Not wanting a sterile hotel room environment, potential guests are looking for something special and personalized, with space to spread out and enjoy. A well-decorated vacation rental can significantly enhance your guests' experience and attract repeat bookings. By creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere, you'll leave a lasting impression and encourage positive reviews. Here are some tips to help you decorate your vacation rental.
CREATING A COZY HAVEN IN YOUR VACATION RENTAL
The short term rental market is becoming more competitive with travelers searching for and expecting increasingly unique experiences. Styling a vacation rental home can be tricky, as it’s not the same as designing your own home. Choose an aesthetic that reflects your personal taste and complements the property's surroundings. Popular styles include coastal, rustic, modern, bohemian, vintage, etc. Honor your location, whether it’s a breezy coastal cottage or a rugged cabin, stay true to the location and don’t be afraid to be a little kitschy, since little touches of whimsy are usually what attracts people to pay more to stay in a short term rental.
- Create an Inviting Living Space: Arrange ample seating for guests to relax and socialize, and provide entertainment options such as a TV or board games for them to enjoy. Use a combination of natural and artificial lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
- Design a Comfortable Bedroom: Invest in high-quality mattresses, pillows, and linens to ensure a restful sleep. Add touches like throw pillows, blankets, and bedside lamps to create a relaxing atmosphere.
- Create a Functional Kitchen: Ensure the kitchen is equipped with all the necessary appliances and utensils, and provide basic cooking supplies, such as oil, salt, pepper, and spices. The dining area should be welcoming and able to comfortably accommodate all of the guests.
First impressions matter, ensure the entranceway to the space is welcoming and well-maintained. Consider who your ideal or target guests are (families, couples, business travelers, etc) and try to design your decor to appeal to their preferences. Pay attention to small details like having a high chair available or a small desk and chair. Consider providing toiletries, extra clean towels and linens, a mirror and a hairdryer. Encourage guests to leave reviews and take their feedback into consideration for future improvements.
HOW TO FURNISH A VACATION RENTAL
When it comes to decorating and furnishing your vacation rental, it requires a significantly different mindset, because the space is no longer only about you and your style and wishes, it involves appealing to a much wider demographic. It’s also important to remember that your guests will probably not take care of your place with the same love and respect as you would and your things will likely be subject to heavier use, wear and tear.
Durability is first and foremost for furnishing vacation rentals. Look for pieces that are well made and easy to clean. Consider couches with removable and washable covers for example and a dining table with a glass or stone top. White rugs, delicate fabrics and expensive breakables are not practical in a rental. So whether it’s functional or decorative, it needs to be durable and cleanable. Avoid dust-collectors like fake plants, fabric headboards, chandeliers and anything that will show dust over time. If you choose more complicated furnishings, be prepared to pay for regular deep cleans.
Lighting is essential for every room and shouldn’t be overlooked. Furnish your rental with an adequate number of lamps. Bedrooms should have lights on either side of the bed, plus a lamp on the dresser and/or an overhead light. Bathrooms should be brightly lit, and don't overlook nightlights, there are ones with sensors that can be installed in key areas to provide lighting at night so your guests don’t bump into things and it saves energy.
By following these tips, you can create a vacation rental that is both visually appealing and comfortable for your guests. A well-decorated space will leave a lasting impression and contribute to positive reviews, ultimately leading to more bookings and a successful rental business.
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