Top 6 Biggest Decorating Mistakes in Vacation Rentals

When vacationers are looking for a rental, chances are they will be scrolling through option after option looking for the perfect place. You want to make sure your rental property will stop them in their tracks and delight them once they officially arrive. 

Vacation renters are all about the experience your property can give them. They want to vacation in a place that is more luxurious than their own home. When potential guests are looking for a rental, they want a place to enjoy their family, cook dinners, and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere. 

As a designer, I’ve seen it all when it comes to the homes on today’s rental market. And by “all,” I mean all of the simple yet honest mistakes people make when preparing their homes for rent, mistakes that don’t meet the above demands. This can result in low occupancy rates, a lower price point, and even a bad review. 

The good news? They’re easily remedied. Come learn about the top 6 biggest decorating mistakes I see… and, more importantly, how to fix them.

1. Hand-Me-Down Furniture

Sorry, but that furniture from your aunt’s lake house is no longer an option. The creaky dining table, musty sofa, and heirloom quilts are no longer charming vacation rental features. Instead, vacation renters are looking for a more luxurious space than their own home, and because they are spending more time than just sleeping there, this is a detail that shouldn’t be overlooked. 

Fix the Mistake

When you choose furnishings, be intentional about style and quality. You want your furnishings to make a positive impression, one of luxury, comfort, and cohesion. Therefore, choose pieces that have the same feel and style throughout the property. Although all the furnishings don’t have to be brand new, investing in a sofa, dining set, and bed set is a great place to start. 

2. Dysfunctional Layout

Many vacation rentals, especially larger properties, host large groups and extended families. A well planned furniture layout will go a long way with renters. It’s all about the flow of the house. You want to make sure the pathways are open and easy to access. 

Also, furniture that isn’t to scale will make for an uncomfortable stay. For example, an oversized sofa in a small living room limits seating and flow during a family game night, or a small dining table with only 4 chairs separates the group at mealtimes. How can you avoid this problem?

Fix the Mistake

It’s all about making deliberate furniture choices for each area of the home. For example, you want to have plenty of comfortable seating around the TV area, so make sure the furniture fits the space well, not too big and not too small. Intentionally plan the layout for a large group of people. 

My best tip is to have your number of beds match the number of dining chairs. In other words, if your house sleeps 8, make sure you have 8 dining table chairs.

(In case you missed it, here are the 7 best, long-lasting materials to use in your rental.)

3. Cheap Mattress and Bedding

Have you ever slept on an uncomfortable mattress on vacation? And you had to spend your day with a sore neck? Vacationers will spend hours a night on your rental’s mattress, along with a nap or two. Cheap bedding is noticeable, and there’s no way around it. 

Skimping on bedding is also a big don’t (same goes for towels). Remember, your guests want to experience luxury, not thin, scratchy blankets, and flat pillows, and they may leave a bad review for it.

Fix the Mistake

Focus on an overall feeling of luxury. From when guests slip into the sheets and lay on the pillow to opening their eyes in the morning, it’s all about the experience your bedding provides. The mattress and bedding are one of the areas I say to splurge on because it is such a big deal to guests.

4. An Unfurnished Kitchen

More and more renters are dining in on vacation. Whether it’s to save money or for convenience with a large group, a furnished kitchen is expected. An unfurnished kitchen leaves guests hanging, especially if they have already bought food and have no way to prepare it. 

Fix the Mistake

Provide a clean and functional kitchen with plenty of clear counter space to work on. Including cookware, knives, utensils, matching glassware, and even a good coffee pot can go a long way with keeping guests comfortable, happy, and coming back for more.

5. Themed Decor

You’ve probably seen the beach houses decorated to the nines with all things coastal. I’m talking about the cliche seashells, dolphins, and starfish that tend to fill over-themed Florida rentals. Or you may have seen a mountain home with the overwhelming decor of bears, moose, and pine tree motifs filling the log cabin’s walls. It’s just too much of a good thing and doesn’t create the luxurious feel that guests crave. 

Fix the Mistake

Create the feeling you desire through color and textures instead, and let nature inspire you. For a beachy feel, I love to use the paint color, Sherwin Williams Sea Salt. Its clean, ocean feel mixes well with natural textures (jute, seagrass, linen), glass tiles and pendants, or a soothing backsplash in the kitchen and bathroom. Another favorite of mine is Sherwin Williams Naval for cabinets. It pairs well with other neutral tones you might find at the coastline.

You can also get inspired by my favorite neutral paint colors here.

6. Low-Quality Photography

Your property’s first online impression matters… a lot. To stop the scroll, your property’s photos must be excellent and stand out from the competition. That means choosing to have professional photographs taken over your perhaps smudgy iPhone camera. Yes, I know iPhones can take some pretty high-quality photos these days, but professional photography still stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Fix the Mistake

Professional photography highlights the best features of your space, adds perceived value to the rental, and can even make it look bigger. Better yet, a professional will know which angles will make the space look larger and more attractive — it’s their job! I suggest looking for a photographer who specializes in real estate photography or interiors for the best results. 

There you have it — 6 tips for creating a luxurious and memorable rental experience for your guests. All in all, it comes down to the little touches that make the guests feel special and cared for. Together, these touches can allow you to please your guests, increase your nightly rate and increase your overall rental profitability. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Need help updating your rental property? We’d love to help. Book a call with us here and let’s get to know each other.

Warmly

Sarah (& Steve)