How to Decorate Your Vacation Rental
Make more Money, Get Higher Occupancy, stand out from the competition and get great reviews
Decorating your vacation rental (AirBnB, VBRO) is essentially the same process as decorating your regular home, with some key differences in the details. (The devil is in the details, you know.) The goal should be to create a hotel room with soul. You must take an objective point of view, and see your home as a hospitality business. You are the CEO of a small boutique hotel.
The key is knowing your target market and your local aesthetic. Are you catering to families, couples, groups? Are you located in a bustling city center or remote oasis? Your decor should reflect your guests needs, and the local scene. TIP: don’t use easily stained fabrics in a place meant for families, don’t decorate your city center loft in a beach theme.
Remember, you are now in the Hospitality business, so your furnishings and decor should be of the caliber of any 5 star hotel. This means, in addition to a beautifully thought out decorating scheme, you must have durable, washable furniture (slip covers, leather, Krypton fabrics), high end bed linens and towels (all white for bleaching), an organized and de-cluttered space, amenities and safety necessities.
While style and decor are important, of course, so is your guests overall experience. So, my guide includes decorating advice, as well as pointers on providing a fully equipped, well rounded accommodation.
Below is a bullet list of items to think about and provide.
Basic Decorating Plan How-To
- Program – Decide your plan of action: Target Market, Style, Inspiration, Budget, Wants, Needs & Priorities
- Space Plan – Map out your circulation paths & furnishings & storage. Best to measure your space, and draw up a scaled floor plan. (Here’s how to measure your space.)
- Select furnishings, decor items, lighting, rugs, window treatments & art
- Select Paint colors
- Make necessary repairs & paint
- Install
House & Property
If you think, Will my guest notice?… They will.
- Fix or remove any broken items
- Guest privacy is of utmost importance
- Provide window coverings
- Obscure views on decks and porches, if neighbors are close
- Make sure the whole place Smells good
- Everything should be impeccably clean
- Put out fresh flowers or greenery
- Use Febreze plug-ins, or BBW Wall Flowers
- TIP – Do not try to cover up bad smells. Make sure that any damp, mold, pet odors, cooking smells, etc are cleaned, repaired and dealt with. Clean everything thoroughly. Only add scents to a clean, fresh smelling space to enhance the experience and help create memories.
- Update your Tech, for you and your guests
- Great Wifi
- Streaming Services, Chromecast and/or Cable TV
- Bluetooth connected devices
- Security cameras (outdoors only)
- Remote Security System
- Video doorbell
- Noise detectors
- Smart Thermostat
- Smart Locks, like this Schlage
- Create an experience your guests will want to come back to
- Create Social Media Moments where your guests can take pics and share on their Facebook, Instagram etc. (Hello, free marketing!)
- Unique Decor
- Mural Wall
- Garden area
- Amazing view
Decorating
- Decorate for your target market: Families, Couples, Groups (social, family, corporate)
- Define your local aesthetic
- What your location’s look? Beach, Boho, Urban, Tropical, Mountain
- TIP – Don’t be too literal, use the location as inspiration, and decorate with elements that remind people of the area they came to visit.
- Create a narrative or history of your property
- Define your property’s personal style or theme
- Go bold. Your place needs to be striking and stand out from the competition
- TIP – Use this wisely and with intent, don’t overwhelm guests with too much.
- Coordinate color and texture to support your style/theme
- Greet guests with a great entry & front door
- Emphasize Views
- Bring the outdoors in, if you’re in a beautiful natural area
- Invest in smart furniture and decor choices that will last a long time
- Keep large items neutral and cleanable
- Slip Covers
- Leather
- Krypton fabrics
- Invest in good quality, durable furniture
- Slip-covered or quality Leather furniture is best for cleaning & long wear
- Beautiful Art, locally themed, by local artists if possible
- Add a variety of lighting from general to ambient
- Pair old & New. Along with new, durable furnishings, soften the look by adding vintage or antique pieces for a homey, lived in feel.
- Place fresh cut flowers around the house
- Use faux plants minimally, if at all
- Keep nick-knacks to a minimum
Organizing
- De-personalize
- Remove Clutter & Knick-Knacks
- Curate your collections
- Remove valuable items
- Move any personal items to a locked closet or cabinet
- Provide plenty of storage: Dressers drawers, closets, wardrobes (remove your personal clothing and items)
Clean, uncluttered spaces have a calming effect and won’t overwhelm guests.
Kitchen
- Clean out the fridge & pantry- only have water, wine, champagne, locally made specialty foods, local coffee
- Keep worktop areas clear. Put away toasters etc.
- Clean, Clean, Clean
- Provide the basics
- Sharp knives & Cutting board
- Plates, bowls, utensils, cups, pots/pans
- Silicone or wood spatula
- Vegetable peeler
- Cheese grater –
- Whisk
- Coffee maker – this can be an “American” style drip coffee maker, espresso machine, Keureg, French press, etc. Be sure to leave instructions.
- Tea kettle
- Can opener
- Wine bottle opener
- Salt & Pepper
- Dish soap and brand new sponges
Bedrooms
- The Bed is the star of the show
- White sheets ONLY – The Gold Standard of the hospitality industry
- Pillow top or Memory foam mattress
- Variety of pillows, soft, firm & down
- At least 2 pillows per person
- Use a wood or metal headboard
- Upholstered headboards can be difficult to clean
- Add color and texture with throw pillows and blankets
- Bedside tables on both sides of the bed
- Bedside lamps on both sides of the bed
- Full length mirrors
- Blackout blinds, shades or curtains for light control and privacy
- Plenty of storage in drawers and closet
- Remove your personal clothing and items
Bathrooms
- High quality toiletries
- Plenty of Towels
- Bath Mat
- Bathrobes
- hair dryer
- Feminine products
- New toothbrush (someone always forgets theirs)
Concierge
- Create a concierge area or desk
- Make a local guidebook with important information, procedures, and personal recommendations for things to do, places to eat and places to shop. You can place it all in a binder, or have it printed and bound professionally.
- Welcome Letter
- House Rules
- Parking & Transportation Information
- Guest Wi-Fi Password
- Instructions for appliances and electronics
- Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Bars
- Day Trips
- Local Sight seeing
- Shopping
- Your Contact Info and the rental’s address
- Emergency numbers
- Check out procedure
- Post Wifi password signs in several locations
Amenities
- Leave a lovely Welcome Gift
- Bottled water (Remove labels, or add your own branded label)
- Local beer or wine
- Local cheeses
- Local chocolate
- A voucher for a complimentary coffee, cocktail, pizza, etcCheck with local businesses about partnering
- Snacks
- Local Koozies
- microwave popcorn
- Locally handmade soaps, lotions or candles
- Maps of the area
- Champagne (especially when they mention an anniversary or celebration!)
- Provide local gear that out of towners may forget: raincoats, umbrellas, beach towels
- Provide plenty of amenities. If you “Sleep 8”, also have seating, dining, place settings, towels, blankets, etc for 8
- Create a charging station for phones etc
Safety Necessities
- Fire extinguisher (especially in the kitchen)
- First aid kit
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Smoke detectors
- Heat detector (in kitchen)
- Emergency contact information for you and/or a friend
- Keep corridors , landings, doorways, etc clear, esp ones that leave outside
- Remove any trip hazards
- Identify escape route
Marketing
- Have your own website in addition to listings
- Professional photos
- Drone photos
- Great description
- Highlight your Reviews
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