BnB Styles
Whether you are new to owning a vacation home or you’re a seasoned hotelier of multiple vacation destinations, this one’s for you! The most important step in creating, or reinventing your vacation rental empire (after securing your property that is) is deciding on the right design style. As professional designers who specialize in this multi-billion dollar industry, we have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. We are here to make sure you don’t end up in the latter of the 3 categories, so let’s get to it!
It is crucial to get one thing straight before we move forward. Designing for a vacation home is not the same as interior design for your personal residence. This is often an opportunity where we spend a lot of time educating our clients. When you are designing for your personal home you are designing to live in it. You will make sure it has all of your wants and needs (and let’s not forget Pinterest boards) incorporated into the plan. You will spend countless hours defining what makes your home perfect for your family and reflects your personality so when your friends and family come over, they gush all about how this place is soooooo you! You may notice a theme here… the common denominator here is YOU.
When you are designing for a vacation rental the last thing your guests want to see there (no offense) is you! Think of your new found nest egg as a business, (this is covered more in depth in another blog) so let’s start with a plan. Your guests want functionality, comfort and style. Choosing the right design aesthetic could be based on your demographic, location, homes architecture, nearby attractions or simply what’s currently on trend.
If your property is a 1920’s Art Deco masterpiece then clearly, modern farmhouse does not apply. We want to tell a story with your specific design that connects guests emotionally to the experience they want to have while on vacation. Take a look at some of the options we have created for you to get inspired.
Now that we have established a style that is appropriate for your vacation home let’s talk about the next 5 important steps.
Pick a color, any color
Once you have picked your design style, determine your color palette and make a board, online or on paper and keep it with you while you’re working on your design. You never know when you will be somewhere that you find something you love, but you’re not sure if it will go with the colors you have chosen. You’ll refer back to this a lot, and it keeps you from making a mistake on shades and tones.
Hire a professional
If you can afford to get a designer involved (we think you can’t afford not to) then do your research. Make sure you are hiring a professional who specializes in vacation rental design and ask to see their work, read reviews and contact previous clients for testimonials. Even if you think your budget is too small to afford a fancy designer then just start small with a consultation. Paying a professional for consultation work will be less than the price of a sofa and packed with great tips and tricks to get you started and on your way.
Don’t forget the LIGHTS
Update the lighting in the home to go with your style choices, this is often overlooked but a game changer. Play with different textures, sizes and shapes to give your home style and flare (pun intended).
Choose quality furniture
Quality over quantity! If budget is an issue, opt for a more minimal look and well constructed pieces that you can add to over time versus a full house of miss-matched thrift store finds. This matters, A LOT! It’s the difference between staying at a luxury hotel vs a roadside motel.
Functionality
Know who your guests are and what they want when they’re away from home, then choose the furniture and accents that accommodate those needs. Comfortable mattresses, plenty of towels and linens, coffee makers, pool friendly dish-ware, toiletries, lounge-worthy sofas, patio seating are just a few at the top of the list.
Now, you are on your way to selecting the perfect style for your rental and cashing in on the hospitality craze that’s here to stay. As always, if you’re not ready to do it all yourself, then visit us here at TurnKey BNB. We can take on your project, big or small, and within any budget!
