If you have overnight guests coming soon and your linen inventory suddenly feels inadequate, use this guide before you rush to the store to buy more. Our guest linen checklist will help you feel prepared with the correct quantity of linens for each visitor. Hint: You might not need as many as you think.

Guest Towels

Towels are the one category that will require the greatest surplus. Towels should be washed every three to four days, so plan accordingly for guests who will stay longer than that. For single-night guests, one set of towels per person will be sufficient. This should include a regular bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth. For weekend guests, plan on two full sets of towels per person. While they might not need all of the towels you provide them with, it’s always better to play it safe and ensure your guests’ comfort.

For guests who will stay longer than four days, add another set or two, bumping your towel set count up to four. You could also plan on a midweek restock instead. Kindly ask your guests to leave their towels outside their bedroom door or drop them in the laundry room. Once laundered, return the fresh towels to the guest bedroom or bathroom.

Guest Bedroom Bed Linens

Even if your guests only stay one night, it’s smart to have a full set of extra sheets on hand. This should include a mattress pad, fitted sheet, flat sheet, and quilt or comforter. It’s recommended to wash sheets weekly, so if your guests only stay the night or for the weekend, you’re likely off the hook for anything other than being stocked with the extra set of bed linens for just-in-case scenarios.

For extended stays of more than a week, plan to refresh the sheets. Check with your guests and ask if they would like you to change the sheets and when the best time to do that might be. They might prefer to change the sheets on their own or insist that there’s no need to wash them. Be sure to respect their wishes—while it might seem like a nice gesture to pop in the room and swap all the linens while they’re out, it could also feel like an invasion of privacy if they’re not expecting it.  

Where to Stock the Extras

Keep your extra linens stocked in a place that is easy for guests to access. Ideally, this would be in the guest bedroom or bathroom. Linen closets or wardrobes are great locations for neat stacks of surplus towels and sheets, while a chest at the foot of the bed can make an ideal spot for bulkier items like blankets and comforters.

Wherever you place your extra linens, alert guests of where they are located upon their arrival. Reinforce that you will be happy to provide extra linens if they are needed. This is also a great time to ask their preferences on a midweek linen restock or launder.

Extras to Have on Hand

Sheets and towels are the basics, but beyond that, there are a few other items you’ll want to have accessible for your guests.

Pillows

Keep at least two extra pillows stored with your bulkier surplus linens. These do not include pillows used to make guest beds (or couches). If you have more than two guests staying with you, don’t go overboard, as pillows are sizable items to store, but have a few extras tucked away throughout the home so everyone gets a great night’s sleep.

Blankets

Plan on one extra blanket per sleeping arrangement (including couches). Even for those who aren’t sleeping in a designated guest room, place an extra blanket at the foot of their air mattress, sofa, or pull-out couch. This should be in addition to a quilt, coverlet, duvet, or comforter. Your exact bed-making formula should depend on the season and temperature of your home.

Mattress Protectors

In addition to extra bed sheets and blankets, you’ll also want to include another mattress pad and protector in your stock of surplus guest linens. This can be crucial if the bed needs to be fully remade quickly. It can also help for extended stays if you change the bed linens halfway through the visit.

Bath Mats

When it comes to bath linens, don’t forget the bath mats. If you plan to refresh and restock towels or bed linens for long-term visitors, consider having extra bath mats on hand to make a quick and easy swap.

Hand Towels

You can never have too many hand towels. Paper hand towels are perfect for stocking your guest bathroom during parties, but be sure to place an extra stack of soft cotton or terry towels in your linen closet so guests can replenish them at their convenience.