Controversial topic alert: white linens or colored linens? I've heard many debates on this issue. Reddit, Instagram and Facebook vacation rental groups are filled with them and hosts can go back and forth until they are blue in the face over the issue. The question remains though, white sheets and towels vs. colored sheets and towels... well, which should you use for your vacation rental?
I'm here to tell you, as a Vacation Rental Design Expert, go with white! There's a reason hotels stick with white linens as well. Now, you might be thinking, "Wait, Brandi, my vacation rental isn't a hotel!" I know, I know, people rent vacation rentals for that home-away-from-home feeling, but that doesn't mean we can't take cues from hotels.
The vacation rental industry is a business investment and you shouldn't take things about your property too personally. You're there to host your guests as a business. One thing you can do to set yourself apart from the endless other vacation homes near you- besides partnering with me to design your rental to be a destination instead of just a place to stay- is to have white linens.
Stains vs. Cleanliness
One of the biggest arguments I hear in the white vs. color linen debate is that white linens shows stains and colored linens hide stains better... Did you hear that? HIDE stains. Gross!!! Who wants to use a towel with stains on them whether they are hidden or not? That's why most guests prefer white linens; they know for sure the linens are clean. Now, I know your thinking you'll have to be replacing linens often... and you know what, you might have to. It's part of doing business. Just because you have to replace toilet paper often, does that mean you shouldn't supply TP? Nope, that's just part of doing business.
Pro tip: Don't have your guests strip the beds of the linens. it's easier to see and pretreat the bedding before washing if its flat on the bed.
Remember with running a vacation rental, every guest's experience can turn into a glowing five-star review or, heaven forbid, a not-so-glowing one. White linens scream professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to hygiene that colored linens just can't match.
Cost vs. Investment
And hey, about the whole 'replacing linens feels like throwing money out the window' concern—think of it as investing in your brand. Just like refreshing the paint or updating the decor, keeping your linens fresh and inviting is part of curating an unforgettable stay. Plus, when you look at the big picture, the cost of new linens pales in comparison to the rave reviews and repeat guests they'll bring in!
Pro Tip: Offer black makeup wash cloths to encourage guest to use those for makeup removal.
So, take it from me, your go-to Vacation Rental Design Expert: white linens are the way to go. They're not just sheets and towels; they are your property's promise to each guest that their stay will be as spotless as the linens they're wrapped in.
And remember, if you ever need a partner to turn your property into the kind of place that guests rave about (and rebook) because it's just. that. amazing— well, you know where to find me. Until then, keep those linens white, and your guest experiences brighter than ever!
Cheers,
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