Many people are entering the vacation rental industry as a means of passive income. This makes the industry increasingly saturated. So, taking measures to excel and make your summer rental stand out among competitors is essential.
One of the foremost factors that makes a world of difference is the interior design of your vacation home. It catches the guest’s eye — and keeps them raving for long after they’re gone. And, of course, fantastic reviews.
In this blog post, we discuss the top tips for designing vacation homes to increase the profitability of your summer rental business!
Tailor Your Vacation Home to Suit Every Type of Guest
Credit: Dkor Interiors
Expand your target market by equipping your vacation home with facilities that attract every type of guest.
Families with children. Get a baby gate around the pool and one at the top or bottom of the stairs to keep toddlers safe. Provide strollers, high chairs, and car seats so the guests don’t have to cram their cars while travelling. Don’t forget to offer information about zoos, closest grocery stores, and parks.
Guests “away on business.” Create well-lit spaces with the latest technologies, such as high-speed internet, scanners, and printers. Provide extras like luxury travel toiletries, cooking services, cell phone chargers, etc., along with estimated drive times to major points in the city from your home.
Travellers with mobility problems. Include features like a wet room, folding wheelchair ramp, and detachable grab rails to adapt the interior to people with disabilities.
Lovebirds. Introduce features like a cosy two-seater near a fireplace and a porch swing for couples to enjoy. Make sure to provide all the extra amenities like surfboards or sledges in pairs. Special gifts like champagne or a towel swan over the bed are other thoughtful ideas.
The groups. Offer parking for multiple cars, additional inflatable beds, and a kitchen equipped to prepare meals for many people. You can also provide information about public transport and the locations of local restaurants.
Prioritise Creating an Experience over Furnishing
Credit: Dream Vacation Interiors
While functional furniture is a must, extending beyond the essentials will definitely provide your vacation home an extra advantage over others. Some ideas you can try out include:
Create a cosy nook. From a reading nook in the living room, a movie nook in the balcony, or the porch to a breakfast nook in the kitchen, there are tons of exciting options.
Provide thoughtful amenities, such as a coffee or tea station, candle-dinner decor, wine bottles, a selection of books, movies, and games, greeting cards, stone diffusers, homemade jams or local cheeses, a mini golf area, etc.
Keep the place clean and hygienic. Carry out a deep clean before the guests arrive, replenish paper towels and soap in the kitchen and bathroom, provide clean pillows, linens, and blankets in the bedroom, make sure the dishwasher, washing machine, and trash cans are emptied, and clean up the outdoors.
Introduce the latest trends in short-term rental properties to your vacation home with ideas like well-lit spaces, plenty of storage, natural elements, etc.
Maximise Occupancy
Credit: Home Designing
Even if your vacation rental has limited square footage, you can always increase the occupancy with smart tips and tricks. Prioritising multifunctional furniture, such as daybeds, sleeper sofas, bunk beds, or loft beds, over standard-sized beds is a good idea. A coffee table that doubles as a dining table and a bookcase that can be used as a room divider will also help. Other fun ideas that make the home more exciting, such as mirrors that can be converted into a TV or a chair that turns into a ladder, can inject some extra fun and entertainment into the space.
Create a Functional Outdoor Space to be Used for Entertainment Purposes
Credit: WAKE Design Development
Sprucing up the outdoor area of your vacation rental will not only give you a benefit over competitors but will also strike a great first impression on your guests. After all, everyone appreciates fresh air, regardless of whether you have a mountain ski abode or a beachfront home.
Choose comfortable outdoor furniture. Durable, modern, and weather-resistant furniture are worth the investment.
Match the home’s capacity. Provide seating and table surface that meets the needs of your maximum occupancy.
Introduce a few homey accents, such as throw pillows, area rugs, metal wall hangings, or potted plants. You can also add a bar or a cooking area if you have a higher budget.
Provide outdoor-friendly crockery to prevent shattered glass near the pool or on the grass where people roam barefoot.
Get the grill ready with instructions on how to use it, and make a splash with a hot tub with towels and water toys for a luxurious feel.
Keep the yard relaxation ready with a peaceful reading bench or a hammock paired with vibrant flowers and succulents.
Consider Small Workstations
Credit: Caitlin Marie Design
Working remotely has become the new norm. So why not create an inspirational bedroom-office combo to help workaholic tenants enjoy their trip while staying on top of their business tasks?
A good internet connection, soft task lighting, an ergonomic desk and chair, a printer, a whiteboard, adequate charging stations, and a few plants will create a motivational workspace. You can always add and subtract from these ideas to create a workstation that works for your guests.
Add Lots of Plants
Credit: My Domaine
Plants have incredible benefits for both mental and physical health, keeping you happier and healthier. Guests, whether young or old, will all appreciate how the leafy greens positively impact the environment.
You can opt for something simple like succulents and air plants or create a statement with fancier options like tall plants (e.g., Devil’s Ivy) and dense plants (e.g., the ZZ plant).
Final Words
Ready to spruce up your vacation home? Introduce the aforementioned tips to your property, provide prompt customer service, and make the guests feel at home. We guarantee your vacation home will stand out and attract the highest possible number of clients!
Need help with decorating your rental property and making it stand out? Contact one of our Interior Design Gurus for professional advice and guidance!