1. Choose the right duvet size
Look at the width of the guest bed. A commonly used rule of thumb is that the duvet should be at least 40 cm wider than the mattress. On a 90 cm mattress 140x200 fits, on 120 cm 160x200, on 160 cm 200x200 and on 180 or 200 cm 240x200. If you have a sofa bed, measure the width when it is unfolded. You will find more explanation in the size guide.
2. Go for a duvet without a cover
A duvet with an attached cover is ideal for the guest room. After your guests leave, you take it off the bed and put it in the washing machine as a whole. After drying, you put it back and the bed is ready. You do not have to take off, wash and put back on a duvet cover.
3. Put together a fixed guest set
Prepare a fixed set for each guest bed: a fitted sheet, pillowcases and a set of towels. Keep them together, for example in a basket or a shelf in the cupboard. That way you never have to search.
4. Consider a second duvet
If you often have guests back to back, a second duvet is handy. While one goes in the wash, the other is already on the bed. You could choose a different colour, so you always know which one is clean.
The changeover routine in five steps
- Strip the bed as soon as your guests have left: duvet, fitted sheet and pillowcases.
- Wash the duvet separately, up to 60 °C and at about 1000 rpm. Mind the drum capacity: for Snoozella 5 kg for 140x200 and 160x200, 7 kg for 200x200 and 10 kg for 240x200.
- Dry it thoroughly, in the tumble dryer on a normal programme with a shake in between, or fully on the line.
- Make the bed with a clean fitted sheet and the duvet. Give it a quick shake and done.
- Air the room and set out a clean set of towels.
You will find the full washing instructions on the washing instructions page.
The bed between two visits
Is the guest bed unused for a while? Then you can simply leave it made. Open a window now and then and shake up the duvet. That way it stays fresh and looks instantly inviting if someone unexpectedly stays the night.
Would you rather put the duvet away? Then wash it first, let it dry completely and store it in a breathable bag, in a dry place.
Little extras that make guests happy
- An extra pillow with a different firmness.
- A throw for those who get cold easily.
- A reading lamp and a socket or charger by the bed.
- A few hooks or an empty shelf in the cupboard for clothes.
- A bottle of water and a glass on the bedside table.
A guest room that always looks well kept
With a duvet without a cover, the guest bed looks smooth and neat, with no duvet cover sitting crooked. The ComfyBed comes in five colours, and with the reversible ComfyBed Duo you choose which side is on top for each visit. View all duvets without a cover and make your guest room the easiest room in the house.
Read also
- Duvet for your holiday home, B&B or Airbnb
- Make your bed in 10 seconds (without a duvet cover)
- Which duvet size fits my bed?
Frequently asked questions
How often do I wash the guest duvet?
A good habit is to wash it after every guest. That way the next guest always sleeps under a clean duvet.
Which duvet fits a sofa bed?
Measure the width of the unfolded sofa bed and choose a duvet that is at least 40 cm wider. For many 140 cm wide sofa beds, 200x200 is a good size.
Can I leave the guest duvet on the made bed?
Yes. Air the room now and then and shake up the duvet, and it will stay fresh.
