Has being stuck in one place more than usual over the past year due to the global pandemic got you finally ready to buy a vacation property? Or perhaps you’re keen to renovate your weekender abode, so it’s more suitable for longer stays or bigger groups?
No matter where you stand, if you own or plan to buy a vacation home, it’s nice to get it looking and feeling as calm, peaceful, and beautiful as possible. With this type of place, there are some different considerations to a standard property, though.
Understand How the Property Will Be Used by You or Others
Stop to consider how the property will be used by you and your family or by others you may give access to, such as friends, colleagues, or even potential short-term renters. The use of a place can affect design choices since if there will be people you don’t know in the property quite often, you’ll want to avoid adding too many personal touches. If it’s only going to be you and your loved ones, though, you can decorate however you like.
If you plan to rent the abode, you may want to purchase less expensive products since everything will get more wear and tear, and you don’t know how others will treat the home and its belongings. As such, perhaps stick with middle-of-the-range goods that look decent, last okay, but don’t set you back too much. However, if you’re going after a luxury vacation market and will fetch a solid rental fee to match, you can opt for more expensive furnishings, fixtures, accessories, etc.
Keep Location Top of Mind
Before you make too many design choices, keep location top of mind and use that to guide how you style your vacation place. For example, if the property is in the mountains somewhere, particularly a spot that gets cold and sees a lot of snowfall, you might want to opt for a warm, dark color palette that helps to make things feel cozy. You can decorate with deep shades on the wall and floor, add wood paneling, and select soft-to-touch, snuggly fabrics.
On the other hand, if your vacation spot is near the beach or other water, you’ll probably want to stick with light colors. Create a relaxed vibe with easy-care fixtures and furnishings that won’t be too precious when sand and saltwater get factored in.
Splurge on Comfortable Mattresses
While you might think you’re only at your additional abode on occasions throughout the year and therefore don’t need to invest in expensive mattresses, it’s wise to think again. While you’re on vacation, a big part of chilling out and de-stressing is catching up on much-needed sleep and having sleep-ins when you want them.
The best way to make this happen is to ensure you have comfortable mattresses available throughout the property. If you rent out the place to others, they’re sure to comment on the choice of beds, too. When shopping, it pays to select a quality green mattress that isn’t laden with chemicals and that’s kinder to the planet and your health. Add more plushness with mattress protectors, too, and don’t be stingy when it comes to the bed linen you purchase. Everyone wants to rest in soft, breathable fabrics. Pick decent pillows for each bed, too.
Don’t Go Too Formal with the Design
A crucial factor many of us love about vacation properties is that we can kick back and relax in them. As such, don’t go too formal with the design you select for each room. You can create an elegant, timeless look that’s still casual and comfortable by kitting the place out with easy-care materials and furnishings.
Avoid hard-to-clean furniture and fabrics or lots of expensive fine china that you’d stress about if it broke. If you plan to rent the property or will have children or pets spending time in it, it’s even more important to make smart decisions about the level of formality in the home’s design.
Decorate with Little Luxuries for a Nice Touch
One last tip is to add some flourish and flair to your vacation property by carefully considering the little luxuries you add to it. Make the home feel welcoming, and those who stay in it feel like they have an escape through adding indulgent touches. For instance, decorate with aromatic diffusers and candles, plush accent pillows, and super soft and thick towels. Add fresh flowers, coffee machines, and luxury soaps and other toiletries.
Designing a vacation home to be a place you and others want to use repeatedly takes time and careful consideration, plus an investment of funds. You’ll see it’s all worth it when you enjoy the home as a whole once you’ve finished, though.
