While many businesses see the run-up to Christmas as their busiest time, for lots of B&Bs—especially those in rural areas—the winter months can be the quietest of the year.

In rural Shropshire, where my B&B was based, it was common for most B&Bs to close between October half term and Easter because of the lack of guests wanting to come and stay. Even with 70% repeat business throughout the rest of the year, I found it tough to tempt guests to stay during the winter months.

That said, I always loved welcoming guests in late autumn and winter. It was quieter, more relaxed, and gave me the chance to focus on creating a truly cosy atmosphere. I’d make sure the rooms were warm and welcoming, with bedside lights casting a soft glow to greet guests on arrival.

One of my favourite moments was seeing guests come down to breakfast in the morning. With a log fire roaring in the grate, they’d often exclaim at the stunning view, having arrived in the dark the night before.

As I sit here now, looking out at the late autumn landscape—even on a misty day with low clouds—it’s still a breathtaking sight.

Here are my top tips for creating a B&B experience guests will love, even in the cosier winter months.

Just a heads up, this is a paid sponsored post. This blog relies on the support and trust of readers like you. Collaborating with companies like Out of Eden, and only recommending products I'd actually buy or have been recommended to me by other hospitality providers I trust, helps me keep providing valuable content to you for free.I'll be recommending some products from the UK Hospitality Supplier Out of Eden in this blog post. For more about my collaboration with Out of Eden, read this post >> Where to shop for your hospitality supplies.

Keeping Your Rooms Warm

There are few things less welcoming than arriving at a B&B or hotel room and finding it’s too cold—especially when it’s chilly outside.

Central Heating

If you’re setting up your B&B or planning a refurbishment, consider installing a smart thermostat like Hive or Google Nest.

These internet-connected devices are a great addition to guest rooms, allowing guests to easily adjust the temperature with a simple dial on the wall. At the same time, you can monitor and manage energy usage remotely via a smartphone app, ensuring rooms stay comfortable while maintaining energy efficiency.

As a B&B owner, smart thermostats also give you the flexibility to control room temperatures remotely, turning the heating off when it’s not needed.

Additional Heating

Despite your best efforts to install an efficient heating system, some guests may still feel cold. It’s a good idea to have a couple of portable heaters on hand. You can either leave them in the rooms permanently or let guests know they’re available upon request.

While not the cheapest option, we used a Dyson Hot + Cool fan heater, which quickly warms up a room and doubles as a fan in hot weather. This flexibility ensures guests stay comfortable year-round, no matter the season.

A Final Note on Heating

One challenge of using a smart thermostat is the temptation to check room temperatures frequently—and the potential frustration of seeing just how high some guests set them!

I used to welcome some lovely repeat guests who often stayed during the winter months and spent most of the day in their room. They enjoyed keeping the temperature very warm and would often tell me at breakfast how much they appreciated the heating controls—lounging around in their boxer shorts all day!

While it cost us a bit more in heating, they stayed several times a year for five days at a time. In the end, it balanced out with those guests who preferred a cooler room.

Getting the Bedding Right

One of the simplest ways to add warmth to a room is through layered bedding. Start with a high-tog duvet to keep guests cosy on chilly nights. Out of Eden offers a great range of winter-weight duvets that provide warmth without being too heavy.

Adding an extra blanket or throw at the foot of the bed not only enhances the décor but gives guests an easy way to wrap up warmly. Out of Eden also stocks cost-effective yet stylish blankets and throws that are easy to launder and perfect for a cosy touch.

👩‍💻 Karen’s Tip

• Fold an extra throw on each bed so guests can easily add a layer if needed. Choose soft textures and seasonal colours to make the room feel even cosier.
• Store extra blankets in a storage bag in the wardrobe, along with a flat sheet. Flat sheets are ideal for guests who, like me, prefer sleeping under a summer duvet year-round and need a cooler alternative to a winter-weight duvet.

Create a Small, Inviting Seating Area

Guests are likely to spend more time at your B&B during the winter months. A little seating area can really make a room feel like a cosy retreat. If you have the space, add an armchair or a small sofa, along with a soft cushion or throw. This offers guests a spot to unwind and adds a touch of warmth. If possible, position the seating near a window to let in natural light and make the space even more inviting. And add a nest of tables so they have somewhere to balance a hot drink.

Check out Out of Eden's excellently priced cushions >> Hotel Scatter Cushions

Update Your Guest's Welcome Tray 

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a hot drink on a cold day! A small tea and coffee welcome tray  lets guests warm up with ease. Out of Eden’s compact kettles and welcome trays are perfect for B&B guest rooms, providing a practical and neat way to offer tea, coffee, and perhaps even some hot chocolate.

👩‍💻 Karen’s Tip

• Consider adding seasonal teas or locally sourced options
• Add some extra goodies to your guest welcome tray over the winter months, such as mince pies >> Karen's favourite mince pie recipe

For more tips, read my blog post >> Creating the Perfect Welcome Tray for Your Bed and Breakfast

Add Soft Lighting for a Warm Glow

Lighting is key to creating a welcoming atmosphere. I always used to make sure the bedside lamps were on when I knew guests would be arriving in the dark.

As well as overhead lights, consider softer, layered options like bedside lamps or free standing reading lights. Consider adding warm-toned bulbs or even a dimmable lamp to allow guests to adjust the lighting to their preference. 

👩‍💻 Karen’s Tip

• Bedside Lighting: Ensure bedside lamps are bright enough for reading and have large shades to provide proper illumination. Consider dimmable or touch lamps, so guests can easily adjust the brightness to suit their needs.
• Mood Lighting: Add dimmable main lights and soft accent lighting, like fairy lights or LED strips, to help guests create the perfect atmosphere—whether they’re getting ready or unwinding at the end of the day.
• Consider placing a motion-sensor safety light in hallways, staircases, or bathrooms to help guests navigate safely at night. These lights are a practical addition that automatically illuminate when needed >> Out of Eden Motion Sensor Light

Luxurious Towels and Bathrobes

If your guests are anything like me, the first thing they'll do when they've been out and about on a winter's day is head for a long bath or hot shower!

Provide your guests with quality towels and bathrobes to add a luxurious, spa-like element to their stay. 

Offer a Small Selection of Books and Magazines in the Guest Rooms

With shorter days and longer nights, guests are likely to be spending more time in their rooms than they would at other times of the year.

It's a nice touch to put magazines and novels, as well as books about the local area, in your room. 

👩‍💻 Karen’s Tip

• Keep Magazines Fresh: Make sure any magazines you leave in rooms are up to date and in good condition. Outdated or tatty ones can give the wrong impression, so rotate them regularly to keep the selection interesting.

• Refresh Book Options: Swap out books in guest rooms frequently, especially if you have repeat guests. This ensures they’ll always have something new to browse during their stay. Opt for a mix of genres to cater to different tastes.

• Create a Guest Library: Consider setting up a guest library in your reception area or a shared lounge. Guests can swap books they’ve finished for something new Add a sign encouraging them to contribute to the collection

Keeping Your B&B Hallway Clean in the Winter Months

To keep your B&B hallway clean and organised during the months, especially in rural or coastal areas where guests bring in muddy shoes and wet boots, boot trays and mats can help contain dirt and moisture, protecting your floors. If you have space, a hallway bench with built-in shoe storage provides a comfortable spot for guests to remove shoes and boots.

You can also offer a basket of washable slippers for guests to wear indoors. These can be left by the front door or in the guest room, or both!

A well-placed mat can also enhance the overall look of the entryway while keeping things practical.

Check out these washable slippers and  boot trays and mats from Out of Eden. 

Add Seasonal Decorations

Adding seasonal touches in autumn and winter can make your B&B feel warm and inviting – and it’s not just about Christmas! You can put up decorations all year round. But they are particularly useful in the autumn and winter when fresh flowers are in shorter supply.

You can buy decorations from local craft shops or fairs, or head over to Pinterest for ideas and how-to instructions on making your own!

I’ve put together a Pinterest board filled with a variety of ideas for seasonal decorations >> Karen's Pinterest Boards. While I haven’t personally tried all of these, they should serve as great inspiration. Just a quick reminder: whenever you’re making homemade decorations, always prioritise safety—for yourself, your guests, children, and pets—when choosing supplies and crafting.

Also take a look at Rachel of Charlie's Cottage Instagram posts, she has some reels with some great ideas >> Charlie's Cottage on Instagram

Important Safety Note - If your decorations include candles, always use battery-operated candles or  LED tealights instead of naked flames. The UK Fire Services advise against the use of naked flame candles in Bed and Breakfasts due to the significant fire risks they pose. Candles and tea lights are common causes of fires and, sometimes, fatalities. To enhance safety, it is recommended to use flameless alternatives, such as LED or battery-operated candles, which provide the desired ambiance without the associated fire hazards.

When preparing your B&B for autumn and winter, it’s important to think about guest safety alongside attractive decorations.

In rural areas especially, well-lit entrances and pathways are essential. Use outside lighting, such as motion-sensor lights or festive solar string lights, to guide guests safely to your property.

For icy or wet conditions, keep a supply of salt or grit handy to make paths less slippery.

Non-slip mats at entrances are a must to prevent falls, especially on rainy or frosty days. Inside, ensure rugs and mats are secure and won’t slip underfoot.

Winter Weather Cancellations

While unforeseen circumstances, like flooding, can happen at any time, they're more likely during the winter months. That’s why it’s essential to have clear policies in place for when guests need to cancel.

It’s always a tricky balance between protecting your income and not deterring guests, but you might consider adopting a more flexible cancellation policy in the winter. For example, you could allow guests to move their deposit or paid balance to a future stay—or even offer a full refund.

One B&B I know provides more flexible cancellation terms for guests who book directly, rather than through OTAs. It’s a great incentive to encourage direct bookings.

While bad weather can’t always be predicted—in October this year, we had an unforecasted month’s worth of rain in one day, leading to multiple road closures—you might consider contacting guests in advance if severe weather is forecast. Talking through their options or offering to reschedule their stay can go a long way in building goodwill.

The key is to prepare your policies and responses in advance, so you’re not scrambling for a solution when a guest gets in touch.

Final Thoughts

Winter is the perfect season to add extra touches that make your B&B feel like a cozy retreat. By incorporating warm bedding, soft lighting, and thoughtful additions like tea trays and slippers, you’ll create an environment that your guests will enjoy returning to after a chilly day of exploring. Out of Eden has many of the essentials to help you create that perfect winter atmosphere, from quality bedding to convenient tea stations, ensuring every guest feels warm and welcome.

Your Next Steps to Owning a B&B

Curious about whether owning a B&B is right for you? Start with my First Steps to Owning a Bed and Breakfast mini-course. This practical, beginner-friendly workshop guides you through essential considerations and steps, so you can move forward with confidence. Instant access for just £30—click here to learn more >>  First Steps Workshop

Ready to dive in and make your B&B dream a reality? My Complete Bed and Breakfast Course offers what you need to set up, run, and market a successful B&B Get immediate access to comprehensive training, templates, and resources to help you create the B&B you dream of. Click here to start your journey >> Complete B&B Course