The modern traveler has grown tired of the monotony that permeates the hotel industry. Nowadays, vacationers are looking to experience that distinct local vibe and way of life that only a private house or apartment can offer.
With local artwork and decor, a carefully-curated selection of furniture, and an intimate feel, your vacation rental should have no problem appealing to this modern demographic of inquisitive travelers.
However, it’s not like private accommodation is not a competitive industry. Amazing rentals are everywhere around you, and if you want to stand out from the rest, you will need to go the extra mile when it comes to design and decor. In essence, you need to make a homey ambiance come to life. Here’s how you can achieve this with small changes that can make a big difference.
Make It Fresh, Make It Light
One of the first things vacationers will notice upon stepping through the front door (and even while browsing the pictures of the vacation rental property online), is lighting. The amount of natural light that permeates the interior along with the look and feel it creates when it’s bouncing off the walls can make all the difference in shaping the perception of the property.
With that in mind, let there be light! This is also one of the fundamental rules of successful interior design – let plenty of natural light saturate every room. Help the light work its magic by adding a fresh coat of paint to rejuvenate the entire interior and make it look like it’s never been lived in before. This will help your guests feel welcome, comfortable, and right at home.
Create a Secluded Bedroom Oasis
Sprucing up the bedroom should be one of your top priorities when trying to revitalize a vacation rental, as this is a sacred space where people want to feel safe, intimate, and of course, cozy as well. To that end, be sure to optimize the room for unhindered comfort no matter the time of day.
Start with the bed and look for frames and mattresses that fit the tone and theme of the room, such as those found in the catalog of King Living and other leading furniture brands. While aesthetics should play a vital role, do emphasize functionality of the piece as well.
Surround the bed with all of the features required to create a cozy nest, such as a wooden side table, a soft rug underneath, and don’t forget to put plenty of complementary pillows against the headrest to boot. For an added dash of intimacy, add Venetian blinds on the windows, and put a floral arrangement or a potted plant on every surface.
Place Local Art Throughout the Interior
As we’ve mentioned earlier, people want and need to experience the local culture and the local way of life. Your country, region, or city has its unique cultural heritage and customs so be sure to weave those into the setting through art and decor.
A clear example of this would be Japan. Private accommodation is vastly more popular in Japan than hotels, simply because of the way private vacation rentals depict and portray traditional Japanese culture through interior design.
And you can bet that people are dying to experience it for all it’s worth. Follow the same mindset, and use local art and customs to bring a charming setting to life, one that first-time visitors will find compelling and inspirational, and make them fall in love with your rental property.
Emphasize the Coziness of the Living Room
The living room is the focal point of the interior, and as such, it needs to portray certain values and emanate a distinct feeling of comfort, beauty, and serenity. After all, the key is to inspire your guests to feel right at home here and guide them towards the comfiest spots in the room, such as the sectional, the lounger in the corner, or the reading nook by the window.
You can start by crafting an inviting seating area in the center of the room. Use one grand sofa as the focal point, and then surround it with armchairs people can sink into. Make sure comfort permeates the setting by layering chunky floor rugs throughout, paying close attention to create a comfy resting spot for their feet.
No matter how big the room might be, strive to put everything at arm’s length by putting a small side table at each end of the sofa, and next to every armchair.
Pay Special Attention to the Bathroom
The bathroom is also one of those areas that can make or break a sale. Or in your case, attract or deter potential renters. Quite simply, there can be no compromise when it comes to decorating and designing the bathroom, but luckily you needn’t tend to any cumbersome renovations to achieve that highly sought-after, glistening effect.
There are three basic pillars of bathroom design you should stick to: illumination, cleanliness, and functionality. Most importantly, people will judge your bathroom (and by extension, your entire short-term rental property) by the cleanliness it exudes.
Make sure the bathroom is squeaky-clean first and foremost, and then tend to minor repairs if they’re needed. Again, let plenty of natural light in, and make sure to declutter as much as possible.
Declutter the Entire Interior
Speaking of decluttering, this is the final, and one of the most important tasks you should tend to that will determine the success of your vacation rental. Keep in mind that your notion of “warm and homey” might not coincide with that of your guests, and the more you clutter the space with trinkets and furniture, the higher the chances of dissuading potential renters.
The key here is to embrace a semi-minimalist mindset, and simply keep the space open and clutter-free as much as possible. Stick to the necessary furniture and amenities, add a few striking accents throughout as we’ve mentioned earlier, and let the rest of the space breathe. Add plenty of storage as well to make their stay as comfortable as possible.
The vacation rental industry is undoubtedly booming around the world, which creates an opportunity for you to rise to the top of the listings in your area and attract top vacationers across the globe. Follow these tips to separate your property from the rest and create the vacation rental people will love.
This article has been contributed by Tracey Clayton.