We had the pleasure of being part of the design process for a beautiful, cozy cabin in Broken Bow, Oklahoma this past year. From paint colors and lighting, to furniture and decor, we were part of the entire process. We are just thrilled with how it turned out and so excited to share our tips for designing a vacation rental with you! We will be splitting up the reveal on this beautiful home, so be sure to check back and see all the looks.
TIP ONE
DESIGN FOR YOUR RENTERS, NOT YOU
When designing for a rental home, the process was a little different than designing for a clients personal home. Instead of working with the homeowner and determining their family’s specific wants and needs, we had to design for how we know the home needs to function as a rental and create a space that feels both luxurious and comfortable for the guest.
TIP TWO
INVEST IN QUALITY FURNISHINGS
If you want to attract the modern vacation rental traveler and start maximizing your rental revenue, investing in quality furniture is essential. The furniture in vacation rentals get a lot more wear than furniture in your own home.
Invest in key pieces such as couches, dining tables, chairs, and comfortable beds and you will save money in the long run as you won’t have to replace them as often. Beautifully furnished and decorated spaces = higher rental rates. The more you invest, the more you will get back.
TIP THREE
MAKE YOURS STAND OUT
That tiny thumbnail next to the listing title serves as the first impression for your home, so it has to stand out. One way we made BLACK BEAUTY stand out was by going with a two-toned kitchen with pewter green cabinets and a natural wood island.
Not only is it unique by standing out in a sea of white kitchens, it also gives the home a more curated and elevated aesthetic that renters are looking for when choosing their vacation rental. Incorporate some design elements that will stop them in their scroll.
TIP FOUR
ABUNDANT AMENITIES
From washers and dryers to an assortment of family-friendly games to entertain the kids for hours; Today’s travelers are becoming more familiar with vacation rental platforms, and expect all of their needs to be considered at a rental.
They aren’t just looking for a home with room for eight to sleep comfortably, they are looking for a specific experience that is more exclusive than when they are at home. For instance, todays traveler who is looking for a rental with a hot tub and patio, may also expect an outdoor living area and an alfresco dining table.
TIP FIVE
EMBRACE THE LOCATION
For short-term rentals, it’s smart to sprinkle in a few pieces that remind renters where they are. Whether it be art from a local artist, a coffee table book about the location, or some natural elements like this chunk of granite we found outside the cabin. You don’t necessarily want to “theme” the rental too much, but a few subtle things will create more of an experience for your guests.
We hope you enjoyed our tips for designing a vacation rental home! I’d love to hear which tip you found to be most helpful in the comments below! As you can see from the photo above, this house has come a long way from when we started and we are so excited to continue to reveal more of this project, as well as others so be sure to subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram HERE!
Images Captured by: Cameron Photography
I totally agree when you said that modern travelers would want to find properties with quality furniture. Personally, I am looking for a short-term vacation rental property this coming August. I plan to rent one for a month together with my family to celebrate my birthday and unwind, ultimately.