Types of interior design for your holiday rental

November 2023

Whether your property is listed on holiday rental platforms like Holidu, Booking.com, or Airbnb, or if you have hired someone to manage it, the look and feel of a holiday rental are crucial for its success in the market. Interior improvements can help increase your rental’s occupancy rate and boost your rates.

To assist you in this area, we’ve gathered information to provide you with tips on how to decorate a holiday rental. Interested? Keep reading!

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Guide to decorating your rental properties:

Inspiration board:

Before starting the decoration of your rental property, it’s essential to create an inspiration board. Why? This board will act as your creative compass and help you visualise the space you want to create. Make the most of your idea board!

• Define your ideas: Use online platforms like Pinterest or create a physical board in your home to organise your ideas about colours, furniture, or decorative elements.
• Visualise coherently: An inspiration board allows you to see all your decoration ideas at the same time. Plus, you can assess how different pieces and colours work together.
• Consider your audience: Think about who your guests will be. Travelers seeking adventure, couples on a romantic getaway, or families looking for comfort? Design your space with a target audience in mind!

Choosing your colour palette:

When selecting the colour palette for your holiday rental, consider the location and theme of the property. The perfect combination of colours makes a difference in your guests’ experience!

Here are some suggestions:

• Beach: Blue tones or white palettes can capture the feel of the coast and create a relaxing atmosphere.
• City centre: Properties in urban areas can use colours that reflect the vibrant yet elegant city lifestyle, such as grayscale, black, or other cool tones.
• Rural houses and villas: If you want to create a tranquil space for your guests, opt for neutral and soft colours that promote relaxation.

Create harmony with the 60-30-10 rule:

The 60-30-10 rule is an effective guide to maintaining a cosy balance between colours in your space. Let’s understand how this rule works and learn to apply it successfully:

• 60% – Main Color: It’s the dominant colour and should cover about 60% of the property. Opt for a light neutral tone as the main colour. This colour should be present in larger areas (like walls) and decorations (like tables or sofas).
• 30% – Secondary Colour: It complements the main colour, and you can choose a slightly more intense shade. This colour should appear in about 30% of the property and can be present in elements like the floor.
• 10% – Accent Colour: It’s a colour that adds personality and life to each space. Compared to the two previous, considered more subtle colours, this one should be more vivid. You can use it in decorative details like objects, paintings, and small furniture.

Decoration ideas for your holiday rental

Create a cosy living room:

The living room is the heart of any holiday home, playing a vital role in your guests’ vacation experience. To make your clients feel at home, we suggest keeping in mind the design:

• Unique Coffee Table: Place some books and decorative items like flowers, and consider including board games to provide entertainment for your guests.
• Comfortable Seating: Choosing comfortable, stylish, and durable sofas or armchairs is essential. Ensure they are affordable without compromising quality. Add large, soft cushions that match the room’s colour palette for comfort and a cosy touch.
• Add a Rug: Make sure the rug matches the room’s colours and theme. Also, choose one that is easy to clean to keep the property in perfect condition.
• Add Decorative Touches: Incorporate decorative elements that reflect your property’s theme. For example, if you have accommodation near the beach, you can add a special touch by including seashells.

Styles to inspire living room decoration

• Boho Style: Characterised by a relaxed and bohemian atmosphere, use warm earthy colours as a base and add cushions with ethnic patterns and natural elements like plants and wood. Furniture is often antique or vintage, creating a sense of eclecticism.
  • Key elements for achieving a Boho-style living room decoration:
    • Natural elements: Add natural elements like hanging plants, ceramic pots, wicker baskets, and untreated wooden furniture. These elements will bring freshness and an organic touch to your living room.
    • Texture-rich fabrics: Incorporate woven blankets, linen curtains, or wall tapestries to add texture and warmth.
    • Art and travel objects: Travel items such as tribal masks, exotic musical instruments, or handmade textiles can be excellent decorative pieces.
    • Hanging lamps: Choose Moroccan-style pendant lamps or rice paper lamps to create ambient and ethereal lighting in your living room.
    • Personal style: Don’t hesitate to add personal touches such as collectables, travel souvenirs, and unique pieces that reflect your personality.

• Scandinavian Minimalism: Based on simplicity and functionality, use a palette of neutral colours like white, grey, and earth tones to create a sense of spaciousness and brightness. Furniture has clean and simple lines, and decoration tends to be discreet. This style is ideal if you’re looking for a serene and clutter-free environment.
  • If you want a living room that exudes peace and order, here are some key elements:
    • Open spaces: Minimalism advocates for open and uncluttered spaces. Avoid the accumulation of unnecessary objects and furniture. Keep the living room as clear as possible.
    • Subtle textures: Add subtle textures to prevent the space from feeling too cold. You can incorporate textiles like short-pile rugs, linen cushions, and lightweight curtains.
    • Minimalist art: Opt for minimalist artwork or framed natural landscape photographs. Less is more when it comes to wall decoration.
    • Lighting: Simple ceiling lamps and Scandinavian-style floor lamps are ideal for creating functional and stylized lighting.
    • Plants: Adding indoor plants is an excellent way to bring a touch of nature to the space. Design pots or hanging pots are a popular choice.
    • Hidden storage furniture: Choose storage furniture that can hide clutter and keep the space tidy, such as coffee tables with internal storage.

With these ideas, you can create a cosy and appealing living room for your guests without spending a fortune. Remember that decoration can make a difference in your guests’ experience!

Create a charming bedroom:

The bedroom is a crucial place where guests rest after their daily activities. Therefore, it’s essential to provide decoration and amenities that make their stay pleasant and relaxing. Here are some ideas for decorating your holiday rental bedroom:

• Quality Bedding: Opt for high-quality sheets made from natural fibres like cotton or linen. Choose colours that match the room’s colour palette to create a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.
• Headboard and Bedside Tables: Adding eye-catching pieces like a unique headboard or bedside tables can give character to the bedroom. Additionally, these pieces are practical, providing extra storage space in the room.
• Proper Lighting: Lamps on bedside tables or string lights can create a cosy and comfortable atmosphere.
• Decoration: You can add small decorative items on shelves and place artwork on the bedroom walls. Plants and flowers are also elements that can beautify the room.
• Mirror: Adding a mirror to the bedroom can be useful for your guests and can also make the room appear more spacious and bright.
• Furniture: If space allows, consider adding some seating furniture, such as a chair or a comfortable armchair.
• Soft Rug: Adding a soft rug in the bedroom provides additional comfort and adds a touch of warmth to the space.

Examples of bedroom decoration for inspiration:

• Boho-style Bedroom Decoration:

• • • Incorporate warm colors.
    • Cushions with ethnic patterns.
    • Natural elements like plants.

• Scandinavian Minimalist Bedroom Decoration:

• • Neutral colours as a base.
  • Clean and functional furniture.
  • Use of subtle textiles.

Create a cosy and relaxing bathroom:

To create a spa-like atmosphere in your holiday rental bathroom and provide your guests with a relaxing experience, consider the following tips:

• Quality Towels: Ensure you provide good-quality towels. They should be soft, absorbent, and in sufficient quantity to meet your guests’ needs. Offering at least one bath towel per guest and a spare is a good strategy.
• Plants: They add a touch of freshness and tranquillity to the bathroom. Our advice is to opt for artificial plants or low-maintenance real plants, as these rooms often generate a lot of humidity, which can affect some plants that require more specific care.
• Toiletries and Ornaments: Provide quality toiletries such as soaps and lotions to pamper your guests. You can also add small distinctive items that match your bathroom’s theme, such as soap pumps or bath salts.
• Mirror: Make sure there is a mirror in the bathroom so your guests can prepare comfortably. A well-lit mirror is especially useful.
• Bath Mats: Placing soft and fluffy bath mats ensures that guests feel comfortable when stepping out of the shower.Cleaning Items: Don’t forget to provide essential cleaning items such as a brush and a plunger to enhance your guests’ comfort.

Expert design secrets for a comfortable and cosy holiday rental

• Consider the location of your accommodation and decorate it according to the spirit of the place.
• Pay attention to details that make guests feel pampered. In bedrooms, use high-quality white sheets, colourful cushions, and quilts to add accents and contrasts. Regarding bathrooms, place a full roll of toilet paper in each one and offer small handmade soaps. You can also consider incorporating individual vases with one or two flowers.
• A single interesting, beautiful, or quirky item can enhance the decoration even if you have ordinary furniture. Look for pieces with a distinctive design or use items creatively.
• Art plays a significant role, and you can support your community by purchasing local paintings, furniture, and other decorative items, making your holiday rental a unique and special place.
• Before welcoming guests, make sure the space is properly organised and clean. Keep the bathroom and kitchen especially clean, as this can influence the overall perception of cleanliness. In this article, we provide recommendations for making your property cleaning and maintenance more effective.
• Some guests need an office space in the destinations they visit, so if you plan to offer longer stays, it’s essential to have a workspace. In a remote work context, this aspect becomes crucial, and in this article, we tell you how you can adapt your holiday rental to the needs of remote workers.

How to decorate a beach rental?

Decorating a beachfront apartment for rent may seem like a simple task, but any design project requires planning and attention to detail. Here are some tips to create a unique and appealing atmosphere in your vacation rental.

• When decorating a beachfront apartment for rent, it’s essential that the decoration style harmonises with the coastal environment. Incorporate natural elements such as wood, stone, shells, or rocks to create a relaxing atmosphere. Also, choose colours that suit your accommodation’s location, such as white, brown, beige, or grey, evoking the tranquillity of the sea.
• Opt for weather-resistant materials for the coastal climate, such as stainless steel, treated wood, tempered glass, ceramic, and high-quality plastics. These materials are not only durable but also easy to clean and maintain.
• Decorative objects allow you to add a personal touch to your beachfront apartment. Consider paintings, pictures, vinyl records, statues, or sculptures to create a unique atmosphere. In addition, add shells, stones, wood, plants, and herbs to create a relaxing and welcoming environment. These elements can help recreate the authentic feeling of being at the beach.
• Warm colours like yellow, orange, and blue can create a cosy and relaxing atmosphere in your beachfront apartment. These colours blend perfectly with natural elements, generating a unique and memorable decoration that will attract your guests.
• Functionality is key in a vacation rental. Furniture with storage space is ideal for storing towels, beach toys, and other accessories. Also, lightweight furniture allows for easy changes in the decoration layout.

How to decorate a city rental?

Decorating an apartment in the city that you plan to rent is a task that can make a difference in the appeal and value of your property. To create a cosy and attractive space that appeals to a wide variety of urban tenants, you can follow these tips:

• Start by choosing a neutral colour palette as a base. Colours like white, grey, and beige provide a blank canvas that makes the space feel more spacious and bright. Then, you can add pops of colour through accessories and decorative elements such as cushions, curtains, or paintings. This strategy allows tenants to personalise the space according to their preferences.
• Proper lighting can completely transform the atmosphere of a space. Combine different types of lighting, such as ambient, task, and decorative lighting. Pendant lamps, recessed lights, and floor lamps are elements that can add a distinctive and functional touch to the apartment.
• Storage space is essential in a city apartment. Look for furniture that offers smart storage solutions, such as beds with integrated drawers, built-in shelves, or multifunctional furniture. Keeping the space tidy and organised is crucial for tenants to feel comfortable.
• Invest in high-quality details in the kitchen and bathroom to add a touch of luxury to the apartment. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and modern faucets can make these areas stand out and be more attractive to tenants.
• Technology can enhance your guests’ experience. Consider including technological features such as advanced security systems, smart thermostats, or state-of-the-art infotainment devices to make the apartment stand out in a competitive market.

How to decorate a holiday rental in the countryside?

Decorating a rental in a rural area is an opportunity to embrace the natural beauty of the surroundings and create a cosy retreat for your guests. Here are some ideas:

• Start by choosing a colour palette inspired by the surrounding nature. Soft tones of green, brown, beige, and blue can evoke the tranquillity and beauty of the countryside. These colours also help the space feel more connected to the rural environment.
• Opt for rustic furniture that reflects country living. Natural wood furniture with wrought iron or wicker details can add an authentic touch. Ensure that the furniture is comfortable so that your guests feel at home.
• Decoration in a rural setting is enriched by introducing natural elements. Incorporate details such as branches, logs, stones, or even furniture made from recycled pallets.
• Use natural textiles like cotton, linen, and wool in curtains, rugs, and cushions. These materials add a cosy and soft feeling to the space. Opt for nature-inspired prints, such as leaves or flowers, for a rural touch.
• If possible, a fireplace or wood-burning stove can be a charming focal point in a rural rental. Not only do they provide warmth on colder nights, but they also contribute to creating a cosy and romantic atmosphere.
• The kitchen is the heart of any rural home. Create a country-style kitchen with wooden cabinets, rustic tiles, and a large dining table. You can even provide local utensils and products for guests to enjoy rural gastronomy.
• Make the most of natural light. Keep windows bare or use light curtains that allow daylight into the space. At night, use floor and table lamps with soft shades to create cosy lighting.
• If you have access to outdoor spaces, such as a garden or porch, decorating them with comfortable outdoor furniture and rural decorative elements will allow guests to fully enjoy the beauty of the countryside.

Showcase your decor in the holiday rental ads

Once you’ve decorated your holiday rental property with excellent furniture and interior decorations, it’s crucial to ensure that your listings on platforms like Holidu properly reflect this transformation. This will not only boost your listing’s rating but also attract guests looking for a premium and stylish experience.

Finally, here are some tips to highlight the decoration in your ads:

• Professional Photos: It’s always an excellent idea to consider hiring a professional photographer. An experienced photographer can capture the essence and details of your property more effectively. Their photos can enhance the quality of your space and attract guests’ attention.
• High-Quality Photography: If you choose to take photos yourself, make sure to follow high-quality photography tips. This includes using good lighting, framing photos properly, and highlighting the most attractive aspects of your property.
• Update: Don’t forget to replace old photos in your listings with new images that reflect the recent decoration. Recent and attractive images grab the attention of potential guests.
• Spread Your Listings: Use platforms with channel manager services like Holidu, which not only allows you to post your ads on its own platform but also on others like Airbnb or Booking.com. This way, you ensure that your changes in property decoration are seen by the largest number of people possible.

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